First Light by Rebecca Stead

Reviewed by: Samantha

First Light is a fictional book about a young boy named Peter and a young girl named Thea. Peter is currently living in New York when his father gets assigned a job of research for global warming out on the Greenland ice. Peter, a thirteen year old, and his mother ,father and a helper Jonas fly to Greenland and live their for six weeks. Peter has some ups and downs living in Greenland. He likes Greenland because he gets to miss school and he has a favorite snow dog-Sasha. He dislikes Greenland because it is cold and boring. And he has these awful headaches and not so good food. Thea was born in a world under the ice of Greenland. She is thirteen years old and lives with her Aunt Lana because her mother passed away. She has very strong beliefs and ideas. She always follows her dreams, even if it involves danger and getting into trouble.

When Peter first arrives in Greenland his parents are strict about what to do. They wouldn’t let him roam around or stay home alone or anything! After a little while Peter convinces them to let him be “home” alone. When he finally is allowed to stay “home” alone his parents and Jonas go down to the nearest town (a couple of miles a way) and Peter is left alone. Peter gets worried because they aren’t back yet and freaks out. When they do come back he plays cool but he never stays “home” alone again. Thea and her people under the ice run a small town under the ice called Gracehope. Thea has a strong personality and tells out what she believes in the Council meeting. Everyone disagrees with her and tries to find a way to show proof of her beliefs by having her cousin Mattias help her. Her dangerous risks of life doesn’t stop her. Mattias keeps telling her to turn back but Thea doesn’t listen. Then Mattias’ life almost comes to an end.

This book is interesting. The beginning is starts of slow but then the book gets intense and the ending is superb. I would definitely recommend this book for people who like intense books.