Torpedoed
The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
A riveting true story of World War II, Torpedoed chronicles the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which evacuated children from England. Don't miss this YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist from critically acclaimed author Deborah Heiligman.
Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board.
When the war ships escorting the Benares departed, a German submarine torpedoed what became known as the Children's Ship. Out of tragedy, ordinary people became heroes. This is their story.
More Awards and Praise for Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship":
Golden Kite Award Winner
A Hornbook Fanfare Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
★ "A must-read for all."—School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story." —Horn Book, starred review
★ "Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath." —Booklist, starred review
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this gripping account, Heiligman (Vincent and Theo) relates the September 1940 attack by a German submarine on the British passenger ship SS City of Benares, which killed 258 people, including 77 children. In unflinching detail, the book depicts the often fatal struggles of enduring a torpedo strike at sea, as well as the selfless acts of those striving to keep other passengers alive. Distinguished by expertly woven research, including the author's own interviews, the book focuses on the 90 Children's Overseas Reception Board children who were being sent, like others before them, to safety in Canada. The volume describes the families' tearful farewells and then the children's delight during the first days on "the floating palace." Frequent hints of the approaching disaster build momentum as the attack nears, and the tension increases dramatically as the narrative shifts to riveting individual stories of those awaiting rescue in lifeboats or on rafts. Accompanied by photographs and illustrations and including documentation of all who were on board, this is a harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 10 14.
