Bunting,
E. (1996). SOS Titanic. San Diego: Harcourt Brace.
Everyone knows the story of the Titanic and that it ended
badly. Have you ever wondered how only 705 people managed to survive?
When fifteen-year-old Barry O’Neill reluctantly sets sail from
Queenstown, he’s leaving the only home he’s ever known in Ireland. The fighting Flynn brothers have been forced
to leave too, and they blame the O’Neills. Barry doesn’t want any trouble from
the Flynns and his heart goes out to Pegeen, the oldest sister who must
accompany her brothers. Barry is a first class passenger and thankful the
fighting Flynns will be far away, below decks in steerage where they can’t make
good on their threats to throw Barry overboard.
Shortly after the voyage begins, Barry develops a
superstitious unease. Part of the crew deserted before sailing, and a fellow
passenger is reading a novel about a ship named Titan that hit an iceberg and
sank. The Captain takes Barry on a tour to ease his fears, but Barry counts the
lifeboats and realizes only half the passengers could fit. He also learns the
crew wasn’t supplied with enough binoculars, so the Captain placed the
sharp-eyed men in the crow’s nest and saved binoculars for the bridge.
Then Barry learns that Pegeen and her cabin-mate have no
room to store lifejackets. He tries to send her a note of warning. Besides, he
can’t stop thinking about her. The Flynns jump him but he doesn’t heed their
warning to stay away from Pegeen. She is by his side when they hear the gentle
ripping sound along the side of the boat, just before the Titanic rolls to a
stop.
As impatience turns to panic among passengers, Barry and
Pegeen are separated. When the upper decks begin to tilt, Barry races to save
Pegeen, her brothers, and himself. Who will escape this tragedy alive?
When the Titantic finally sent out her distress signal, it
was SOS, the first time in history SOS was used. I hope you’ll enjoy the
suspense in SOS Titanic, by Eve
Bunting.
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