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Titanic: Death On The Water
Fascinating fictional retelling of the events
that led to the tragedy of the Titanic, based on documents from the National Archives.
A boy works in the dockyard where the Titanic
is being built, then gets a job on the ship. As he witnesses a series
of mistakes, short-cuts and bad decisions, he becomes more and more
worried about what could happen. But he’s preoccupied by his rivalry
with a fellow ship’s boy and doesn’t realise the full scale of what’s happening until it’s too late...
that led to the tragedy of the Titanic, based on documents from the National Archives.
A boy works in the dockyard where the Titanic
is being built, then gets a job on the ship. As he witnesses a series
of mistakes, short-cuts and bad decisions, he becomes more and more
worried about what could happen. But he’s preoccupied by his rivalry
with a fellow ship’s boy and doesn’t realise the full scale of what’s happening until it’s too late...
127 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2012
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19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 25, 2012
Titanic: Death on the Water is a fictional retelling of events on board the Titanic.
There is something about the tragedy of the Titanic which fascinates my students and with the anniversary of the sinking just a few months away, I know there will be many requests for stories about it so I was delighted when I received this book for review.
Titanic: Death on the Water is the story of the 1912 disaster but it is more importantly the story of Billy. He is fourteen and at the beginning of the story is attending the funeral of his father who died working in the Belfast shipyard. Billy doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. He is afraid of the shipyard and the authors create a tangible sense of the dangers of working in such an environment. After his father’s death, Billy takes his chance to build a different life for himself and secures himself a job as a bellboy aboard the Titanic.
Billy’s journey sees him encounter many people on board the ship – some who warm to his charm and some who see him as a rival. The authors created an endearing character in Billy – he is brave and down to earth. There is a light touch of Irish expression to his dialogue which adds to his cheerful, chipper character.
The story is fast paced and the chapters are short. I only wish there were a few illustrations to compliment the wonderful writing and aid the reading of this book for emerging readers. There are well-chosen details about the ship bringing it to life without slowing the action.
Titanic: Death on the Water is the story of the sinking of the Titanic. It is a tale of courage in the face of adversity and the bravery of ordinary people. Highly accessible, this book will be enjoyed by younger readers in the school library.
There is something about the tragedy of the Titanic which fascinates my students and with the anniversary of the sinking just a few months away, I know there will be many requests for stories about it so I was delighted when I received this book for review.
Titanic: Death on the Water is the story of the 1912 disaster but it is more importantly the story of Billy. He is fourteen and at the beginning of the story is attending the funeral of his father who died working in the Belfast shipyard. Billy doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. He is afraid of the shipyard and the authors create a tangible sense of the dangers of working in such an environment. After his father’s death, Billy takes his chance to build a different life for himself and secures himself a job as a bellboy aboard the Titanic.
Billy’s journey sees him encounter many people on board the ship – some who warm to his charm and some who see him as a rival. The authors created an endearing character in Billy – he is brave and down to earth. There is a light touch of Irish expression to his dialogue which adds to his cheerful, chipper character.
The story is fast paced and the chapters are short. I only wish there were a few illustrations to compliment the wonderful writing and aid the reading of this book for emerging readers. There are well-chosen details about the ship bringing it to life without slowing the action.
Titanic: Death on the Water is the story of the sinking of the Titanic. It is a tale of courage in the face of adversity and the bravery of ordinary people. Highly accessible, this book will be enjoyed by younger readers in the school library.
April 5, 2012
The shipyard has always been a part of Billy’s life. His Da worked there and would take Billy around, introducing him to the men, listening to their morbid jokes about the hazards of working in such a dangerous place.
But then Billy finds himself with a job there…something he fought hard against. Billy and his Da are hard at work on the newest ship being built in their yard. The Titanic.
Billy’s fear of the shipyard is amplified when his Da falls to this death from the side of the enormous liner. But an idea occurs to him. Maybe he could get a job on board it…
The sinking of the Titanic is something almost everybody has heard about, seen films about, or read books about at some time or another. Titanic, Death on the Water is one of the first I’ve read that is totally accessible for children. Billy is a charming character, hard working and likeable. As he scurries about his duties on the ship, we are taken back in time and shown for ourselves how opulent and grand the ship truly was.
Billy is around for key moments that lead to the demise of the Titanic. We are introduced to Mr Ismay, Mr Andrews and Captain Smith, just a handful of men who were greatly involved with the ship.
The reader isn’t hit over the head with details and minute facts that weigh down the story. Billy explains to us easily what it was like and the heroic lengths people go to save another person. This book sent shivers down my spine and was so well written I felt the water lapping at my feet.
But then Billy finds himself with a job there…something he fought hard against. Billy and his Da are hard at work on the newest ship being built in their yard. The Titanic.
Billy’s fear of the shipyard is amplified when his Da falls to this death from the side of the enormous liner. But an idea occurs to him. Maybe he could get a job on board it…
The sinking of the Titanic is something almost everybody has heard about, seen films about, or read books about at some time or another. Titanic, Death on the Water is one of the first I’ve read that is totally accessible for children. Billy is a charming character, hard working and likeable. As he scurries about his duties on the ship, we are taken back in time and shown for ourselves how opulent and grand the ship truly was.
Billy is around for key moments that lead to the demise of the Titanic. We are introduced to Mr Ismay, Mr Andrews and Captain Smith, just a handful of men who were greatly involved with the ship.
The reader isn’t hit over the head with details and minute facts that weigh down the story. Billy explains to us easily what it was like and the heroic lengths people go to save another person. This book sent shivers down my spine and was so well written I felt the water lapping at my feet.
November 13, 2013
Would definitely use it as a read-aloud for the school Titanic project.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews