(2) K-3 Illustrated by Diana Sudyka. The day Angela is born, the glacier Snaefellsjokull (a real Icelandic landmark) appears from behind a cloudy cover. Later, her father helps her learn the glacier's name as they hike to the peak: "Snae (left foot) fells (right foot) jo (left foot) kull (right foot)." Angela looks at, listens to, and speaks to the glacier, and bares her hands to feel its icy surface as she shares her emotions (fears such as falling off her bike; missing her dad when he's at work). Sudyka's contrasting, often translucent watercolors balance the cool swaths of blues and greens across the face of the glacier with lines etched across its frozen surface. Over time, Angela's days fill up with "school, friends, violin, soccer, bike rides, homework." But something isn't quite right, and her father asks if she's been to Snaefellsjokull lately. Scott's narrative uncovers the healing, centering power of nature and reciprocity of care between humankind and the natural world. Though the story does not outwardly call for environmental conservation, a note from interdisciplinary artist-researcher Angela Rawlings (Scott's friend and the book's inspiration) discusses the detrimental impact of climate change on Snaefellsjokull.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kitty Moss. Kilgore introduces readers to a popular Icelandic tradition, where people give one another books on Christmas Eve and then read all night long. Her free-verse text sets the mood, a mix of awe and excitement as it describes the build-up to December 24 ("Could it be? That one there? Tucked just out of sight? / Yes, that magical book to bring loved ones joy"). The art complements the text, following one little girl's search for the perfect books. Moss's gorgeous full-bleed collage illustrations appropriately feature printed paper, and their rich hues perfectly capture the beauty of the northern lights. An author's note explains more about the Christmas Book Flood tradition.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(4) YA A year after his transgender, internet-celebrity girlfriend Vivian's attempted suicide left her in a coma, eighteen-year-old pansexual Miles visits Iceland to try to move on. Miles's fluid understanding of gender and sexuality feels current, and the distinct Icelandic culture and landscape provides a rich, provocative backdrop for his emotional recovery. Unfortunately, Vivian's flat, stereotypical characterization--related through Miles's instant messages to her--is disappointing.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Burns travels with entomologist Erling Ólafsson on one of his yearly expeditions to Surtsey, a pristine volcanic island that formed off Iceland's coast in 1964. Burns meticulously documents life in a remote field station as researchers record Surtsey's unfolding ecological dynamics, observing growth and diversification of life. Vivid photographs convey the rocky landscapes of Surtsey and its inhabitants. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) 4-6 Owen and his grandfather go on a spur-of-the-moment trip from Canada to Iceland. Owen is determined to retrieve his own notebook, accidentally sent to Icelandic archives by Granddad in place of a famous Icelandic poet's journal. Information about real-life poet Stephan Stephansson is woven into the earnest intergenerational family drama; Owen's concern for his increasingly forgetful grandfather is more compelling than the subplot involving Owen's secret notebook.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 1-3 Ranger in Time series. Illustrated by Kelley McMorris. Time-traveling rescue dog Ranger finds himself in Viking Age Iceland with self-sufficient Helga; together they journey through the ash and smoke of an erupting volcano to find Helga's father before her new baby sibling arrives. This installment is an adventurous, vivid, and well-researched historical piece, with brisk chapters of easily flowing text and full-page black-and-white illustrations. Author's note included. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) YA In this Icelandic import we enter a world of spare darkness, with a landscape of lava rock and steep cliffs, that is steeped in stories of tragedy. Two boys meet in a foster home on a farm. Henry is deeply anxious, borderline illiterate, and incapable of human connection. Ollie, much younger, is a kind of fey visionary. A deeply engaging, anti-sentimental story.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) YA That he's hard to get along with is quite the understatement when it comes to Barbarian Lord, the flawed hero of this energetic, epic black-and-white graphic novel. Using his mind and muscle he exacts revenge on villain Skullmaster for stealing his farmland. Battles with trolls, witches, and man-beasts are knitted with Icelandic lore, making this book appealing to lovers of heroic fantasy stories.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) YA In this Icelandic import, thirteen-year-old Josh has a lot on his mind--his father has been gone for a year, his mom works non-stop, his older girl cousin moves in, he's teased, and he's in love with classmate Clara--but his secret seaside haven helps him think. Josh's voice is artificial and some issues are raised then unexamined, but Erlings's portrayal of adolescent boyhood is often funny.

Reviewer:

(2) K-3 Fledgling puffins journeying from their nests to the sea are confused by nighttime lights from towns. In Iceland, on the island of Heimaey, children take part in a generations-old puffin search-and-rescue tradition. As they tour the island with researchers, then join a night patrol, the Lewins capture the beauty of the landscape and the awkwardly amusing appeal of the birds.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(3) 4-6 Taste of Culture series. Positing that a nation's cuisine springs from its geography, history, and traditions, these volumes survey the flavors of the title countries. Availability of fresh ingredients is covered, along with celebratory foods and snacking habits. Culturally specific ingredients are described alongside accompanying recipes and photos of people enjoying uniquely Icelandic, Afghan, English, or Moroccan dishes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Taste of Culture titles: Foods of Afghanistan, Foods of England, Foods of Iceland, and Foods of Morocco.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Toby has been paralyzed since birth; Emma is a Sudanese refugee. They're the only descendants of the rightful king of a fantasy kingdom beneath Iceland, and it's up to them to save the land from tyranny. While the plot becomes a scaffold for predictable conflict scenes, and Toby and Emma are more two-dimensional than real, the story contains a dramatic setting and cool fantasy inventions.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(3) YA Desperately searching for her missing mother, sixteen-year-old Haley visits Iceland and becomes entangled in an ancient spell that could destroy the world. Each of the disparate characters struggles to accept the circumstances of his or her own life, grounding the fantastical plot. Icelandic sagas and mythologies build a rich framework; the sincerity of the characters' flaws and longings resonates most strongly.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(2) 1-3 Horse Diaries series. Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson. In Elska, a silver dapple Icelandic horse living in Iceland in 1000 CE, tells about her life. The Morgan colt in Bell's Star carries a runaway slave to Canada and learns about freedom. This straight-from-the-horses'-mouths series, though overly emotional and anthropomorphic for adults, is perfect for its primary-grade horse-loving audience. Occasional black-and-white illustrations and fact-filled appendices add much to both stories. Review covers these Horse Diaries titles: Elska and Bell's Star.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(1) YA In this Manitoba-set story, secrets stalk three generations of women: teenage Odella, her mother Sally, and Odella's great-aunt, Gloria. Brooks separates her novel into three parts: bleak "Winter," thawing "Spring," and smoldering "Summer." The book expands its exceedingly well-told tale of teenage romance with equally absorbing stories of adults who've played the tricky game of love.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2007

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gunnella. Taking a walk in windy Iceland can be challenging, so the village ladies--assisted by helpful chickens--plant trees to block the wind. The droll humor of Gunnella's oil paintings is a perfect match for McMillan's wry, economical text. Having successfully solved The Problem with Chickens in their first collaboration, the creators deliver another amusingly unconventional tale.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008

(3) YA Irish princess Melkorka is taken by slave traders to become the concubine of an Icelandic chieftain. She realizes that not speaking gives her power over her superstitious captors, who suspect she's an enchantress. Napoli maps Melkorka's transformation from haughty, spoiled princess to slave and, ultimately, survivor. Additionally, she sketches fascinating details of various medieval cultures.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker

(3) K-3 Friðrik, with blond hair and flushed cheeks, enjoys a day with each of his grandfathers fishing in Icelandic waters. In a thoughful text, readers learn how to identify a lumpfish and a cod as well as the different techniques for catching them. Crystal clear photos capture the dramatic coast as well as the warm relationships among three generations.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ulrike Heyne. In this companion to Winter Pony, Anna begins training her pony in the advent of an Icelandic summer. Gently securing him with a halter and rope, Anna leads Prince along until a noisy tractor spooks the pony. With Grandmother's help, Anna regains her pony's trust. Full-bleed art beautifully showcases the pastoral landscape, wind-blown manes, and tomboy Anna.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(2) K-3 Returning to the setting of Nights of the Pufflings, McMillan features the reintroduction of eider ducks to a small Icelandic island. This story, illustrated with clear, crisp photos, focuses on a girl who is in charge of raising a host of ducklings from eggs. The book's final page includes helpful field guide photos of the ducks, additional information, and an adult-level bibliography.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2002