I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919

I Survived

by Lauren Tarshis

One hundred years ago, a killer wave of molasses struck a crowded Boston neighborhood. Discover the story of this strange disaster in the next book in the New York Times best-selling I Survived series.

There were warning signs that the molasses tank would break. The steel sides moaned and groaned. Molasses oozed from its seams. But the people of Boston's North End - mostly poor immigrants - were powerless to complain to the big molasses company. On a bright January day in 1919, the tank finally broke and almost three million gallons of molasses rushed the neighborhood. At 15 feet tall, 160 feet wide, and traveling at 35 miles per hour, the gooey wave was more destructive than any flood of water would have been. Lauren Tarshis tells the riveting story of one child who was swept up in the sticky storm and lived to tell the tale.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Juvenile

Audiobook

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Lauren Tarshis often wonders how she came to spend most of her waking moments thinking about disasters, as the author of the children's historical fiction series "I Survived." Each book takes readers into the heart of history's most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake, 9/11, and the Battle of Gettysburg. Writing these books often makes her feel very nervous, as though at any moment a volcano could erupt right outside her window. Then again, she has learned a thing or two about avoiding being eaten by a shark.
Lauren is also the author of the the award-winning Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love.

For more information, go to her website: www.LaurenTarshis.com

And check out the I Survived Website: www.Scholastic.com/ISurvived

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new I Survived installment weaves a tragic and terrifying tale of an event that could have been avoided. Lauren Tarshis is at the top of her game. Her books are very well-researched and so engaging for readers. I was unaware of this piece of history and it is heartbreaking to think of the people of Boston dealing with WW I, the Spanish Flu, and then this disaster on their waterfront. I was enthralled from the first and practically read it in one sitting. Love having a female survivor featured, too. Highly recommended.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some heartwarming and heartstring-pulling moments but overall it was just okay for me. *shrugs*

The historical facts section read by the author after the story was over was interesting. I knew some facts about the Molasses flood but not the whole picture.

Narrator for audiobook: 4 stars
*Read with/listened to via Overdrive app*

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

1919 Boston, a huge and defective steel holding tank popped its rivets and released over a million gallons of molasses into an Italian neighborhood.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up because I had never heard of the Great Molasses Flood and I've been meaning to read an "I Survived" book. I can see why these are so popular with 7-10 year olds. I particularly liked the "Learn More" section in the back.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

94 pages. This is an interesting story with a terrible accident of a huge tank of molasses in the north end of Boston 100 years ago. The Italian immigrant girl featured in the story has to overcome loss, tragedy and current circumstance, all of which can be life-changing. I think kids will enjoy this story. It is a very realistic story based on a historical event There is additional information at the end that will be helpful when trying to understand how something like this could have occurred in the past. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919 (I Survived, #19) by Lauren Tarshis details the incident from 100 years ago, where a defective storage tank resulted in a killer wave of molasses that struck a crowded Boston neighborhood. Discover the story of this strange disaster in the next book in the New York Times bestselling I Survived series.

A deadly - and strange - disaster. It's been four years since Carmen and Papa moved from Italy to Boston. Life here is exciting, but not always easy. And then there's the massive metal tank that rises up over their crowded North End neighborhood. The ugly tank, filled with sticky brown molasses, has always leaked. But nobody imagined that it could one day explode apart, sending a tsunami of molasses into the streets. Caught in the flood, Carmen must fight for her life - the life that she and Papa built together in America. But where will she find the strength? I was told that even today when it rains the smell of molasses still pervades the neighborhoods.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating story! I had never heard of the molasses flood so reading this story prompted more research into the story as I really wanted to see what this container looked like that could hold so much molasses. These are the best kinds of stories – the ones that make me want to know more – and I can say that just about every single one of the I Survived books has warranted more research into particular topics. I also liked the secondary story about Carmen, Tommy, and what life was like for orphaned children at this time. Highly recommended for people of all ages who want to learn more about historical events.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the third in our family book club series. It was so sad at the beginning that we almost voted to never let mom choose another book for the book club, but we got over that. Prior to reading this, I had never known anything about the great molasses flood of Boston in 1919.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow--the main character of this one dealt with even more than MCs in the other I Survived books we've read. WOW!

I had no idea about this tragedy, so I am so happy that Tarshis chose to focus on it. This man-made tragedy is an example of powerful people causing destruction and death of those they deem not worthy enough to protect.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first “I survived” book. I had never heard of the great molasses flood before. Interesting story and I enjoyed reading more about the author’s research at the end.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A large tank full of molasses blows up and kills many in Boston in 1919

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book i had to pre-order i wanted it so much. Nice story w/a simple plot (the cover is slightly deceptive, there is a girl, there is a horse but she isn't on it in that scene.) The non-fiction is terrific, especially liked the reprint of the newspaper front page w/the story.

[Jack]

The recipe for molasses-based gingerbread at the end of the book is in slightly bad taste.

I spotted several books from this I Survived series at my sister’s house. I joked that I’d love it if one of them covered the Boston Molasses Flood. Lo and behold, my sister plucked it off her kid’s shelf and handed it to me, so I had to read it.

Highly educational, this book crams characters, information, and ideas covering the Spanish Flu, WWI, and natural disasters in Italy I’d never heard of in a breezy 90-odd pages.

[Sarah Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading through this series with my 7 year old. It's a great historical fiction series for kids, but it also keeps me interested while we take turns reading. Often he would beg to keep reading past bed time, which always feels like a parenting win. The Great Molasses Flood is a historical event that I can't believe we didn't learn about in school. I even listened to 2 history podcasts on this event after finishing the book because it is so unbelievable!

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud in school. We liked it!

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked the book the great Molasses Flood because even if Carmine lost both of her parents she was able to be with her Grandma from Italy came to Boston to be with her in the North End." -Cadee, age 8

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story based on true historical events

[Angie Gazdziak · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I enjoyed this one. It's admittedly something I didn't know much about, but he wanted to check out all the I Survived books from our library.

[Phoebs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book but kinda sad 😢😉

[Sarah Monzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old loves this series. It’s well researched and well written.

[syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. this was a situation where the Libby "skip the line" category really came through for me. I thought reading this childrens book about the molasses flood would be funny but it legitimately had me crying on my lunch break. The main character Carmen must have been god's strongest soldier because she was sure as shit getting his toughest battles!!!!

***SPOILERS***

So Carmen and her dad immigrated to Boston from Italy after her WHOLE TOWN was destroyed by a giant earthquake+tsunami combo that also KILLED HER MOM. They came to America, leaving behind her grandma who didn't want to move.

FAST FORWARD. Carmen and her bestie Toni were chilling at the giant molasses tank in town that leaked molasses all the time, where all the kids just ate the leaky molasses. They got spooked when they heard gurgling in the tank (FORESHADOWING)

When she comes home she finds out her dad is super sick, and he DIES OF THE SPANISH FLU. Carmen has to go live with her bestie Tony because she is now an ORPHAN. She overhears Tony's parents talking about an upcoming "voyage" and Italy is mentioned. Carmen runs away crying bc she thinks the family is DEPORTING HER BACK TO ITALY.

She panics and runs away on her horse and hangs in a park to mull things over. She accidentally falls asleep and when she wakes up, her horse is GONE. She's crying and running around looking for the horse and she decides to go check the molasses tank. YUP the horse is there licking the tank.

ALL OF A SUDDEN a screw shoots out of the tank and hits the horse in the neck, and her noble steed bolts. A bunch of other screws shoot out and the molasses tank busts open. NOW SHES DROWNING IN A 20 FT WAVE OF MOLASSES. Literally she's just holding on and thinking of her dad even though her leg is being cut to shit by metal shrapnel.

She comes to 3 days later in a hospital and she's good, but her leg is still messed up. When she goes back to Tony's family's house they are cooking a special dinner for her when guess who walks in the door???? That's right it's her grandma who came over after she heard that Carmen's dad died. Tony's family was talking about HER voyage to America, they weren't trying to deport the orphan child in their care. Carmen and her Nonna are hugging and crying and SO AM I.

So that was the book. Honestly I learned a lot about the molasses flood. Also this was way more hardcore than I was expecting.

Fav quote: "The more she flailed, the deeper she sank. Beneath the surface, claws of metal raked into her leg, splitting open her flesh. She felt her blood spill out, gushing into the swirling river that was carrying her away. It was no use struggling, she realized. The molasses was too strong, too powerful. How did she think she could fight back?"

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical novel written for children, one of a series about specific events in history all titled, "I Survived . . ." Tarshis wrote an informative and engaging story with a factual basis but invented characters. I particularly liked the author's epilogue, which provided additional information about the incident, the time period, and other details that might spur a young reader to want to learn more. She also pointed out influences this particular event had on the future; in this case, it was the first instance in America when a large company was held accountable for damages caused by its own negligence. I will keep this series in mind for children in the 7 to 10 age group, as it seems to be an easy way to introduce a child to historical fiction, develop the child's sense of history, and perhaps to encourage a desire to learn more about our past and its influences on our present and future.

[Anthony Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

People would not believe how many themes there are in this book. I Survived the Great Molasses Flood had many themes relating to natural disasters. Taking place in 1919, Lauren Tarshis wrote this to show the events that happened during this disaster. She writes about a person who survived the flood in Boston and told the story.

At the beginning of the book, Carmen and Tony make their way home as they do every day. Out of nowhere, a big tank breaks open filling the streets with thick sticky substances. This book goes into precise details about how the flood happened. Firstly, the flood caused severe damage to the city of Boston. On page 34 Tarshis states “Papa grabbed a shutter from a ruined house. He climbed upon it, and told Carmen to hold his back”. The process of getting out of the dangerous flood was grueling. On page 35 it states “They floated on the shutters for hours”.

As a thirty-five mile an hour liquid floods the streets Carmen and her family try to find safety. They realize that throughout life people lose things. Tarshis states “Carmen understood that some things get taken away, no matter how hard you try to hold on to them”. Tarshis is showing that even if we want to keep things sometimes it is best to let them go. Another lesson from this story is that people will sometimes not know when their last time with someone is. Carmen and Tony take their friendship for granted and it could have gotten taken away in an instance. Carmen also lost her papa in the story. On page 46, the author says “Carmen leaned against the tree. She imagined her grandfather’s arms around her”. Overall, I learned a lot from reading this book. It is a light, nice read that anyone can read on a relaxing day. Not only did I enjoy reading this book, I learned from it.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chose this audiobook to listen to with the kids. We chose it because of our fascination of the weird title. I've never heard of the Great Molasses Flood and was excited to learn more about it. This book was disappointing in that aspect and frankly seemed a little falsely advertised because it was a lot more about immigrants and the Spanish flu outbreak than the molasses flood which was only lightly touched on. Also I wasn't a big fan of the self-righteous lecture by the woke author at the end.

Overall I suppose it was mildly informative and interesting for the target audience (elementry school kids) but I wish there was more in it about the molasses....if you think the title is crazy I would suggest skipping the book and just googling it.

[M.K. Aneal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Tarshis weaves another carefully crafted children's story with an abundance of adventure! This addition to the, "I Survived," series is a gem. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the details...but especially the fact that this tragedy I'd never learned of before. This was fun and new, albeit a bit more sad than the other stories. This particular book adds a lot of sorrow, but all for a realistic picture of life for kids. "The sadness does not define us; it's what we do amidst life's troubles that make us who we are."

[LPR · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUPER SHOOK ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION
I was processing books for the school library and I had to type in this title and says to me 'Excuse me the Great WHAT of WHAT' and then I read the whole thing and let me tell you: SUPER SHOOK

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My great grandfather was in the North End the day of the great molasses flood, interesting to read about it from a child’s perspective.

First time a corporation was forced to pay damages to victims, so at least something good came of it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Needed an author with these initials and stumbled across this book. I thought this would be a fun story but it is an actual tragedy that occurred. I learned so much from this book and look forward to reading others in the series.

[Blaire Watanabe]

A great read aloud with my kids. The story is about an event we had never heard about and it seemed comical that it was about a molasses flood. But it was a serious disaster that could have been prevented. I’ve never read an I Survived book before but me and my kids learned so much. We loved all the extra facts at the end of the story.

[Michelle Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the I Survived books are so well-written and this one did not disappoint. My third graders were so interested in Carmen's story. The first I had ever heard of this event was a History Channel podcast, so I was excited to share this book with my 3rd grade!