Lifeboat 5

(Paperback, Reprint)

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A captivatingthrilling adventure story that shows the power of friendship, hope, and forgiveness. Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series

In the wake of Lifeboat 12 comes a gripping, harrowing (Publishers Weekly) World War II novel-in-verse by acclaimed author Susan Hood about two very real girls who clung together for dear life when their evacuee ship was torpedoed, their lifeboat capsized, and they spent nineteen hours in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting for rescue.

When Nazi bombs begin to destroy Bess Walders hometown of East London, Bess convinces her parents to evacuate her and her younger brother, Louis, to Canada aboard the SS City of Benares. On the journey, she meets another evacuee, Beth Cummings. Bess and Beth have a lot in commonboth strong and athletic, both named for Queen Elizabeth, both among the older kids on the ship, and both excited about life in Canada.

On the fifth day at sea, everyone starts to relax, but trouble is right behind them. That night, a Nazi U-boat torpedoes the Benares. As their luxury liner starts to sink, Bess and Beth rush to abandon ship aboard their assigned lifeboat.

Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 5 is about two young girls with the courage to persevere against the odds and the strength to forgive.

Reviews

Hoods latest is a companion story toLifeboat 12that highlights the powerful strength of friendship and family in the most perilous of events. Bess, 15, is desperate to escape the German airstrikes in London and the personal attacks made by school bullies. She convinces her parents to allow her and her 10-year-old brother, Louis, to apply to the evacuation lottery provided by the Childrens Overseas Reception Board. When they win a spot on the SSCity of Benarestraveling to Canada, Bess is ready for the fresh start. Life on a luxury liner is exciting for the 90 children and their chaperones. Bess even finds a friend who finally understands and accepts her wholeheartedly. But when a German U-Boat torpedo strikes their ship, it becomes a race against time to evacuate and survive in the frigid water until help arrives. This novel-in-verse evokes the raw emotions of a teenager, her curious brother, and the relentless sea all struggling to find peace and safety in this lesser-known tragic World War II nautical event. Extensive research, notes, and photographs offer readers a closer look at understanding the sinking of the Benares and the effects it had on the war effort and survivors. VERDICT A highly recommended purchase for all libraries who cherishedLifeboat 12and seek another inspiring true story of a young girls extraordinary resilience. -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW * 10/18/24 *
When Nazis begin bombing 15-year-old Besss East London neighborhood, she persuades her parents to apply for the opportunity for Bess and her younger brother Louis to escape on one of the childrens evacuations to Canada. Bess, Louis, and 88 other children ages five to 15 are cosseted by the kind crew of the SSCity of Benares, where she befriends Beth, also 15 and from Liverpool. On their fifth day at sea, the ship is torpedoed by a Nazi U-boat; separated from Louis, Beth and Bess rush to their assigned lifeboat, which overturns upon hitting the water. For the next 19 hours, the white-cued girls clutch to the side of the vessel, holding hands and refusing to give up, on rescue or each other. Beth and Besswho are based on real-life survivors of the same name, two of only 13 children who lived through the ordeal, as addressed in an authors notewould forever credit their unshakable friendship for saving their lives. In this gripping, harrowing novel by the author ofLifeboat 12, Hood uses thrilling first-person verse to entrance young readers and deliver a tale of perseverance, fortitude, hope, and companionship. Ages 812.Agent: Brenda Bowen, Book Group. (Oct.) -- Publishers Weekly * 8/19/2024 *
Nazi bombs are falling on London.

Trapped in the shelter, 15-year-old Bess feels under attack from bombers on the outside and bullies on the inside. She convinces her parents to apply for a program that will evacuate children to Canada, and she and little brother Louis are accepted. They set off on the SS City of Benares accompanied by a convoy of armed ships. Their escorts and the crew are kind, but the life jackets and lifeboat drills are reminders that danger is always lurking. Bess befriends fellow passenger Beth, and when a German torpedo strikes and the ship sinks, they help one another to safety but feel overwhelmed by stormy weather, loss, and despair. Is there any hope of finding Louis Bess narrates her tale in free verse that uses short, staccato lines to describe the unfolding events in sharp detail. Hood intersperses verses narrated by the sea, and others that follow Louis experiences. Bess stream-of-consciousness style expresses all her doubts, fears, and hopes, bringing readers along on her torturous adventure. The girls are ultimately rescued by the HMS Hurricane and find Louis, but only a few of the other children survive. This verse novel is inspired by unforgettable real events that will leave a lasting impression on readers.

A hopeful story about devastating events written in clear, accessible verse. (authors note, Lifeboat 5 facts, poetry notes, sources, appendix, photographs) (Verse historical fiction. 10-14)

-- Kirkus Reviews * 8/15/2024 *
"A captivating read that will engage all kinds of readers with a thrilling adventure story that shows the power of friendship, hope, and forgiveness."



-- -Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series.
Told in heartfelt, fast-paced verse, LIFEBOAT 5 is an excellent way for young readers to learn about this courageous and inspiring historical event." -- Veera Hiranandani, author ofAmil and The After and Newbery Honoree The Night Diary
This poetic rendering captures how love and hope, friendship and the will to survive can conquer all. Susan HoodsLifeboat 5defines the force of the human spirit in one historic moment. -- Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of the Scott O'Dell Winner for Historic Fiction,Lifeboat 5,authorSusanHoodshines a light on the darkness of war, reminding the reader that friendship is lifes real hero in this powerful telling. An absolute must-read!" -- Elly Swartz, author of Hidden Truths
A thrilling you-are-there survival story of wartime bravery and the unbreakable friendship between two heroic girls. Readers will be riveted from page one. -- Barbara Dee, author ofMaybe He Just Likes YouandUnstuck

Author Bio

Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, includingAdas Violin,Alias Anna,Harboring Hope,The Last Straw,Lifeboat 12, andShaking Things Up. Susan is the recipient of the E.B. White Honor Award, two Christopher Awards, the Amricas Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, and two Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Awards, given to a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people. In addition to winning many state reading awards, Susans books have been named a National Jewish Book Awards finalist, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book, a NCTE Notable Poetry Book, a NSTA Best Stem Book of the Year, an Amazon Teachers Pick, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Visit her at SusanHoodBooks.com.