Between Two Worlds, by Katherine Kirkpatrick | Book Review

Between Two Worlds

By Katherine Kirkpatrick

Age Range: 14 and up

Hardback: 304 pages

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books (April 8, 2014)

ISBN: 978-0-385-74047-0

What to expect: Historical Fiction, Inuits, Family, Culture, Exploration, Destiny

Travel back in time to the year 1900, and place yourself in the shoes of sixteen-year-old Billy Bah, who lives in the unrelenting wintry land of northern Itta, Greenland. A proud and daring Inuit, Billy Bah is a source of pride, curiosity – and even contempt – to some of her people, for she has done something nearly no other Inuit has ever done: she has travelled to, and returned from, America.

So when she sees the familiar sails of a ship returning to her homeland, Billy is happy to be of help to Robert E. Peary’s men once more. But while Billy is proud to be able to converse with the ship’s men, helping them survive the brutal conditions of her land while searching for the lost explorer, Peary, not all on-board, and off the ship, are delighted by Billy’s ability to live between two worlds. And when Billy is torn between family, cultural duties, and two loves, she herself is no longer sure of which world she lives in, and which destiny she should follow.

Katherine Kirkpatrick deftly cracks open and explores the land, customs, food, and life of the Inuit’s in the 1900s, making the reader feel like a true explorer, discovering things for the first time through their own eyes. Between Two Worlds is a captivating read, rich in sensory details that really draw the reader into the story. It’s an endearing, brave and exciting tale of what it means to fight for family and destiny, while following your heart. Perfect for the adventurer in all of us, Between Two Worlds is a beautiful, historical read for young adults and beyond.

Add this book to your collection: Between Two Worlds

About the Author

KATHERINE KIRKPATRICK is the author of many books, including Trouble’s Daughter and Keeping the Good Light. She lives in Seattle with her family.

katherinekirkpatrick.com | Twitter

Between Two Worlds, by Katherine Kirkpatrick, was reviewed by Charlie Kennedy. Follow along with our Young Adult Books category and Historical Fiction tag to discover more great books.