The White Darkness

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature!

“Completely gripping.” —People

“Dazzling.” —The Observer

Geraldine McCaughrean—two-time Carnegie Medalist for Where the World Ends and Pack of Lies—takes readers on a spellbinding journey into the frozen heart of darkness with this lyrical, riveting, and imaginative young adult novel.

Symone "Sym" Wates is obsessed with the Antarctic and the brave, romantic figure of Captain Oates from Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole. In fact, Oates is the secret confidant to whom she spills all her hopes and fears.

But Sym's uncle Victor is even more obsessed—and when he takes her on a dream trip into the bleak Antarctic wilderness, it turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival that will challenge everything she knows and loves.

I have been in love with Titus Oates for quite a while now—which is ridiculous, since he's been dead for ninety years. But look at it this way. In ninety years I'll be dead, too, and the age difference won't matter.

Sym is not your average teenage girl. She is obsessed with the Antarctic and the brave, romantic figure of Captain Oates from Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole. In fact, Oates is the secret confidant to whom she spills all her hopes and fears.

But Sym's uncle Victor is even more obsessed—and when he takes her on a dream trip into the bleak Antarctic wilderness, it turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival that will challenge everything she knows and loves.

In her first contemporary young adult novel, Carnegie Medalist and three-time Whitbread Award winner Geraldine McCaughrean delivers a spellbinding journey into the frozen heart of darkness.

“A dazzling, pitiless story. McCaughrean’s imagination is fierce, tireless, unpredictable.” - The Observer

“Lyrical language actively engages the senses, plunging readers into a captivating landscape that challenges the boundaries of reality….This imaginative novel offers plenty of action.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Readers will find this a triply compelling tale: for its slow revelation of a deranged soul; for its young narrator, who turns out to be tougher than she or anyone else supposes; and for its wildly hostile setting, which quickly turns the secret expedition into a frantic struggle to survive.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“What makes the book truly stand out is Sym’s unique personality... and, through it all, McCaughreen’s inspired wordplay and powerful imagery.” - The Horn Book

“...the ratcheting terror, thrilling double-crosses and gorgeously articulated star character -- Antarctica itself -- combine for a girl’s adventure yarn of the first order.” - Publishers Weekly

“This is an amazing work...there is no question that McCaughrean is a fine writer.” - KLIATT

“Completely gripping.” - People

“A rip–roaring adventure yarn. With any luck it’ll be read by everyone, whatever their age. No one’s going to forget it in a hurry.” - The Guardian