S.O.S: Titanic, Book 3

Titanic #3

by Gordon Korman

Disaster has struck, and the Titanic is going down. What started as a thrilling voyage has turned into a fight for survival. For Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie, every second counts in the race against death. All of their hiding and all of their seeking has come down to Can they save the people they love? Can they even save themselves? One cold, horrifying night will decide all of their fates.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Gordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite character died

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

{3.5 stars}

Paddy Burns was a survivor.

And with the last book completed of this series, I can sit back happily and know how it all ended. Once you start this series, it is hard to put them down! I loved seeing how Julia, Sophie, Paddy, and Alfie (as well as POV from others) all found different ways to leave the Titanic as it sank. This story is partly fictional, but so many of the events are true and even the fictional characters act much like those who attempted to save themselves from a sinking ship.

I love how this book ends. Paddy, a dear character, always on a run. It is humorously annoying!

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first two. There were several more profanities (especially during the last few minutes of sinking). It's a sad, but triumph ending. So many died, and all in all the author has presented books that will be well-liked by historical buffs.

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I decided not to keep this series, or to let the little ones read it. There is way too much feminism, and there is a prominent character in them that plays a huge role in all of these that is just creepy. And when I spoke to mom and dad about it, apparently this person was a very real part of a very creepy, very scary section of history. I didn't know that, or I wouldn't have finished reading the series.

I can say, what the person did in the children's books was creepy (it had to do with a murderer) but there were no details given that were inappropriate for a children's book. Just creepy. Too creepy. But when mom told me a bit of what actually happened, with the real man, the character was just plain nasty. Disgusting. Perverted. And I don't want any of my siblings becoming curious and researching this vile man for themselves. I'm not quite sure why he would even be a part of history, actually, since his crimes were so heinous, they ought to be forgotten and not immortalized.

'Sides all that, the storyline was interesting, and the writing was good. The vocabulary was awesome, and I am sad that the little's can't read them.

[R.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart ache!!!! It was so amazing - the sinking of the Titanic, the devistating deaths, the terrible excitement. So overwhelming.

Thank goodness for those who survived, however, it's rather a miracle! <3 I'm so glad Paddy, Juliana, and Sophia lived!!! But why did Alfie have to die?? ;(

Whenever I hear details about the Titanic, I get all scared and my heart feels sick. The story is so horrible, but so incredible at the same time - it's hard not to feel for all those people who lost so much!

The ending so was great!! Reunions are the best!

Book 1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

These are amazing books!
5*****

[max theodore]

does anyone remember how jack the ripper showed up in this. because i just did

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in Korman's Titanic trilogy.

I liked this trilogy, I think it would be an excellent set of books to get young boys reading...or girls for that matter.

The story of well-to-do Julianna, suffragist's daughter Sophie, underage White Star employee Alphie and stowaway Paddy is engaging and interesting. The friendship that develops between the three comes across as genuine and easily could have held the story together without the Jack the Ripper subplot.

That subplot was like a big glob of mud in the middle of a cream coloured carpet. Didn't fit in, didn't do anything for the room (story) and certainly could have been removed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time is running out for Sophie, Juliana, Alfie, and Paddy as they struggle to survive; the Titanic is sinking and there aren't enough lifeboats.

Readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering who will survive the harrowing journey. Although I wasn't always happy with the results the mostly realistic conclusion should satisfy readers.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect conclusion to the titanic books. And though someone dies, I think they all have a happy ending. Sophie is with her mother and father, Juliana is with the poor little baby without parents, Paddy is united with Daniel and even though Alfie dies, I think he did have his happy ending. All he wanted was to be reunited with his parents, and that what he got.

[Maximus Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book S.O.S. was amazing. It is the third and final book in the unsinkable series. The 4 main characters, Paddy, Alphie, Julianna, and Sophie. Danny, the stowaway that was see taken by bad people was turned up alive and it takes place in the final hours of the titanic. I thought this was a great ending to an amazing trilogy.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a thrilling conclusion to this series. This book was originally published in 2011, and the most recent edition in 2016. According to Goodreads there are 25 editions of the third volume in this series, including editions in English and French listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 105 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I now have 4 books from series to go, the final book in each of 4 different series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them. And my 14 year old daughter has enjoyed a number of them

The description of this volume states:

“From bestselling author Gordon Korman, the thrilling conclusion to the adventure aboard the unluckiest ship of all.

The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable - the largest passenger steamship in the world, one of the biggest and most luxurious ships ever to operate.

For Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie, the Titanic is full of mysteries - whether they're to be found in the opulent first-class cabins and promenade decks or the shadows in the underbelly of the ship. Secrets and plans are about to be revealed - only now disaster looms, and time is running out. The four of them need to find the truth, unmask the killer...and try not to go down with the ship.”

About the author at the back of this volume we are informed:

“GORDON KORMAN started writing novels when he was about the same age as the characters in this book, with his first novel, This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!, published when he was fourteen. Since then, his novels have sold millions of copies around the world. Most recently, he is the author of Swindle, Zoobreak, and Framed, the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, and Kidnapped, and the series On the Run. His other novels include No More Dead Dogs and Son of the Mob. He lives in New York with his family, and can be found on the web at his website.”

I do not think there is anyone not familiar with the story of the Titanic, this version of historical fiction by Korman helps us experience the events through several different sets of eyes, mostly youth; youth from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. From a street urchin in Dublin, to an aristocrats daughter, to a young man who faked his age to serve on the ship with his father, to a girl who constantly seems embarrassed by her mother’s political activism. The events in this instalment of this series take place between, Monday, April 15, 1912, 12:15 A.M. and Tuesday, May 14, 1912, 10:45 A.M.. The youths have had a few run-ns with the Ripper and have a few more during this adventure. The way Korman wrote about the sinking, and the aftermath was masterfully done. It was not too gruesome, but it was realistic and riveting.

I admit I have never been much into the story of the Titanic, I have never seen the movie, and it is on my all-time list to never see, but this book and series are excellent, and it were do but put to film, I would go to see it with no hesitation.

This book and series is historical fiction at its best. Coming from a long line of Irish men, the Irish thugs presented here seem very familiar, as does the scrappy Irish street urchin. The numerous historical figures that are actually part of these events are well written. It is masterfully written historical fiction, sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike!

[Makayla D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book not realizing it was the third book but still enjoyed it. Since I had already watched the movie I pretty much already knew what to expect since it was based on a true event. It talks about the sinking of the Titanic and how it was supposed to be "unsinkable". Later throughout the book, people come to realize it is sinking and its happening right now. I liked the book because it wasn't all informational it also expressed how people felt during the sinking.

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of the series; the focus on the events of the sinking (the disbelief, the struggles with the lifeboats, the freezing water) and waiting for rescue were all very well-done. I would say because of the nature of the tragedy that this would be a book for older elementary/middle school, or younger if the child has someone to discuss it with. It was heart-wrenching, but of course the real-life event was, so I thought this was handled well in light of the reality.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Titanic Trilogy consists of three books: (1) Book One: Unsinkable; (2) Book Two: Collision Course; and (3) Book Three: S.O.S. Written by one of my absolute favorite authors–Gordon Korman–these books weave a heart-stopping adventure based on the historical “unsinkable” ship, the Titanic in 1912. Book One details the final arrangements for the Titanic’s maiden voyage and its initial departure from England. Book Two covers the actual event of the Titanic’s fatal crash with the iceberg. Book Three finishes the tale with the actions taken by passengers and crew in the face of certain death as the Titanic literally sinks into the ocean beneath them. Each book is able to stand on its own as a complete story but I think the reader loses a fraction of Korman’s entire work by not reading them in order as one story.

Korman has created four young people who have all ended up as passengers on the ill-fated Titanic when it begins its first and only trip from England to New York. Paddy is a homeless boy living by his wits and his pickpocketing skills in Ireland pursued by gangster from whom he unwittingly stole money; Sophie is the daughter of the well-known and extremely outspoken American Suffragist Amelia Bronson who is being expelled from England by the British authorities; Julianna is the daughter of the seventeenth Earl of Glamm, raised as English nobility; and Alfie has been abandoned by his mother and gotten himself hired as a steward aboard the Titanic to be close to his father who stokes the furnaces.

Their four young lives intertwine and mix with those of Thomas Andrews, the engineer who designed the Titanic, two dangerous Irish gangsters, the famed murderer Jack the Ripper as well as the wealthiest in English and American society and the hard-working emigrants seeking a new life in America.

Korman has a remarkable ability as a storyteller to leave the reader breathless from page to page as our young heroes first clash in their beliefs and actions, then gradually find friendship through their growing awareness and insight into themselves and those around them. Each of them discover a cache of wisdom within themselves that allows new understanding of who they are as individuals and why those closest to them are so important.

And amidst these engaging storylines and profound discoveries, Korman also tells the tragic true story of the sinking of the Titanic. This historical event becomes real to the reader in a way he or she could never have imagined. If you are a history buff, have a special interest in the Titanic or enjoy a heart-pounding adventure story, these books are for you!

With a historical tragedy of the proportions of the sinking of the Titanic Korman wisely does not try to tie everything up in a ‘happily-ever-after’ package at the end. He does, however, completely fulfill the promise of each storyline and subplot. The reader is left with the sorrow of so many lost lives and the renewed spirit that so often arises when we witness the courage and strength of others in such a desperate situation.

This is a fantastic read for ages 2nd grade-middle school. It may be a possible read-aloud selection for an older elementary or middle school class. I would not use it as a read-aloud for younger elementary ages due to some of the menace toward children in the storyline with the gangsters. None of it is inappropriate, but I know I would want to make sure each individual child was able to handle the content in a safe and healthy way; this is, of course, a decision based on individuals, age and classroom dynamics. I do, however, recommend it as a bedtime reading option for families.

[Austin Krause · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personal Response:
I did not really enjoy this book or either of the other two books in the series. I should have expected it, being that it is meant for younger aged kids in like fourth or fifth grade. It was pretty well developed and I think that any kid could potentially enjoy it. This book just wasn't for me though.
Plot:
This book is the last book in the three book series and it is a good continuation of the other two. In this book, the main plot is the final hours of the R.M.S. Titanic.
Paddy is still the stowaway, but has been locked up after his discovery and capture.
Sophie is the daughter of the suffragist looking to get back to America with her mother after their attempts in Europe to gain ground on women's rights.
Juliana is the daughter of the Earl of Glamford. Her father is looking to get her to America to marry one of his business associate's sons.
Alfie is underage, but still a steward on the ship, trying to be with his father who works in the boiler rooms. His mom left him and he had nowhere to go.
This book begins in a commotion as the stewards are trying to get everyone to the upper decks and load them on lifeboats. Paddy managed to escape his cell and was above deck with Sophie and her mom, when he realized that none of the third class passengers were above decks. He went down to where they all were and led a large group up where they got spots on lifeboats. Paddy was not so fortunate. All lifeboats had been released and now all that was left were the collapsibles. Sophie was there as well as she had saved her mother and not gotten on a boat herself. Paddy ended up riding on an overturned boat barely staying above the water. At the same time, Alfie had no other choice but to jump overboard when the Titanic suddenly went straight down into the icy sea, and Juliana safely got into a lifeboat, but was separated from her father. Alfie survived by climbing onto a floating piece of wooden furniture, only to end up with Mr. Masterson climb up as well. Later, Sophie, who had failed to get in a lifeboat swam up and was lifted to the furniture only to be strangled by Mr. Masterson who, in turn, was dumped into the ocean by Alfie. A while later, the rescue ship, the Carpathia, showed up and began to haul the survivors up to the deck. Alfie, though, could not make it, and halfway up the ladder, he fell and died of exposure. The rest made it up and were taken directly to America. Paddy, upon arrival, sneaked out and was later confronted by Kevin Gilhooley, who, to Paddy's surprise, offered him a good life and also had Daniel to keep Paddy company. Sophie went on with her mother doing the same thing they had done for years - protesting for women's suffrage. Juliana went back to England to live with the baby she had rescued from the sinking without her father, who had died in the sinking. All the remaining friends lived happy lives afterward, but not without the reoccurring thought of the dreadful sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic.
Recommendation:
As I said earlier, I think that this book is meant for young kids in fourth of fifth grade. I do not think that gender would matter; it seems to most likely be interesting for either. I also recommend reading other Gordon Korman books as he is a very good children's writer - I should know because I used to read his books when I was younger.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved everything about the book except the ending -- and I'm not talking about the sinking. I felt like there was too much in the ending that was beyond unbelievable coincidence regarding the main characters. The Jack the Ripper connection was disappointing. The turnaround in the two Irish thugs who were after Paddy throughout the whole series was not believable. The rescues were just too unbelievable. Up to the part in the water, though, the book did not disappoint, and while the ending was disappointing to me, an adult, I think that it would be highly satisfying to the young adult audience it is aimed at. I would recommend the series highly to my students.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in the Titanic series by Gordon Korman, and concludes the story of Sophie, Juliana, Paddy, and Alfie, four young teenagers traveling on the Titanic. At the start of the series, they had very little in common. Juliana and Sophie are both first class passengers, but come from very different families - Juliana is the daughter of a British earl, while Sophie's mother is an American suffragist. Paddy is a stowaway, and Alfie lied about his age to get a job on the ship, so he could be near his father. These four unlikely friends worked together to hide Paddy and discover the identity of a murderer traveling on the ship.

This book picks up the story right where book two ended, shortly after the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. Like many others, the four friends thought the Titanic was unsinkable, but soon they realize the ship is doomed. Separated from each other in the chaos, they must fight to save their families, their friends, and their own lives.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was eager to read the conclusion to find out what happened to the characters when the ship sank. I am happy to say I was not disappointed and I was eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next and who would survive. Since this is a book about the Titanic, of course everyone does not survive, so I was expecting that some people would die, but it was still sad to read about it. However I am glad the author decided to make the ending realistic rather than an unrealistic happy ending for everyone. Although this series is written for middle grade readers, I really enjoyed it, and I recommend it to anyone who is fascinated by the story of the Titanic.

[Evelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page 39.



A third of the way through the book, I am screaming in my head that all the main characters absolutely HAVE to make it out of this alive. Pretty much by the end you feel like you just went on a crazy, emotional roller coaster. And got punched in the gut as well.

NO NO NO NO NO! WHY, WHY, WHYYYYYYYYYY?! WHY DID ALFIE DID?! HE WAS MY FAVORITE! HE ALMOST MADE IT, TOO! If the hypothermia hadn't set in, he would have been FINE, but NOOOOOOOOO, Korman HAD to kill SOMEBODY besides Juliana's father and Alfie's da. ALFIE WAS SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE FOR HIS DA! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME, MR. KORMAN?! WHYYYYYYYYYYY?!



I'm really not sure if I'll read this again. Maybe. Maybe someday I'll read just the first book again.

My emotions are shot. I need to read a book that has a more predictable storyline.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I stayed up till almost 1:00am reading this book. I read it in less than three hours. I just couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened.

Overall this is one of the best series I've read on the Titanic. I just LOVED it. It was also a very tragic and sad book. learning how unprepared the Titanic was and how the class system treated the people.

AND WHY DID ALFIE DIE!!! of all the characters he was the hero. he saved Sophia's life (more than once) and Paddy's. He was a true Hero. and he almost made it too! UGH!!! He was so close. It's not fair. And Poor Paddy losing all his friends. :'(

The only thing that made it up to me about Alfie dying was Daniel still being alive and being reunited with Paddy. But still, Ugh, Why, just why...

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intense read, which was to be expected. But done well. And with what I know from my Titanic obsession, Korman stayed pretty true to the actual facts that existed. And the fictional parts he added were just fine. Realistic and sad. A really good book and overall trilogy to teach or intrigue young audiences about this tragedy. I was disappointed that Korman didn't include some author or historical note to state what things were actual facts and such. Based on true stories always intrigue me, and I especially like knowing what was real. I assume he did research to stay true to the story, and it would have been nice to know what he learned and/or included.

A great series and good author for me to continue recommending.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #3 picks up where book #2 left off. It tells the story of the Titanic's sinking in the most descriptive way I've ever read about in other fictional books. Some of the fine details may just be the author's interpretation of how the sinking happened, but the visual scenes of the ship and the panicking emotion of the passengers felt real. This is my favorite book in Korman's Titanic trilogy!

It was a great series and I really enjoyed the pleasure of reading it. I discovered many new facts about the Titanic, which I previously hadn't known.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I had hoped, the third book in the series recaptures some of the qualities of the first. I raced from cover to cover in just a few days. Part of that, I think is the intensity of the situation: the ship is sinking and we really want to find out if our friends will survive. Children unfamiliar with the history may be surprised that there is no happy ending here. The Jack the Ripper thread is picked up again, which was my biggest detracter from book two, but it isn't as heavy on the plot line. I liked it, but the first book was still better. If I could give half-stars, I'd do 3.5.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know how the story of the Titantic ends, so the sinking of this great ship is no surprise. The lives of Alfie, Paddy, Sophie and Julianna on the sinking Titantic and their efforts to survive and save as many lives as possible is the REAL story. Very exciting conclusion to this trilogy. Readers may be surprised that the ending isn't "perfect" and they must all learn to live with some type of loss.

[Joshua Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Paddy was escaping a deadly past which was from gangsters a deadly man is on the boat trying to kill him and his friends,what is even worse is that he's trying to kill them while the boat is sinking.Will they survive?Will they not?Why don't you find out?I love this book because again it is adventure and realistic fiction.It is a great book and encourage you to read it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, exciting, with the voices sometimes being a little too over the top for me...but overall a great listen. I jumped in at the end of this series, but will definitely go back to read the first two. There's just something so fascinating about the Titanic disaster.

[Kandyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy was a fun, fast paced read. It is always interesting for me to hear the facts surrounding the Titanic. Korman also adds additional excitement with gangsters and the possible solving of an age old murder mystery.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb ending to the trilogy! It brings all your favorite characters to a conclusion as well as sets a very realistic & vivid account of what it was like when the ship went down.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The closing of the Titanic trilogy shows how the characters have moved beyond their outlooks at the start of the story. There's lots of drama and danger as the ship goes down.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

G
I love learning about the titanic and the tragic stories of its passengers.
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo *sniffle* goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood <3 alfie:(

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad but so well written and heartwarming.

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books about the Titanic over the years, having been introduced to this particular piece of history by my grandfather when I was very young. In all Titanic stories, there certain things that are always included, certain personalities that never change (Thomas Andrews as noble, man-of-the-people shipbuilder with a heart of gold; J. Bruce Ismay as speed-inducing scoundrel out to make headlines). While this series was no exception, tired details are included along with fresh characters and suspense that will keep readers flipping pages. I will say that the inclusion of Jack the Ripper on the Titanic was a bit of a plot twist...