Flora Delargy

First sentence: The year was 1912 and it was the golden age of steam travel. In one of the world's busiest ports, great liners like floating hotels were docked, each hoping to outpace the other across the Atlantic. Before steamships, ocean travel had been fraught with danger and journeys were long and tiresome.

Premise/plot: I'd describe this one as an oversized illustrated nonfiction book for readers of all ages. It is a GREAT fit for elementary age readers. Yet, I could see adult enthusiasts enjoying this one as well.

This one is the story of two ships, two voyages. Carpathia and Titanic. The focus is on the Carpathia--no doubt about it. She was THE SHIP that came to responded to Titanic's distress calls. She was THE SHIP that changed course, risked its own danger from the icebergs, and came to rescue Titanic's survivors. They expected to find a Titanic in distress. What they found, I'm sure was haunting. They rescued those that they could. It is the story of that night/morning.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the illustrations. They are so absolutely fantastic. I loved the story as well. It breaks down the chronology of that night. It provides perspectives from both ships. Each spread features a CLOCK. I found this effective.

This book is SO WONDERFUL at what it does. Tell the story in a way that readers of all ages--but especially elementary grade readers--can grasp. It's a compelling read. Super happy to recommend this one.… (mehr)

Even a handful of copy-edit errors and lingering questions* didn't mar my enjoyment of and absorption with this book. There are countless books about the Titanic, but focusing on the Carpathia instead gives this a unique point of view; also, although it doesn't shy away from the tragic loss of life, it shifts the focus to the helpers, including Captain Rostron and the wireless radio operators on both ships. Rescuing Titanic straddles the line between informational and narrative nonfiction: relevant information about navigation, routes, crew and passengers, life aboard, and Morse code are included on their own page spreads, while on each narrative page spread, an analog clock keeps time. Beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations are accurate and detailed, including cross-sections of the ship.

Back matter includes a glossary, sources, and further reading; endpapers show a pattern of the Titanic and the Carpathia and compass roses.

Even math teachers may find a use for this book, asking, if there were ## mail bags on the ship carrying ## letters each, how many letters were on board? If the Carpathia was 58 nautical miles away from the Titanic when she heard the distress call, and the Titanic had 90 minutes from impact to sinking, how fast in knots would the Carpathia have to travel to reach the Titanic in time? If there were 2,200 passengers and crew aboard the Titanic, and 706 were saved, how many perished? If a lifeboat could carry 65 people but was sent off with only 27, how many empty seats were there?

*Which ships were closer to the Titanic than the Carpathia when Titanic sent her CQD/SOS call? Why didn't they go to her aid? Why didn't the Carpathia hear the Titanic's call when it was first sent?… (mehr)