Plot: 13 year old Kenneth Sparks is about to make a life changing journey across the Atlantic. The year is 1940 and the Nazis are bombing London, day and night. To keep their child safe, Ken’s parents enroll him in the CORB(Children’s Overseas Reception Board) program in which children leave UK and go to different places of the British Empire. Ken goes onto the S.S City Of Benares. Halfway through his journey, the ship is torpedoed and is sinking. Ken is put on Lifeboat 12, with 5 other children and many other sailors and stewards. They only have 8 days worth of water, sardines, and ship’s biscuits. The waves constantly pound the lifeboat. Some of the children get trench foot and have to bear with dehydration and extreme pain. Ken lives through this all, and suffers with them. Eventually, he makes it out, alive! This story is of his-and his fellow boatsmen-and their incredible story of survival. This book is based on true events.
Likes: I like this book since it is about-you guessed it- History! The story is woven in such a way that it is easy to understand, yet gives intriguing details of the ship and the lifeboat, along with its passengers. However, the story itself is a little serious and sad.
Recommendations: I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in shipwrecks, survival stories, and history. However, the best category of readers for this book would be 9 plus since some details are quite serious and the story can scare or sadden younger readers.
Rating: 4/5
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