Stranded!
STRANDED!: A MOSTLY TRUE STORY FROM ICELAND
by Ævar Þór Benediktsson, illustrated by Anne Wilson
Barefoot Books | 2023
This book has it all: volcanoes, mythology, adventure, and Iceland! The author’s grandfather and his friend had the adventure of a lifetime in 1964, surviving the odds while being stranded on an active volcanic island for more than 48 hours. The author tells us right at the beginning that everything in the story is true, except ONE thing. Readers will enjoy trying to figure out what that one thing is as they read the story. The back matter includes helpful information on Iceland, Norse mythology, volcanoes, the island of Surtsey and more. The bright and creative illustrations weave mythological characters into the true story using inks, monoprints, and drawings on paper that were further developed digitally.
Discussion questions
It is thrilling to witness natural events as they unfold. Seeing a volcanic island being born is amazing, but dangerous. What other events in nature are exciting to see first hand? The northern lights (Aurora Borealis) are mentioned as common in Iceland. Have you ever experienced seeing them? How about a solar eclipse?
After reading the book, where do you think this book should live in the library? Volcanoes (551.2)? Iceland (949.12)? Adventure? Picture books (E)? Biography (92/B)? How does where a book is shelved impact who reads it?
This is a story from his family. Can you think of a family story that would be good to write down to share with others?
Vocabulary
Stranded - being stuck somewhere with no way to get back to where you need to
Northern lights - also known as the Aurora Borealis. Phenomenon in the sky where curtains or pulses of colored light appear (freepik.com)
Ventured - to go ahead in the face of danger
Castaways - left without resources; adrift like survivors of a shipwreck
Thermos - insulated container used to keep food or drinks hot
Coincidence - the occurrence of events happening at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection
Photo from Space.com
Photo from Amazon
Video content
Author Read Aloud (YouTube, 24m) - Benediktsson starts reading at 3:27m, finishes around 16:30m. Includes backmatter and some Q&A.
The Birth of Surtsey Island (YouTube,1:17m) - Includes how there is plant and animal life there today.
Birth of an Island | Explorers in the Field - Surtsey (YouTube, 3:55m) Bob Ballard.
What it's like to visit an active volcano, with Jess Phoenix, Volcanologist (3:08m)
An introduction to Iceland! (YouTube, 3:07m) - A tourist video with no narration. Stunning landscapes. Includes one brief scene at a restaurant with wine glasses.
Publisher content
Publisher Discussion guide (1 page PDF)
Activities
Pack up some snacks and go on an adventure with your class or group! Think about what you should take with you. Maybe soup? Have a plan for how to get back. Leave a note that lets someone know where you are headed and your planned return time (just in case!). Have fun and take some photos. Maybe think of ONE "untrue" thing to tell upon your return!
Gather different things that will melt with heat (chocolate, marshmallows, jello, ice, ice cream, etc.) and see how long it takes in a microwave or oven or stovetop or in the sun. Imagine how hot it must’ve been to melt plastic glasses inside a pocket!
Celebrate International Day of Volcanoes - April 10th or Icelandic National Day - June 17th.
Find an expert! Invite a geologist or volcanologist to talk to you about volcanoes. Or someone who has traveled to Iceland to share about their trip with you.
Play 2 truths and a lie. Write down 2 things that are true about you and one thing that isn’t. Then have others guess which one is the lie.
Hold a book scavenger hunt using topics of islands, volcanoes, Iceland, chocolate, orange, juice, soup, glasses, radio, photography, explorer, scientist, fishing boat, gnomes, Norse mythology (Thor, Freya, Loki, Odin, etc.), trolls, wishes, helicopter, 1964 (1960s), and Surtsey.
Ævar Þór Benediktsson
Author
www.AevarWritesBooks.com
This Icelandic actor and author has published over 30 books including many chapter books for young readers, with this being his first in English! His others look very interesting, but they are in Icelandic. We’ll have to wait for translated versions. He is a champion for reading and has served as a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF. He lives in “Reykjavík, Iceland, with his fiancée, 4 year old son and a cat named Elvis”.
Anne Wilson
Illustrator
anne-wilson.co.uk
@annewilsonillustration
“It was an absolute joy to illustrate, I loved exploring the culture of Iceland where the story is set, and all the folk tales steeped in its history. Not to mention the molten lava and of course the Norse Gods and trolls!” The artist and illustrator was born on an island: Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. It’s a very interesting place to learn about that you can only move to if you have been hired for a job (or are part of that family). The island is tiny and they have to limit residents to those who work there due to the lack of housing and space available. Anne lives in South Oxfordshire county, England, near Reading.
Companion books
KABOOM! A VOLCANO ERUPTS
Jessica Kulekjian
illlus. Zoe Si
Kids Can Press, 2023
A TRIP TO THE TOP OF THE VOLCANO WITH MOUSE
Frank Viva
TOON Books, 2019
SURTSEY: THE NEWEST PLACE ON EARTH
Kathryn Lasky
illus. Christopher Knight
Hyperion Book, 1992
ICELAND
Lisa Owings
Blastoff! Readers, 2012