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SS City of Benares
Lifeboat 12
With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. 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.
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. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger.
They’re wrong.
Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive?
Author Susan Hood brings this little-known true World War II story to life in a novel in verse.
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. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger.
They’re wrong.
Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive?
Author Susan Hood brings this little-known true World War II story to life in a novel in verse.
337 pages, Unknown Binding
First published September 4, 2018
362 people are currently reading
3694 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hood
243 books139 followersSusan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada's Violin; Lifeboat 12; The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics; Shaking Things Up; Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team; and We Are One: How the World Adds Up.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 749 reviews
December 31, 2021
Well this will be my last review of 2021 and unfortunately it's a tricky one.
The real story of Lifeboat 12 is actually a gripping tale of survival against all odds. I am sorry to say it was not well captured in this middle-school verse novel. The story felt drawn out even though is was written in verse. There were some glimmers of the type of writing I would expect in a verse novel but in my opinion, it read more like prose with the enter button hit after every few words. The were some points where the author dabbled in the white spaces and kids will enjoy these, but overall it was a miss for me.
The photos and notes at the end were extremely interesting.
The real story of Lifeboat 12 is actually a gripping tale of survival against all odds. I am sorry to say it was not well captured in this middle-school verse novel. The story felt drawn out even though is was written in verse. There were some glimmers of the type of writing I would expect in a verse novel but in my opinion, it read more like prose with the enter button hit after every few words. The were some points where the author dabbled in the white spaces and kids will enjoy these, but overall it was a miss for me.
The photos and notes at the end were extremely interesting.
September 13, 2018
Absolutely fantastic, gripping book - written in verse from the POV of a 13-year-old boy, Ken Sparks.
I bought the book because I'd actually heard of this story, when the City of Benares, the ship full of evacuee British children was torpedoed in the North Atlantic on its way to Canada in 1940.
Knowing it was written in verse, I didn't expect it to be as much of a page-turner as it proved to be. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, so be warned - your child might too. Hood's research is thorough, as she shows from the end pages of the book, which give her sources, and photos of the ship and children in question. But you never feel she's feeding you history - it all emerges as part of this boy's observations.
As a Brit, I have an eagle eye for non-British usages by American authors, but Hood has nailed it (with some help from her British friends - cited in the acknowledgements). Buy one for every young person you know, or maybe for yourself. It's irresistible.
I bought the book because I'd actually heard of this story, when the City of Benares, the ship full of evacuee British children was torpedoed in the North Atlantic on its way to Canada in 1940.
Knowing it was written in verse, I didn't expect it to be as much of a page-turner as it proved to be. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, so be warned - your child might too. Hood's research is thorough, as she shows from the end pages of the book, which give her sources, and photos of the ship and children in question. But you never feel she's feeding you history - it all emerges as part of this boy's observations.
As a Brit, I have an eagle eye for non-British usages by American authors, but Hood has nailed it (with some help from her British friends - cited in the acknowledgements). Buy one for every young person you know, or maybe for yourself. It's irresistible.
August 13, 2018
Thanks to Laura Gardner & Simon Kids for sharing this free review copy with me!
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LIFEBOAT 12 is a phenomenal and impeccably-researched historical fiction in verse that releases on 9.4.18.
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Based on a true story, Hood shares a tale that is filled with danger and adventure, told by a boy who is on a ship heading for Canada from England during WWII. The verse format is accessible and is perfect for the story ~ I will be purchasing multiple copies for both my elementary and middle school verse collections. Given that the 4th is our first day back to school, I plan to make this one of my very first book talks of the year for grades 4-6!
.
LIFEBOAT 12 is a phenomenal and impeccably-researched historical fiction in verse that releases on 9.4.18.
.
Based on a true story, Hood shares a tale that is filled with danger and adventure, told by a boy who is on a ship heading for Canada from England during WWII. The verse format is accessible and is perfect for the story ~ I will be purchasing multiple copies for both my elementary and middle school verse collections. Given that the 4th is our first day back to school, I plan to make this one of my very first book talks of the year for grades 4-6!
January 16, 2020
This is historical fiction the way I like it -- heavy on facts and well-researched. The story is told in verse giving it a lighter tone yet not in an inappropriate way. The Appendix includes photos of the real Ken Sparks and other passengers who were rescued from Lifeboat 12. The book tells a story that is inspiring and insightful. This title is on the long list for the 2020-21 Mark Twain Awards. I really hope that this book is on the list when it comes out this spring!
March 23, 2018
Susan’s debut middle-grade novel packs a punch! Ken was one of the lucky children chosen to escape war in the bombing of London in 1940. On his way to Canada aboard a luxury ship, the unthinkable happens...the ship is torpedoed! Will Ken and the others survive on the small lifeboat they manage to escape on? Based on true events, and full of amazing historical back-matter, this novel-in-verse is hard to put down.
October 23, 2023
Author Susan Hood has changed my opinion about novels written in verse. Hers are wonderful; I’m glad I didn’t pass them up!
“Lifeboat 12” was an absolute page-turner. I read it in one sitting, in just over an hour, because I could not put it down.(Housework-phooey!)
This book should be in every history classroom. What a wonderful source to get readers hooked!
Keep them coming, Susan, please!
“Lifeboat 12” was an absolute page-turner. I read it in one sitting, in just over an hour, because I could not put it down.(Housework-phooey!)
This book should be in every history classroom. What a wonderful source to get readers hooked!
Keep them coming, Susan, please!
March 16, 2019
This book is based on the true story of Ken Sparks, a 13-year old boy, who is one of the evacuees from the London Blitz, on board the SS City of Benares when it is torpedoed by a German U-boat. One of the seminal questions of the book is whether you would rather be bombed at home in London or torpedoed at sea. Told from Ken's middle-grade perspective, he feels unloved by his stepmother and finds friends among his fellow evacuees. One of the unique things about this novel is that it is told in verse. Hood did excellent research, including several sessions with Ken himself, who always thought modestly of himself as a survivor, not a hero.
IMO, this is very similar to but better than Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea.
IMO, this is very similar to but better than Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea.
December 13, 2021
This book showed a different kind of survival story; one on a lifeboat, surounded in water, yet dying of thirst. Sunburnt, yet freezing. Determined, yet only nature can change their destiny. They are some of the many trying to escape the war and bombs in the ship of hope, but the Nazi torpedoes had other plans. Now the people on Lifeboat 12, including Ken and his young friends, have days worth of water remaining. Days which will determine their fate.
I've never read a survival story like this one. Unlike most stories, there is nothing the people on Lifeboat 12 can do to save themselves. All they can do is wait. I have a hard time sorting out my feelings about this book. It was well written, and the story was well developed, but it was also boring and kind of heartbreaking in the middle. I even skimmed a few chapters in the middle, because I wanted to know the end, but was tired of the the waiting. I liked that it was written in verse, as it complemented the story nicely, one of the reasons I continued reading it!
I've never read a survival story like this one. Unlike most stories, there is nothing the people on Lifeboat 12 can do to save themselves. All they can do is wait. I have a hard time sorting out my feelings about this book. It was well written, and the story was well developed, but it was also boring and kind of heartbreaking in the middle. I even skimmed a few chapters in the middle, because I wanted to know the end, but was tired of the the waiting. I liked that it was written in verse, as it complemented the story nicely, one of the reasons I continued reading it!
March 31, 2018
I feel lucky to have received an ARC of this book! It’s hard to believe this is Susan’s MG debut. Told in verse, this is a hybrid text; part HF/part NF. It’s the gripping tale of Ken Sparks who, at 13, was one of 90 children chosen to leave London in 1940 aboard the City of Benares. The luxury liner was headed to Canada when it was torpedoed by a German u-boat. What happens to Ken and those aboard Lifeboat 12 is a piece of history I hadn’t known about. I’m thankful to Susan for writing this story and for the incredible back matter (the most thorough I’ve seen in a MG novel)! I will certainly be doing more research into this story and can’t wait to see the photographs in the final book, out Sept. 2018!
January 28, 2020
I enjoyed all of the suspense of this book when they were trapped in the Atlantic not knowing if they would live or die. Read it to find if they survie
September 4, 2018
In the summer of 1940, as fear of a German invasion grew, the British government initiated a program called the Children's Overseas Reception Board, or CORB, which purpose was to evacuate British children from England and send them by ship to one of their (then) Dominion countries.
Lifeboat 12 follows the experience of one of the children chosen to be sent to Canada, a boy named Kenneth Sparks, 13, of Wembley in London, the son of working class parents. Kenneth, however, doesn't want to go, thinking his stepmum had finally found a way to be rid of him, even if she did buy him a very good, expensive overcoat to take with him. He was thrilled about getting such a nice coat, even if it was second hand. After all, by the summer of 1940, Ken was used to everything being second hand, makeshift or rationed because of the war. But he still wasn't happy about going to Canada.
Once the Blitz begins, and night after night is spent in a shelter, Ken quickly begins to look forward to leaving England. And he does finally leave in a convoy on Friday, September 13th, sailing on a luxury ocean lined called the City of Benares. And it is luxurious for the evacuees, who are fed wonderful and plentiful food including seconds, provided with brand new toys and games, and clean soft beds, even better than what Ken had at home. Ken makes friends with some of the other boys and spends his time exploring the ship with them. Only the constant lifeboat drills in case of an attack and the convey escorting the ship remind the kids of war they left behind.
That is until September 17th, their fourth day at sea, when a German submarine torpedoes the ship, causing severe damage. Ken heads to his assigned Lifeboat 8, but in all the confusion, he remembers he left his coat behind, the one his stepmum bought and admonished him to take care of and not to lose. Rushing back after retrieving his coat, Ken discovers Lifeboat 8 has left and he ends up squeezing into Lifeboat 12, along with 5 other boys, and 40 adults.
Surrounded by bodies and overturned lifeboats, the survivors in Lifeboat 12 watch as the City of Benares sinks, and wonder when and if they will be rescued. With enough food and water for only eight days, Lifeboat 12 drifts in the rough seas of the open ocean for eight days.
Lifeboat 12 is based on the true story of the torpedoing and sinking of the City of Benares, and while it is a fictionalized telling, it is based on the account of the Kenneth Sparks and other survivors, whom Susan Hood interviewed for this free verse novel (knowing Ken survived isn't a spoiler).
Hood spent a lot of time interviewing Ken just before he passed away and she has really captured his 13 year old self. He is both is appealing and believable, a friendly, lively, bright boy who notices everything around him and is curious about it all. His anger at his family for sending him away feels genuine, as does his fear - going back for his coat so his stepmum won't be angry at him, sitting in an overcrowded lifeboat wondering if he would be rescued - and the disappointment that his parents couldn't see him off when he left, and then having travel alone to London when he returns to England. I liked how Hood has Ken mention in passing that planes are his hobby, rather than making a big deal about it, and he knows them all, knowledge that ultimately saved the people in Lifeboat 12.
Lifeboat 12 is a coming of age story that most readers will find hard to put down. It is divided into three sections - Escape, Afloat, and Rescue, and each section gives a day by day account of what Ken was experiencing. And when you are finished reading Ken's fictionalized story, there is plenty of back matter to explore, including facts about lifeboat 12, information on the people who survived, plenty of photographs, and books for further investigating, interesting websites, and videos, and information about the crewmen, particularly the Asian crew.
Lifeboat 12 is a testament to courage, a gripping, tension filled novel that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley
Lifeboat 12 follows the experience of one of the children chosen to be sent to Canada, a boy named Kenneth Sparks, 13, of Wembley in London, the son of working class parents. Kenneth, however, doesn't want to go, thinking his stepmum had finally found a way to be rid of him, even if she did buy him a very good, expensive overcoat to take with him. He was thrilled about getting such a nice coat, even if it was second hand. After all, by the summer of 1940, Ken was used to everything being second hand, makeshift or rationed because of the war. But he still wasn't happy about going to Canada.
Once the Blitz begins, and night after night is spent in a shelter, Ken quickly begins to look forward to leaving England. And he does finally leave in a convoy on Friday, September 13th, sailing on a luxury ocean lined called the City of Benares. And it is luxurious for the evacuees, who are fed wonderful and plentiful food including seconds, provided with brand new toys and games, and clean soft beds, even better than what Ken had at home. Ken makes friends with some of the other boys and spends his time exploring the ship with them. Only the constant lifeboat drills in case of an attack and the convey escorting the ship remind the kids of war they left behind.
That is until September 17th, their fourth day at sea, when a German submarine torpedoes the ship, causing severe damage. Ken heads to his assigned Lifeboat 8, but in all the confusion, he remembers he left his coat behind, the one his stepmum bought and admonished him to take care of and not to lose. Rushing back after retrieving his coat, Ken discovers Lifeboat 8 has left and he ends up squeezing into Lifeboat 12, along with 5 other boys, and 40 adults.
Surrounded by bodies and overturned lifeboats, the survivors in Lifeboat 12 watch as the City of Benares sinks, and wonder when and if they will be rescued. With enough food and water for only eight days, Lifeboat 12 drifts in the rough seas of the open ocean for eight days.
Lifeboat 12 is based on the true story of the torpedoing and sinking of the City of Benares, and while it is a fictionalized telling, it is based on the account of the Kenneth Sparks and other survivors, whom Susan Hood interviewed for this free verse novel (knowing Ken survived isn't a spoiler).
Hood spent a lot of time interviewing Ken just before he passed away and she has really captured his 13 year old self. He is both is appealing and believable, a friendly, lively, bright boy who notices everything around him and is curious about it all. His anger at his family for sending him away feels genuine, as does his fear - going back for his coat so his stepmum won't be angry at him, sitting in an overcrowded lifeboat wondering if he would be rescued - and the disappointment that his parents couldn't see him off when he left, and then having travel alone to London when he returns to England. I liked how Hood has Ken mention in passing that planes are his hobby, rather than making a big deal about it, and he knows them all, knowledge that ultimately saved the people in Lifeboat 12.
Lifeboat 12 is a coming of age story that most readers will find hard to put down. It is divided into three sections - Escape, Afloat, and Rescue, and each section gives a day by day account of what Ken was experiencing. And when you are finished reading Ken's fictionalized story, there is plenty of back matter to explore, including facts about lifeboat 12, information on the people who survived, plenty of photographs, and books for further investigating, interesting websites, and videos, and information about the crewmen, particularly the Asian crew.
Lifeboat 12 is a testament to courage, a gripping, tension filled novel that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley
July 26, 2020
This book is based on a true story of kids that were travelling on the SS City of Benares to Canada to escape the Nazi bombing of London. When the ship is torpedoed, Ken (13) and other survivors are left on Lifeboat 12 in the middle of the ocean. It's the little details in this book that make it so impactful. Ken was supposed to be on a different lifeboat, the young woman who makes up stories for the boys, the one sailor who acts crazy to make everyone laugh.
The story is told in verse, so I recommend reading a written copy more than the audio (or maybe both together). The audio is very well done and I could hear the emphasis and lyricism in the narrator's voice. The story is compelling and shows the importance of believing in yourself and each other and joining together to survive. Highly recommended. A 6-8 Sunshine State nominated book for 2020-21.
The story is told in verse, so I recommend reading a written copy more than the audio (or maybe both together). The audio is very well done and I could hear the emphasis and lyricism in the narrator's voice. The story is compelling and shows the importance of believing in yourself and each other and joining together to survive. Highly recommended. A 6-8 Sunshine State nominated book for 2020-21.
April 28, 2021
It was a nice book of survival.
March 27, 2021
I would recommend this book to others in this class. This book might seem long with around 300 pages, but it is written in a form like a poem (4-7 words a line). This story is about a boy named Ken who survived on a lifeboat after their ship gets torpedoed during World War II, but miraculously ends up getting rescued. This book reminds me a lot of the Titanic, because everything that happens is really similar. Something I think Susan Hood (Author) could've improved on was probably the character development of Ken's best friend Terry. For example, when Terry died after the ship was torpedoed, I didn't really feel sad for him (Like I probably should've). I think this because I wasn't really connected with him, and only know him vaguely.
But after all, I would recommend this book especially if you know the Titanic and are interested in stories similar to it. Last but not least, this book is based on a true story, so you'll be even more shocked when you read it, knowing 99% of everything in the story happened in the real world!
But after all, I would recommend this book especially if you know the Titanic and are interested in stories similar to it. Last but not least, this book is based on a true story, so you'll be even more shocked when you read it, knowing 99% of everything in the story happened in the real world!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
An excellent telling of a little known part of WWII history. This book is told in poetry form which at first I found distracting, but later on I could see how well it helped with the pacing of the story. I greatly appreciated the last part of the book which tells the rest of the story in a non-fiction format.
Popsugar challenge 2019 advanced: A book with no chapters, unusual chapter headings, or unconventionally numbered chapters. (This book is broken up by dates and by poem titles neither of which are exactly chapters)
Popsugar challenge 2019 advanced: A book with no chapters, unusual chapter headings, or unconventionally numbered chapters. (This book is broken up by dates and by poem titles neither of which are exactly chapters)
May 17, 2018
Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood is a fantastic novel in verse. The book is based on the true story of Ken Sparks, an evacuee from the London Blitz, on board the SS City of Benares. Readers who love The War That Saved My Life will enjoy reading Ken's story.
March 21, 2021
Lifeboat 12 was a true survival story of a child during world war 2.
I like how this survival book was a bit different, as it took place during the war. Ken, the main character is forced to go to Canada to escape the war, and he has to travel alone like all of the other children. He gets to have a good adventure aboard a majestic boat and he can stay out of the bombing in his hometown.
The story doesn't talk much about the details before the war, and it only touches upon some details about Ken's childhood, while it mainly focuses on their life aboard the ship. I found how it was ironic that his stepmother actually saved his life because he went to get his coat when the boat was sinking, and he boarded the last lifeboat, which was the only one that survived.
I think it was very motivational how he and many other children and people survived 8 days, with very limited food and water. I think it shows the people of the world how privileged they are to have normal necessities when people might be dying because they don't have them.
Overall, it was a pretty engaging and interesting book.
I like how this survival book was a bit different, as it took place during the war. Ken, the main character is forced to go to Canada to escape the war, and he has to travel alone like all of the other children. He gets to have a good adventure aboard a majestic boat and he can stay out of the bombing in his hometown.
The story doesn't talk much about the details before the war, and it only touches upon some details about Ken's childhood, while it mainly focuses on their life aboard the ship. I found how it was ironic that his stepmother actually saved his life because he went to get his coat when the boat was sinking, and he boarded the last lifeboat, which was the only one that survived.
I think it was very motivational how he and many other children and people survived 8 days, with very limited food and water. I think it shows the people of the world how privileged they are to have normal necessities when people might be dying because they don't have them.
Overall, it was a pretty engaging and interesting book.
January 13, 2019
I think I will hide much of this review, because I am thinking that everything I wrote might be a spoiler. The book is historical fiction, though, so most of the facts are known.
I am not a huge fan of verse novels/books. I don't understand why they are written in verse. The verse format doesn't usually work for me, as it is often more of a distraction than anything else. But there were a couple of places where the verse format was interesting here: when the ship sinks and when the lifeboat is being tossed about in the waves. It does make for quick reading, though.
I am not a huge fan of verse novels/books. I don't understand why they are written in verse. The verse format doesn't usually work for me, as it is often more of a distraction than anything else. But there were a couple of places where the verse format was interesting here: when the ship sinks and when the lifeboat is being tossed about in the waves. It does make for quick reading, though.
March 26, 2020
This book was really good, it was based on true life events. It’s about a boy who survived from the Nazis and about him staying in a lifeboat trying to stay alive. The boy is 13 years old and his name is ken. Also about the Nazis bombing London. After a few days out at sea the captain said they were safe but then it turned on his words. The end was really good. You would think that the ending was going to end badly but it actually ended perfectly. There was a life lesson at the end of this story.
January 18, 2022
An absolutely amazing story, told in free verse, about lifeboat 12 from the torpedoed SS City of Benares that was evacuating children from England to Canada in WWII. From interviews and research, Hood has written this incredible story not just for middle grades but for anyone interested in WWII events. This is tense and touching history. Using free verse style was a perfect method for this story told from young Ken Sparks perspective.
September 25, 2022
My 14 year old granddaughter asked me to buy her this book. She liked it so much she shared it with me and other grandchildren have read it too.All thought it was a great story of a thirteen year old boy during WW2. It is written like poetry but no rhymes and easy to follow. It was a page turner we agreed.
June 12, 2019
lifeboat 12 was an interesting book. You got to find out what the struggle and how the characters fixed there problem and got out of there.
December 31, 2019
This book is so nice. It really makes you think about how lucky you are to not be on a lifeboat for 8-9 days.
December 31, 2020
I couldn’t put this down. Such and incredible story.
August 1, 2022
Read this book for tutoring and honestly would recommend for any student interested in historical fiction! It was quick pace, written in verse, and quite engaging. This was a part of WWll that I was unfamiliar with! Great read, but not a personal favorite of mine for my own enjoyment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 1, 2023
BRO I READ THIS LAST YEAR FOR SCHOOL. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. 4.95 stars
January 21, 2023
Why did I wait so long to read this? Historical fiction. World War II. Children escaping London. Verse style. Survival. It has it all.
November 15, 2019
The Them the theme is that there is always a chance to beat the odds. But over all the book is very good and the author uses a good mix of real quotes and stories told by the survivors in interviews and in documents.
December 5, 2019
Based on a true story, Lifeboat 12 tells the story of 13-year old Ken. Ken is sent with a group of children from London to Canada during World War 2 to escape the bombing. Everything is going well until his ship is torpedoed by a German submarine. Ken has to survive on lifeboat with 50 other people until they can be rescued.
Written in fast paced verse, this book is exciting and interesting. It is especially intriguing because it is based on a real story. It is well researched and I really enjoyed the notes and pictures in the back. Historical fiction readers will love this book.
Written in fast paced verse, this book is exciting and interesting. It is especially intriguing because it is based on a real story. It is well researched and I really enjoyed the notes and pictures in the back. Historical fiction readers will love this book.
April 3, 2019
Lifeboat 12 is set in England during the times of World War II. It is from the point of view of Ken Sparks, a 13-year old boy. He is one of the 90 children chosen to leave on a luxury cruise. The cruise was going to Canada away from the Nazi bombs.
Ken makes many friends while on his journey to Canada. His ship is part of a convoy of 18 ships accompanied by a destroyer ship. Aboard the cruise there are delicious nine-course meals, a play area, a nursery and a lot more facilities which Ken would never have dreamed of in England. After around a sennight of travel, they are told that they are in a safe zone where they won’t be torpedoed by any German U-boat.
Their destroyer ship leaves and they are alone with their convoy, all headed for Canada. That night Ken sleeps peacefully without any bad dreams or nightmares. However, they are torpedoed at night by a German U-boat. As per the standard drill all the passengers rush to their designated lifeboats. While getting to the lifeboat Ken forgets his coat and rushes back to his cabin to get. By the time he reaches the deck his lifeboat, Lifeboat 8 had already left. Ken found Lifeboat 12 which had an extra seat. With the 40 other people on the boat he started his journey of surprise and adventure.
With a week’s supplies of water and food, will Ken and his companions make it to safety before their supplies run out? Will they ever see their families? Read this book to find out.
Susan Hood’s Lifeboat 12 is a super quick read and an inspiring book. It captures all the emotions of people during times of a crisis beautifully. I liked the fact that it is written in verse which gives the book a whole new feeling. I would recommend this book to all World War II enthusiasts.
Ken makes many friends while on his journey to Canada. His ship is part of a convoy of 18 ships accompanied by a destroyer ship. Aboard the cruise there are delicious nine-course meals, a play area, a nursery and a lot more facilities which Ken would never have dreamed of in England. After around a sennight of travel, they are told that they are in a safe zone where they won’t be torpedoed by any German U-boat.
Their destroyer ship leaves and they are alone with their convoy, all headed for Canada. That night Ken sleeps peacefully without any bad dreams or nightmares. However, they are torpedoed at night by a German U-boat. As per the standard drill all the passengers rush to their designated lifeboats. While getting to the lifeboat Ken forgets his coat and rushes back to his cabin to get. By the time he reaches the deck his lifeboat, Lifeboat 8 had already left. Ken found Lifeboat 12 which had an extra seat. With the 40 other people on the boat he started his journey of surprise and adventure.
With a week’s supplies of water and food, will Ken and his companions make it to safety before their supplies run out? Will they ever see their families? Read this book to find out.
Susan Hood’s Lifeboat 12 is a super quick read and an inspiring book. It captures all the emotions of people during times of a crisis beautifully. I liked the fact that it is written in verse which gives the book a whole new feeling. I would recommend this book to all World War II enthusiasts.
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