Each short poem made me want to read the next one. Despite its length, it reads quickly as it is not a traditional prose novel but a novel in verse. I found the book incredibly compelling and read it in one sitting. The book ends with extensive backmatter relaying the actual facts (although it appears the fictional story stays very close to the true one), sources for more information, and archival photographs. It covers a little of everything from bombings to rations to warfare. Ken and roughly 40 people (children, adults, and crewman) scramble aboard Lifeboat 12 and are soon adrift on sea waiting for rescue.Based on a true story, this historical fiction novel was riveting and tells a lesser-known story from this period of history. But their ride is quickly torpedoed and the children are forced to abandon ship. This book is based on the real-life story of Ken Sparks, a 13-year-old British boy who boards a boat bound for Canada with a bunch of other children ages 5 to 15 in hopes of avoiding the Blitz at home. Will they get away? Will they survive?Īward-winning author Susan Hood brings this little-known World War II story to life in a riveting novel of courage, hope, and compassion. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. And after five days at sea, the ship's officers announce that they're out of danger. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand-nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum's glare. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he's one of the lucky ones-one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada.

With Nazis bombing London every night, it's time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. In the tradition of The War That Saved My Life and Stella by Starlight, this poignant novel in verse based on true events tells the story of a boy's harrowing experience on a lifeboat after surviving a torpedo attack during World War II.