The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell

by Kathy-jo Wargin, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator)

The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell tells of this doomed transport ship.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, American History, Juvenile, Music

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than fifty books for adults and children. With more than 1.2 million copies sold, she writes across genres and age-groups, and has earned national recognition for award–winning titles such as Michigan’s Official State Children’s Book The Legend of Sleeping Bear, the International Reading Association’s Children's Choice Award Winner The Legend of the Loon, the Bank Street College of Education Best Book Listee The Voyageur’s Paddle, the IRA Teacher's Choice Award Winner Win One for the Gipper, and many more.

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being born and raised in Michigan, it is practically a requirement to know not only the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald but the song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. You have to be able to sing at least one full verse or they raise your property taxes. Kidding. Maybe. I just learned today that Lightfoot passed away at the 84 and have had the song stuck in my head all day. Because it rules and you should put it on right now and listen to every last verse. You are welcome. Anyways, this book by Kathy-jo Wargin is rather lovely and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen’s artwork is stunning, featuring the ship—the largest sailing the Great Lakes in its time and the largest to have sunk there—in all its glory and depicting the wicked storm that took it down on November 10, 1975. While aimed at younger readers, it is just a joy to look at and tells you the right amount of details about the famous wreck.

It’s a story that has become a big part of Michigan history. The captain would blast music from the ship when it would pass close to land and people would flock to see it pass. When it sank, all 29 of the crew went down with the ship and their bodies have never been recovered. The ship sent out no distress signal and the actual sinking is still a mystery to this day. Which are all very sad but mysterious details that have made it such a legend and nautical folk hero. This is a great little book. Now listen to the song!

[Bill Tress · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my haste to procure a history of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, I ended up with a book directed at a youthful reader. The book is well designed and has some excellent artwork of the ship.
The narrative takes the reader from Sunday, November 9, 1975 until the ship disappears within 20 miles of safe harbor at Whitefish Point. This short little narrative tells the tale in a cryptic fashion. The Fitzgerald lost its radar therefore it was sailing blind in dangerous waters. Then her vents were damaged and opened and she took on water that caused her to list in a very angry sea. A sister ship sailing within a few miles of her lost contact, they never received any warning nor distress call, she just disappeared.
In 1995, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, friend’s family, and both the Canadian and United States governments cooperated in locating the ship in 500 feet of water. They salvaged the ships bell and it is now housed in the Historical Society gallery for all to see.
While the story is told, short and sweet, I got the information that I desired and thoroughly enjoyed the sketches, so I am satisfied! I wonder what other information there could possibly be in a more extensive telling of this tragic story.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I can't believe I've lived in Michigan so long before hearing the story of this freighter that sank one night on stormy Lake Superior. I almost couldn't read the last few pages of this book. It is a well-written story, with some poetic lines mixed in. The illustrations are wonderful. A good simple history of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the 29 who died that cold November night in 1975.

[Tasha Johnson]

This informational text about the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald is filled with facts about the shipwreck in the form of an interesting story. The picture book moves through the journey this ship and it's crew took until it sunk and will definitely inform its readers. This is a great book to read when learning about the great lakes, shipping, or around the time of the year when the ship sank and the bell ceremony is going to happen.

[Meli Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my coffee table book. It's a quick but informative read. I learned a few new things by reading it, and it made me cry. It's also fully illustrated. Perfect for anyone who loves Michigan/Great Lakes history.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous red and gold warmth entwines with thrashing, raw waves and spray to tell the tragic tale of twenty nine souls struggling against the fury of Lake Superior and of the polished brass bell that forever sounds their farewell.

Listen to our chat about this masterpiece here:
[http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/0...]

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

We learned of this book while visiting the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit, where they've placed the pilot house of the William Clay Ford, which was just ahead of the Edmund Fitzgerald on the waters that night, as part of the museum's exhibit. There's an exhibit at the museum especially concerning the EF, and this book was the perfect wrap up to our learning experience.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read this tonight. It's still good. Still a keeper to read to the grandchildren.

[Andrea Wick]

This is a picture book the tells the story of the Edmund Fritzgerald. It also includes the lyrics to the song about it.

This would be a good book to bring out when talking about ship wrecks or specifically Minnesota history.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrated book that tells the tale of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the wreck on the great Lake Superior.

[Allie Patten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story! I thought it was a fun way to read about the history of something close to home. I will defiantly have this book in my classroom library.

[Tonia Kruczek]

When we read this in class it kept me intrigued and wanting to know what happens next. This is great because it happened so close to MN. You could read this on the anniversary.

[Charlie McCrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a very beautiful book. The pictures were amazing and it helped tell the story of Michigan's History.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated account of a tragic loss of a magnificent ship.

The bell rings forever where heroes are found,
for the soul of the sailor is held in its sound.

[Ken Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most know of the Edmund Fitzgerald because of Gordon Lightfoot's song about the November 1975 shipwreck on Lake Superior. But Kathy-J Wargin memorializes the iron ore boat in a classy, children's book. The artwork is fantastic and the tale corresponds with what happened. (For an excellent account, go to www.shipwrechmuseum. com)

The song that made the Edmund Fitzgerald a known boat had its errors. Lightfoot's song took liberties and angered some of the victim's family members. He wrote that "at 7 p.m. the main hatchway gave in," upsetting families of the crew. He changed it later. He also referred to a cathedral as a "musty old hall," angering parishioners. He amended it to "a rustic old hall."

But Wargin's book has compassion and respect. It's a quick read, only 48 pages, but it's an educational look at what happened to the boat that at the time was the longest one on the Great Lakes.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

(boat or bears, can't pick? you decide. looking for the kindle version??! no luck?!?) I am new to this author, and i was lucky enough 2 find 3 books this time to check out from her, i see there are several more i can read... The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone, & The Legend of Sleeping Bear... these are in KU if you want to check them out ... i think my faves are probably The Legend of Sleeping Bear or about the Edmund Fitzgerald .. enjoy them all but those are my most fave ... great pics ... fun to check out. enjoy!!

[Tina Olter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Nonfiction- Informational
Grade Level: 2-3
Interesting feature: There is so much to love about this book! The illustrations are captivating and so beautifully done. They serve as a great way to make you feel more connected to the story. This book provides details from the tragic event that occurred in the Lake Superior. I also enjoy how the Song of the Bell follows along with the story throughout the pages.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just lovely and a huge surprise. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is one of my all-time favorite songs and I always play it for the babies in my classroom and they always love it, too. Since we are remote, I was trying to figure out a way to honor the wreck and introduce this class to the song when I found this book. The poem is not great, so I skip it. The paintings are gorgeous. Highly recommended.

Q2020 book.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Fiction

A unique feature of this book is the breath taking art work. It looks as if it came straight from the canvas to the book. The art work really conveys the weight and intensity of the storm that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald. This book could easily be used in a 3rd to 5th grade classroom. 9/10/17

[Delaney Maki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informational
Grades 3-5
The book has lines of poetry spread throughout its pages which speak about the bell that remained from the ship and bring a sense of beauty and closure to an otherwise tragic story. It also mentions the culture of shipping and traveling on the Great Lakes, which may be an interesting topic to our students who most likely have visited the Great Lakes.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an illustrated story of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It covers everything from the purpose of the trip, the other ship travelling nearby, and its unfortunate outcome. The book is beautifully illustrated, capturing the feel and emotions of what happened that night.

As a frequent visitor to Lake Superior, learning about this ship was fun. A quick read, full of lots of information.

[Madelyn Panganis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 2-4th grade
Unique feature: one unique feature in this book is that incorporates facts to help the students gain knowledge while also integrating lyrics from the song of the bell.

[Marisa Montini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Non-fiction (Informational)
Grade: 4-8
Unique Feature: The pictures do a great job of telling the story. If I just looked at the pictures and didn't read any of the content in the book, I would have a general idea of what happened.

[Megan Roux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre:Informational
Unique Feature: Students will find it interesting to read because it occurred in Lake Superior. This children's book had very detailed illustrations and told an interesting story.
Grade Level: 3-5

[Emily Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful testament to the sailors of Edmund Fitzgerald and their families. The pieces of poetry in the book remind me of old epics. The pictures added to the atmosphere of the story, especially when the storm arrived.

[Rex Libris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-drawn book and great re-telling of the last hours of the crew at a level children can understand. That said, I am not sure the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald is subject for a children's book. It obviously does not have a very happy ending.

[Milford Public Library Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

*A Michigan Notable Book in 2004.
Acclaimed Michigan's children author collaborated once again with accomplished artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, in this brief tale of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald as well as the retrieval of her bell in 1994.

[Katie Haasch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story of the Edmund Fitzgerald on the fateful day in November 1975 where it disappeared and sank immediately. The cause of the wreck is still unknown. The only thing that was ever retrieved was the brass bell but was replaced with a replica with the names of the 29 men that went down.

[Deloris Brinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald

I loved how the account of the sinking of this ship was told briefly and making it easy for children to read and understand. I would recommend this book be read by all Michigan children as they learn about the Great Lakes.

[Jenna Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade level: 5th grade
Genre: non-fiction
Unique feature: Its a retable event for students because it occurred on the Great Lakes.