Lifeboat 12 tells the story of Ken’s journey from the bombing of London, England in WWII. Ken is 13 years-old and lives with his dad, stepmother, and little half-sister. He is poor and always seems to be in trouble with school, the apple farmer, and especially his stepmom. When the Germans start bombing London, his parents sign him up for evacuation to Canada. Ken does not want to go and suspects that it is a plan by his stepmother to finally get rid of him. His dad says he is one of the lucky ones when he is selected to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares. Ken decides he will go and start a new life in Canada.
Life aboard the luxury ship is grand. There is every kind of food imaginable and you can ask for as many helpings you want. Ken makes new friends and is seen as a helper and a leader on board instead of a troublemaker and a problem. He is glad to start his new life and be far from the bombs and rations of London.
Ken and the other children aboard SS City of Benares fear that a Nazi Uboat will torpedo them. They are required to wear their life jackets at all times. The ship’s officers run evacuation drills and show the children how the lifeboats work. After five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they are out of danger. They are wrong!
Like The War That Saved My Life, this novel is based on true events during the bombing of London in WWII. Lifeboat 12 tells the story of a boy’s harrowing experience trying to cross the Atlantic, and his realization that believing in one another is their only chance of survival.
SC Book Award Nominee 2020-2021 *A Junior Library Guild Selection *A 2019 Golden Kite Middle Grade Fiction Award Winner *2019 ALSC Notable Book *2019 Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Meg Cantrell | Children's Room Librarian
In the year 1940, life in Paris for young Sara is comfortable. Her affluent parents assure she has the finest of everything—but that all changes when Germany begins to invade France.
“Promise me, you will wear your boots to school,” Her father’s simple request leaves Sara baffled, but she decides to listen to her father—sort-of. She quickly switches into her new shiny, red Mary Janes when she arrives at school. A decision she quickly regrets when her teachers rush her and fellow Jewish classmates out the door to seek refuge in woods. Sara does not want to spoil her new shoes so she hides in the school’s bell tower. She quietly watches as the Nazi soldiers interrogate the teachers about the missing children. She knows if she stays in the bell tower, the soldiers will eventually discover her. How will she escape?
In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, read where Sara’s life takes her. With the help of an unlikely hero, she survives the tragedy that claimed the lives of so many. The audiobook is read by a full cast of talented actors that bring the story to life—it’s worth a read and a listen!
**The graphic novel is attached as a PDF.
Recommended by Emily Johansson | Children's Room Reading Specialist
In this story, 11 year-old Petra finds herself trying to hold together her family, her home and her country. Petra has grown up on the southern coast of England. Her father works as a lighthouse keeper and the family lives next to the lighthouse. Growing up in a dual nationality home is of little consequence until Hitler advances towards England. Now having a mother who was born in Germany causes a great deal of stress for Petra's family. W.W.II is the backdrop for this story of loyalty, trust, patriotism, and forgiveness.
Our Castle by the Sea is excellently written historical fiction for middle grade readers. I felt challenged by Petra's ability to face her fears and carry some very heavy secrets to protect other people's integrity.
Recommended by Paula Coonce | Children's Room Associate
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