First Light is a journey of two teenagers somehow connected but thousands of miles away from each other. The book is written from different perspectives of Peter and Thea. Peter lives in New York with his parents, his dad is a glaciologist someone who studies glaciers. His mom is a biologist that studies DNA and has a project that she never talks about with Peter. Thea lives in an icy private world and shut out from the outside word. Tradition maintains that her people were destined to be there in their own private world. She is motherless and want to discover the past and can't understand why her grandmother is against her plans. Peter's dad announced that he is going on an expedition to Greenland and after much discussion it is decided that Peter's mom and Peter will be going. His parents are apprehensive but Peter is anxious to experience a trip of a lifetime.
Stead intertwines the narrative of Peter and Thea, their lives and experiences. Both feel there is something calling them to another place. Is there connection between Peter and Thea and how will affect those they love?
First Light highlights the craving of wanting to discover more about the past and exploring mysteries that don't add up in our lives. Also, the feelings of questioning authority and the status quo of community or culture.
First Light is reminiscent of The Giver, the comparison of the two books could be a good classroom connection. These book studies can lead to discussion of why did the established authorities wanted to have a closed world and the benefits/disadvantages of the viewpoint. Compare and contrast how that reflects our lives and other places around the world. First Light is Stead's first novel and is Parents’ Choice Award Winner. Her second novel, When You Reach Me won the 2010 Newbery Award.
First Light Book Trailer by Terry Ramirez
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