Ice Palace

Book Summaries

Author: Deborah Blumenthal
Title: Ice Palace
Publishing information: Houghton Mifflin Company, Oct. 20, 2003, beginner
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: picture book, Informational
Summary of Plot: A little Girl talks about the winter festival in her home town. The book covers the traditions, the history of the festivals. The workers, who build the ice palace, are unique because they are prisoners at the prison.
Your Reaction to the book: I felt that this book had too many words and tons of explanation for a picture book. I learned how ice was harvested before machines, and the history of the town’s winter festival.
Potential Problems: Inmates were the ones building the center piece. It glorified the workers and the girl was appreciative to them. I think we should encourage kids to avoid going to jail, and how it’s not pleasing, and they don’t contribute to society.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a lesson that helps kids see why they want to avoid prison. I think in the right light it can be very helpful.