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Titanic #1
Unsinkable
The ultimate action/adventure trilogy begins, with #1 bestselling author Gordon Korman plunging readers into the heart of the Titanic.
The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately. The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms. . . .
The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately. The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms. . . .
170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
181 people are currently reading
2602 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
248 books4,403 followersGordon 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
July 22, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I was always fascinated by the Titanic
What I thought
This was a nice little book there wasn't much Titanic action but we get to meet an interesting bunch of characters. I loved how each character was different from the last and they had interesting stories to tell. I'm not usually a big fan of historical fiction but it was cool to see them interact with the big names on the Titanic and know those people were actually there and lived it. I guess that's the point of historical fiction but like I said I don't read it alot. With that said I thought this was good little read
Why this book?
I was always fascinated by the Titanic
What I thought
This was a nice little book there wasn't much Titanic action but we get to meet an interesting bunch of characters. I loved how each character was different from the last and they had interesting stories to tell. I'm not usually a big fan of historical fiction but it was cool to see them interact with the big names on the Titanic and know those people were actually there and lived it. I guess that's the point of historical fiction but like I said I don't read it alot. With that said I thought this was good little read
April 24, 2022
Definitely recommended!
Not all books hold their own through a reread, but this one did! Perhaps it was simply my adoration toward the audiobook (if you're going to try this one, I'd beg you to use the audiobook version!) and Paddy's endearing Irish accent, but I found Unsinkable to be just as fun and exciting as I remembered it to be from when I was younger.
Whether you're a historical fiction reader or not, this series is worth it. It's quick and easy to read (or listen to!), not to mention fun and exciting.
Content warnings: One main character lived a life as a street thief before boarding the Titanic. Another main character’s father has issues with alcohol and gambling, but the author makes it clear that this is a bad thing.
I would hesitate a little to recommend this series for children under 10 because of disturbing content. I did read this book myself when I was around 9 or 10 and ended up doing a Google search about the White Chapel murders. Long story short, it wasn't a good idea. However, my sister, in turn, also read this series when she was 10, and besides being a little afraid in one scene of Book 1, she was fine. With its twists and turns, Korman’s Titanic series is superb for reluctant readers, but parents should read the books themselves first to make sure that the series is something they are okay with their child(ren) reading.
Not all books hold their own through a reread, but this one did! Perhaps it was simply my adoration toward the audiobook (if you're going to try this one, I'd beg you to use the audiobook version!) and Paddy's endearing Irish accent, but I found Unsinkable to be just as fun and exciting as I remembered it to be from when I was younger.
Whether you're a historical fiction reader or not, this series is worth it. It's quick and easy to read (or listen to!), not to mention fun and exciting.
Content warnings: One main character lived a life as a street thief before boarding the Titanic. Another main character’s father has issues with alcohol and gambling, but the author makes it clear that this is a bad thing.
I would hesitate a little to recommend this series for children under 10 because of disturbing content. I did read this book myself when I was around 9 or 10 and ended up doing a Google search about the White Chapel murders. Long story short, it wasn't a good idea. However, my sister, in turn, also read this series when she was 10, and besides being a little afraid in one scene of Book 1, she was fine. With its twists and turns, Korman’s Titanic series is superb for reluctant readers, but parents should read the books themselves first to make sure that the series is something they are okay with their child(ren) reading.
February 3, 2014
OH MY LAND, I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW GOOD THIS WAS.
From my previous experience with Gordon Korman's books, I was expecting, at the most, a rating of 4 or 4.5 stars. BUT THIS. His switch to historical fiction is refreshing, and he's hit the nail on the head with all his research and the vivid characters and twists!
This isn't your average story about the individual people aboard the Titanic and how they led separate lives aboard the ship on her maiden voyage just before their demises. This is a story about four lives (and a few more if you want to count the people they come into contact with, including J. Bruce Ismay, Captain E. J. Smith, and Thomas Andrews, all big names concerning the RMS Titanic) that become intertwined through circumstances that they would have never dreamed of. All because they boarded the Titanic - on purpose or otherwise, as in Paddy's case.
I was going to rate it 4.5 stars because I thought something happened at the beginning of the book, and it made me really sad that Mr. Korman had to throw that in there.
Bravo, Mr. Korman! I'm completely hooked!
From my previous experience with Gordon Korman's books, I was expecting, at the most, a rating of 4 or 4.5 stars. BUT THIS. His switch to historical fiction is refreshing, and he's hit the nail on the head with all his research and the vivid characters and twists!
This isn't your average story about the individual people aboard the Titanic and how they led separate lives aboard the ship on her maiden voyage just before their demises. This is a story about four lives (and a few more if you want to count the people they come into contact with, including J. Bruce Ismay, Captain E. J. Smith, and Thomas Andrews, all big names concerning the RMS Titanic) that become intertwined through circumstances that they would have never dreamed of. All because they boarded the Titanic - on purpose or otherwise, as in Paddy's case.
I was going to rate it 4.5 stars because I thought something happened at the beginning of the book, and it made me really sad that Mr. Korman had to throw that in there.
Bravo, Mr. Korman! I'm completely hooked!
May 9, 2011
Jake's Review: (Mom's note: Jake hates books on the Titanic, he only read this one because Gordon Korman wrote it.) I really did not like this book because there was way too much talking and it was kinda scary with all the gangster guys.There was way too much detail and I was bored a lot. I think he should have just made 1 story and not three, it would have been much more exciting. A couple of pictures would have been nice too. I think the language is too difficult for someone my age. Mom will love it though, she likes anything to do with the Titanic.
Jake's Rating: 1/10
Mom's Review: Extremely well written introduction to the Titanic tragedy and the lives of the young during the early 1900's for the middle school set. Lots of mystery and intrigue that will keep those in grades 4/5 interested, while at the same time teaching them a bit of history. The little buggers won't even realize they are being taught history as well as some moral lessons. And of course it's about the Titanic which is one of my interests. I highly recommend this as a book for middle school libraries, even better as required reading for a classroom library. Also a must have for all public libraries. As you can probably tell already I really enjoyed this one
Mom's Rating: 9/10
We received this book in exchange for an honest review, and you can really tell ya we gave you an honest opinion from Jake's Review -- Sorry Gordon, the boy does not like the Titanic!
Jake's Rating: 1/10
Mom's Review: Extremely well written introduction to the Titanic tragedy and the lives of the young during the early 1900's for the middle school set. Lots of mystery and intrigue that will keep those in grades 4/5 interested, while at the same time teaching them a bit of history. The little buggers won't even realize they are being taught history as well as some moral lessons. And of course it's about the Titanic which is one of my interests. I highly recommend this as a book for middle school libraries, even better as required reading for a classroom library. Also a must have for all public libraries. As you can probably tell already I really enjoyed this one
Mom's Rating: 9/10
We received this book in exchange for an honest review, and you can really tell ya we gave you an honest opinion from Jake's Review -- Sorry Gordon, the boy does not like the Titanic!
April 6, 2018
A fun group of characters set aboard the Titanic and enter a great floating world. Suspense and intrigue meets them at every turn...I read this so fast. It was simple to understand and so full of fun facts.
I love everything about the Titanic ship and seriously the author has painted it so realistic. It made me want to hop aboard and explore (and jump off before it sunk). Okay, I've read books surrounding the Titanic. Fictional books just like this one and it always, always focuses on the first class. I love how this one focused on stewards and those sort of people. And seriously, racing all over a ship while a gangster is after you!!
I cracked up over Amelia Bronson. Her poor daughter. Seriously. I love how the author painted Amelia in a comical light, because that is certainly how she appears to me. Juliana's, Paddy, and Alfie are the other three main characters who come connected in the story.
There were a couple uses of "devil", one time God's name was used in vain, and one swear word at the end. It is what people would call a "clean" fiction, with several reverent mentions of God and prayer. I wouldn't consider it Christian, though.
So excited to continue reading this series (now that I have all three!)
I love everything about the Titanic ship and seriously the author has painted it so realistic. It made me want to hop aboard and explore (and jump off before it sunk). Okay, I've read books surrounding the Titanic. Fictional books just like this one and it always, always focuses on the first class. I love how this one focused on stewards and those sort of people. And seriously, racing all over a ship while a gangster is after you!!
I cracked up over Amelia Bronson. Her poor daughter. Seriously. I love how the author painted Amelia in a comical light, because that is certainly how she appears to me. Juliana's, Paddy, and Alfie are the other three main characters who come connected in the story.
There were a couple uses of "devil", one time God's name was used in vain, and one swear word at the end. It is what people would call a "clean" fiction, with several reverent mentions of God and prayer. I wouldn't consider it Christian, though.
So excited to continue reading this series (now that I have all three!)
June 4, 2018
{Okay, this is my second attempt to write this review. The first time, I had finished it, was about to save it and the internet turned off! And deleted my whole review in the process! *bangs head on the desk in front of me* WHY?!} Anyway.
Wow! That was incredible!
The Characters:
First, there was quite a lot of characters in this book, so I'll just mention the main ones!
Paddy and Daniel - loved them even though they lived on the streets and were "professional" stealers! They had such funny personalities that were totally different from each other! But they were best friends! <3
Alfie - he was great!! Sad about his ma, but at least he had his Dad - even though that's not the grandest thing either!
Juliana - a rich snob who's Father is a wealthy man that enjoys gambling and drinking! I'm glad she ended up helping Paddy at the end though!
Sophia - okay, I liked her, but her mother? Ha! A totally different story. Her mom has some problems with feminism which gets her into trouble!
The Story-line:
It was amazing!! I've only read one book involving the Titanic, so it was neat to read more about it! Mr. Korman writes really well and the details are great! (Obviously, I don't know if they're all accurate, but my sister has read this series - she knows a lot about the titanic, etc - and she enjoyed it! I'll trust that to be good! :D) I loved the different stories the author put in the lives of the main characters, and that added twist was great!
Content:
A couple swear words, but they were marked out because my sister read this before me!
All-in-all:
Loved it! I can't wait to read the next one - I'm so glad I have it one hand! They are easy-reads that any age range would enjoy! Definitely a book to read for a readathon!! ;)
That ending though! It was so frustrating! I literally read it out-loud to my family, slammed the book on the table, and pounded it my fist! But I'm not going to put it here on my review. If you want to know what I'm talking about, you'd better read the book! It'll be worth it, because it's pretty amazing! And, if I must add, that little bit of frustration did not affect my rating. *coughs and winks*
READ IT!
5*****
Wow! That was incredible!
The Characters:
First, there was quite a lot of characters in this book, so I'll just mention the main ones!
Paddy and Daniel - loved them even though they lived on the streets and were "professional" stealers! They had such funny personalities that were totally different from each other! But they were best friends! <3
Alfie - he was great!! Sad about his ma, but at least he had his Dad - even though that's not the grandest thing either!
Juliana - a rich snob who's Father is a wealthy man that enjoys gambling and drinking! I'm glad she ended up helping Paddy at the end though!
Sophia - okay, I liked her, but her mother? Ha! A totally different story. Her mom has some problems with feminism which gets her into trouble!
The Story-line:
It was amazing!! I've only read one book involving the Titanic, so it was neat to read more about it! Mr. Korman writes really well and the details are great! (Obviously, I don't know if they're all accurate, but my sister has read this series - she knows a lot about the titanic, etc - and she enjoyed it! I'll trust that to be good! :D) I loved the different stories the author put in the lives of the main characters, and that added twist was great!
Content:
A couple swear words, but they were marked out because my sister read this before me!
All-in-all:
Loved it! I can't wait to read the next one - I'm so glad I have it one hand! They are easy-reads that any age range would enjoy! Definitely a book to read for a readathon!! ;)
That ending though! It was so frustrating! I literally read it out-loud to my family, slammed the book on the table, and pounded it my fist! But I'm not going to put it here on my review. If you want to know what I'm talking about, you'd better read the book! It'll be worth it, because it's pretty amazing! And, if I must add, that little bit of frustration did not affect my rating. *coughs and winks*
READ IT!
5*****
April 1, 2012
I cannot wait to read the next book! Unsinkable is a historical fiction novel aimed for readers 12 and above. Korman introduces four very different characters aboard the Titanic and describes their lives. The book is written with great detail which I love! It easy to picture the images, people, and settings described. I have always been very interested in the Titanic story and this book really fed my reading appetite. After discussing lives and setting up a great plot, the warning of ice was delivered to the captain and he stuck it in his pocket without reading it. Ugh, I hate being left like that, but I love to anticipate how the story will unfold. Unsinkable is appealing to young readers because it is an amazing, unbelievable true story. When I first heard of Titanic, via the movie, I was 12 and extremely intrigued in the story. I always wanted to know more and it is exciting to hear different life stories about passengers. This is a great story to reference history to instruct children.
October 12, 2011
This book was AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I loved it. During the whole book I just kept thinking to myself what's gonna happen next, and you'd just be on you're toes the whole time. So far I've only read the first one because my language arts teacher had let me borrow it. So I can't wait to borrow the 2nd and 3rd one. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any age big or small, anybody or any person can read it!!!
May 31, 2016
Very engaging and enthralling!! I love everything Titanic, and this middle grade book is just fantastic. I love the writing, and it is very page turning. I look forward to the next 2 books in the series.
March 18, 2025
All three books will have to be read in order to see a beginning to end. I'm not sure I'm invested enough to do that though. They are short reads for sure, but I'm just not sure I want to at this point. I like Paddy. He's had a rough go, but makes the best of it.
Rating: PG
Language: implied swearing
Recommend: maybe
Rating: PG
Language: implied swearing
Recommend: maybe
Read
May 25, 2025I remember reading this book as a kid and I still think about it to this day. That’s how good I remember it being. The fact that I still remember it and want to finish the series says a lot. I may have to reread just to solidify my rating.
May 19, 2021
BAD, BOARING, SLOW, YOU HAVE TO READ EVERY BOOK IN THE SERIES TO SEE IT SINK! IT DOESN'T SINK IN THIS BOOK! IT IS LITTERALY NOT EXITING 𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙇 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙀𝙉𝘿! But I do have to admitt the ending was pretty exiting so maybe it was worth the wait, although it was boaring in more that half the book, the end really stood out, so I was going to give it 2 stars but I just changed it because the end is so strong that I think 3 stars is good.
October 20, 2014
I’ve never been much of a reader but when I started reading Titanic: Unsinkable, I’m starting to read more. At the beginning I wasn’t sure whether I would like the book or not but as it progressed I started to enjoy it. This is only the first book out of three and there was a lot of suspense in this one. The main characters in this one are Paddy Burns, Alfie Huggins, Juliana Glamm, and Sophie Bronson. Paddy is an accidental stowaway. Paddy is from the mean streets of Belfast, England hiding from some big and scary gangsters who are after him. Sophie and her mom are delivered to the ship after being arrested for something women had been wanting for a long time. Juliana is the daughter of the Earl of Glamford. Juliana is embarrassed and maybe a little ashamed by her dad. He is often drunk and likes to use his money to Gamble. Alfie is a kid who lied about his actual age so he could work on the Titanic. These four don’t know each other very well but as the story goes on they end up helping each other through a series of events aboard the Titanic. This book ends in a cliffhanger and it makes me want to read the second and third books as soon as I can. Right now the suspense is killing me and I need to get my hands on those books. I may only be on the first book of the series but I seriously recommend reading these books.
January 1, 2019
In this first book of a three-part series, the author chooses to follow four teenage characters in a clever, fast-paced fictional retelling of the famous sea disaster. There’s Paddy, a poor boy in Belfast, who lives a hard-scrabble street life picking pockets, Alfie, who lies about his age to sign on for a job as a steward, Sophie, whose mother is an embarrassingly aggressive suffragette, and Juliana, who is traveling with her gambling addicted father, the Earl of Glanford. In this book we meet the characters as Paddy becomes a stowaway, the Titanic sets off for the voyage to America, and he is befriended by the other teens.
August 20, 2011
Gordon Korman has a really great beginning here for his new series about the Titanic. Lives of four diverse young people from England, Ireland, and United States will become intertwined on the voyage and we are left with a powerful cliff hanger when the first book ends. Characters are very good and historical facts and settings most interesting! One the whole family could listen to and enjoy.
July 12, 2016
It's a good intro to the trilogy
June 2, 2017
I liked the book Titanic Because it was a realistic fiction on the Titanic.
August 23, 2020
3.5 stars
I am fascinated with all things Titanic, so i was excited when I discovered this book. Not bothering with the blurb, everyone knows how a story about the Titanic is going to end, I was surprised that Unsinkable was written for younger teens.
The book focuses on four teens aboard the luxury steamship. From different socio economic backgrounds and various parts of the world, Paddy, Alfie, Juliana and Sophie, become acquainted through unexpected circumstances. Each of them were very likeable but they had their own issues and because of their varying statuses, the reader is given a wonderful insight into life aboard the Titanic from the boiler rooms to the grand staircase and everything in between. While I enjoyed each of the teens' stories, Paddy's was definitely the one that had the most excitement and adventure as he tried to avoid being discovered as a stowaway.
It is obvious the series is just beginning because the four teens only know each other fleetingly at the moment, so I am expecting their friendship to grow and develop in the subsequent books.
I intended to read something totally different after I finished Unsinkable, but because the novel ended when Jack Phillips, the senior wireless operator, handed Captain Smith the message about the ice ahead and he placed it unread in his pocket, I decided to set the book aside and continue with the drama and sense of doom surrounding the Titanic and its passengers and crew members. A great start to a new series.
I am fascinated with all things Titanic, so i was excited when I discovered this book. Not bothering with the blurb, everyone knows how a story about the Titanic is going to end, I was surprised that Unsinkable was written for younger teens.
The book focuses on four teens aboard the luxury steamship. From different socio economic backgrounds and various parts of the world, Paddy, Alfie, Juliana and Sophie, become acquainted through unexpected circumstances. Each of them were very likeable but they had their own issues and because of their varying statuses, the reader is given a wonderful insight into life aboard the Titanic from the boiler rooms to the grand staircase and everything in between. While I enjoyed each of the teens' stories, Paddy's was definitely the one that had the most excitement and adventure as he tried to avoid being discovered as a stowaway.
It is obvious the series is just beginning because the four teens only know each other fleetingly at the moment, so I am expecting their friendship to grow and develop in the subsequent books.
I intended to read something totally different after I finished Unsinkable, but because the novel ended when Jack Phillips, the senior wireless operator, handed Captain Smith the message about the ice ahead and he placed it unread in his pocket, I decided to set the book aside and continue with the drama and sense of doom surrounding the Titanic and its passengers and crew members. A great start to a new series.
August 29, 2023
I have always been fascinated by Titanic and its eventual sinking so when I came across this book, I just knew I had to give it a try.
The 4 main characters in this one - Alfie, Paddy, Sophie and Julie are all teenagers and aboard the titanic in different capacities. It was quite fascinating to read about how they came about traveling on this magnificent ship. Including Jack the Ripper in the plot was clever as well. I really enjoyed this book, this is all a work of fiction yet the tragedy that struck in real life - the book manages to remind everyone of the pain and loss.
I was disappointed that I'd have to pick up the next book in the series to read about the collision and the aftermath, this one was essentially an introduction to the Titanic itself and the MCs getting to know one another.
3 stars.
The 4 main characters in this one - Alfie, Paddy, Sophie and Julie are all teenagers and aboard the titanic in different capacities. It was quite fascinating to read about how they came about traveling on this magnificent ship. Including Jack the Ripper in the plot was clever as well. I really enjoyed this book, this is all a work of fiction yet the tragedy that struck in real life - the book manages to remind everyone of the pain and loss.
I was disappointed that I'd have to pick up the next book in the series to read about the collision and the aftermath, this one was essentially an introduction to the Titanic itself and the MCs getting to know one another.
3 stars.
April 27, 2025
So, in order to know the full story, one really must read all three books in this series. Reading the first book alone feels like an unfinished job and like I read only one third of the book. I know Gordon Korman is a popular author amongst the sixth-graders I teach, but I don’t think this book was very well written. Perhaps my book club students will think differently. We are about to do a short research unit on the Titanic, and it seemed that reading a Titanic novel was appropriate, but this one is not really all that much about the Titanic. It’s about this Jack the Ripper murderer who is on board the ship and how four kids’ lives are going to intertwine…but they haven’t intertwined too much yet since I only read one third of the story. I don’t think I care enough about what is supposed to be a pretty decent ending to want to read books two and three.
April 28, 2017
This book was a 3 for me until it jumped the shark with a Jack the Ripper subplot out of nowhere. I like Gordon Korman as an author, but that felt way out in left field to me. I was invested in the characters and just didn't think it was necessary. I probably won't read on in the series, which is too bad, because I think it had potential. I'll still booktalk it to my students though... it might be something they'd like.
October 3, 2018
Well I can already tell that this series is gonna be good. Although some things did go over my head I think that the book did a good job going over everything again and making sure the reader understands the details. You do need to pay attention and try not to drift off. I would give it a 3.5 in my books.
March 7, 2020
What a great version of the Titanic Tale told from the perspective of a few teenagers. Korman did a great job capturing the division of the different social classes prevalent during this historical time.
October 30, 2017
Really like the intro, sad times though.
April 10, 2018
I liked the book Titanic Because it was a realistic fiction on the Titanic.
February 7, 2016
Personal Response:
This book was just OK. It was obviously meant for a younger class of kids as Gordon Korman is a children's writer. The book was actually my brother's but I saw it one day and had an interest in it, so I started reading. The author kept me into his book with parts that had suspense and others that were quite boring. Since it was a children's book though, it wasn't all that great for me.
Plot:
The book was always transitioning from one person's perspective to another. It was mostly focused on four people: Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie.
Paddy lived in Belfast where the Titanic was built and launched. He was basically a street beggar with his friend Daniel, but they happened to be friends with Thomas Andrews, the designer of the great ship. Daniel was killed by some Belfast gangsters and Paddy was able to escape by hiding in some of the ship's cargo only to be loaded onto the ship. He stayed on the ship in the cargo hold and is a stowaway on the voyage to America.
Sophie was the daughter of a women's suffragist Amelia Bronston. Her only purpose to her mother is to pay her bail to get out of jail for her unruly suffragist acts. The two are originally from America and they came to Europe to promote the cause in both Europe and America. They were heading back to America on the Titanic's first class.
Juliana is daughter of the Earl of Glamford. She is very privileged by her father and will ride the Titanic's first class. The father - daughter pair is going to America for her father's oil business. What Juliana doesn't yet know is that her father plans to have her marry one of his associate's four sons in America.
Alfie is only 14 years old and was left by his mother to live with his father. The only problem is that his father works for the White Star Line and hardly ever sees Alfie. In order to be with his father more, Alfie applies for a steward job on the Titanic's maiden voyage even though he is one year under age. On every opportunity he gets, he goes down to the boiler rooms where his father works as a coal tender and has a quick conversation and gets back to work so as not to arouse suspicion.
Danger lurks around every corner of the massive ship. Will the four kids stick it out or will something unexpected happen? Only time will tell on the cruise over the Atlantic.
Recommendation:
Again, this book is not really meant for high school kids. I would only recommend this book for kids about age 8 to 12. It is a realistic fiction book with false characters but a true story line that I think any gender would like. I think it has the ability to attract the attention of any young kid who wants to read a book.
This book was just OK. It was obviously meant for a younger class of kids as Gordon Korman is a children's writer. The book was actually my brother's but I saw it one day and had an interest in it, so I started reading. The author kept me into his book with parts that had suspense and others that were quite boring. Since it was a children's book though, it wasn't all that great for me.
Plot:
The book was always transitioning from one person's perspective to another. It was mostly focused on four people: Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie.
Paddy lived in Belfast where the Titanic was built and launched. He was basically a street beggar with his friend Daniel, but they happened to be friends with Thomas Andrews, the designer of the great ship. Daniel was killed by some Belfast gangsters and Paddy was able to escape by hiding in some of the ship's cargo only to be loaded onto the ship. He stayed on the ship in the cargo hold and is a stowaway on the voyage to America.
Sophie was the daughter of a women's suffragist Amelia Bronston. Her only purpose to her mother is to pay her bail to get out of jail for her unruly suffragist acts. The two are originally from America and they came to Europe to promote the cause in both Europe and America. They were heading back to America on the Titanic's first class.
Juliana is daughter of the Earl of Glamford. She is very privileged by her father and will ride the Titanic's first class. The father - daughter pair is going to America for her father's oil business. What Juliana doesn't yet know is that her father plans to have her marry one of his associate's four sons in America.
Alfie is only 14 years old and was left by his mother to live with his father. The only problem is that his father works for the White Star Line and hardly ever sees Alfie. In order to be with his father more, Alfie applies for a steward job on the Titanic's maiden voyage even though he is one year under age. On every opportunity he gets, he goes down to the boiler rooms where his father works as a coal tender and has a quick conversation and gets back to work so as not to arouse suspicion.
Danger lurks around every corner of the massive ship. Will the four kids stick it out or will something unexpected happen? Only time will tell on the cruise over the Atlantic.
Recommendation:
Again, this book is not really meant for high school kids. I would only recommend this book for kids about age 8 to 12. It is a realistic fiction book with false characters but a true story line that I think any gender would like. I think it has the ability to attract the attention of any young kid who wants to read a book.
March 8, 2011
As the Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England on her maiden voyage in April 1912, among the many passengers and crew on board are four young teenagers with very different lives: Juliana, Sophie, Paddy, and Alfie. Juliana and Sophie are two girls who are both traveling in first class. Juliana is traveling with her father, a wealthy earl, on a business trip to New York. She is embarassed by her father, who is often drunk and foolish and wastes money gambling. Like Juliana, Sophie is also embarrassed by the parent she is travelling with. Her mother is a famous suffragette who was thrown out of England and now they must return home to America. Paddy is a pickpocket from the slums of Belfast who accidentally stowed away in some cargo while hiding from gangsters. And Alfie is a young steward who lied about his age so that he could get hired to work on the Titanic.
These four young passengers don't have much in common at first, but they are soon thrown together by events on board the ship. Alfie finds himself helping Paddy so that his own secret of being too young to work on the ship is not revealed. He also learns there may be an infamous murderer on board. Juliana and Sophie thought their biggest worries during the voyage would be dealing with their embarrassing parents and avoiding their boring dinner companion, but soon they too are involved.
Unsinkable is the first book in the newest adventure trilogy by Gordon Korman. He has written several similar series before which I read years ago (I particularly liked his Island and Dive series) though this is his first with a historical setting. As the first book in the series it mostly introduces the characters and their situations, and how they meet on board the ship. All four of the characters are unique and sympathetic, although they are a bit stereotypical at times. The book does end on a cliffhanger, with books two and three to be published in August and September, and I wish it were sooner because I can't wait to find out what happens to these characters. The story of the Titanic is one people have been fascinated by for years and with the 100th anniversary next year I am sure this will be a popular series.
These four young passengers don't have much in common at first, but they are soon thrown together by events on board the ship. Alfie finds himself helping Paddy so that his own secret of being too young to work on the ship is not revealed. He also learns there may be an infamous murderer on board. Juliana and Sophie thought their biggest worries during the voyage would be dealing with their embarrassing parents and avoiding their boring dinner companion, but soon they too are involved.
Unsinkable is the first book in the newest adventure trilogy by Gordon Korman. He has written several similar series before which I read years ago (I particularly liked his Island and Dive series) though this is his first with a historical setting. As the first book in the series it mostly introduces the characters and their situations, and how they meet on board the ship. All four of the characters are unique and sympathetic, although they are a bit stereotypical at times. The book does end on a cliffhanger, with books two and three to be published in August and September, and I wish it were sooner because I can't wait to find out what happens to these characters. The story of the Titanic is one people have been fascinated by for years and with the 100th anniversary next year I am sure this will be a popular series.
April 14, 2021
I remember loving this trilogy in middle school. And, after remembering its existence at 11 pm one night, I decided I would reread it and see what happens. I'm not quite sure why I have this obsession with rereading books I loved in middle school--when my tastes were very different--but here I am.
Let me start by saying that I completely understand why I was a bit obsessed with this series. It focuses on the Titanic, which I was fascinated by. It also has quite a bit of action for a short book. We get chase scenes, investigative sub-plots (about Jack the Ripper of all people??), people in disguise, and orphans (whose stories I consistently love). My 12-year-old self loved all of this.
I'm not quite sure I loved it this time around. It was quite a bit different than I remembered but, considering I hadn't revisited this since I was roughly 12, it's understandable. I remembered it being a bit . . . more? But again, I haven't read it in years. I vaguely remembered some things but, generally, I went in blind.
I have a few critiques. The first is the number of POVs. There are four, which I found a bit unnecessary. And I kind of get it, you want to try to see all the populations on the Titanic. Four POVs allow you to do that. But I still felt that at least two of the POVs were unnecessary. They added almost nothing to the plot and I was a bit annoyed that the POVs switched all the time. But, from what I remember, as the story progresses the four POVs become a bit more important. Still, though, I think we could have done some condensing.
Another critique was the length. I kind of feel like the trilogy could have been condensed into one book instead of stringing it out over three. Again, I haven't read the other two in years and I have no intention of revisiting them so I may be entirely incorrect.
All in all, it was fun revisiting the story and I kind of had excellent taste in middle school, if I do say so myself. I can probably trace my love of the Titanic back to this story. I would recommend this book to those adventure-loving people who are significantly younger than me.
Let me start by saying that I completely understand why I was a bit obsessed with this series. It focuses on the Titanic, which I was fascinated by. It also has quite a bit of action for a short book. We get chase scenes, investigative sub-plots (about Jack the Ripper of all people??), people in disguise, and orphans (whose stories I consistently love). My 12-year-old self loved all of this.
I'm not quite sure I loved it this time around. It was quite a bit different than I remembered but, considering I hadn't revisited this since I was roughly 12, it's understandable. I remembered it being a bit . . . more? But again, I haven't read it in years. I vaguely remembered some things but, generally, I went in blind.
I have a few critiques. The first is the number of POVs. There are four, which I found a bit unnecessary. And I kind of get it, you want to try to see all the populations on the Titanic. Four POVs allow you to do that. But I still felt that at least two of the POVs were unnecessary. They added almost nothing to the plot and I was a bit annoyed that the POVs switched all the time. But, from what I remember, as the story progresses the four POVs become a bit more important. Still, though, I think we could have done some condensing.
Another critique was the length. I kind of feel like the trilogy could have been condensed into one book instead of stringing it out over three. Again, I haven't read the other two in years and I have no intention of revisiting them so I may be entirely incorrect.
All in all, it was fun revisiting the story and I kind of had excellent taste in middle school, if I do say so myself. I can probably trace my love of the Titanic back to this story. I would recommend this book to those adventure-loving people who are significantly younger than me.
June 1, 2018
My small 5th grade reading group just finished the first in the Titanic trilogy and begged to start the second. The story follows four young passengers as they travel along on the Titanic's maiden voyage. A stowaway, a steward with a secret, a young heiress, and an American girl with issues of her own become an unlikely set of friends in a set of events that unfurl. The story has enough history mixed with dramatic events that made my students beg to read "just one more chapter".
October 26, 2015
This first book in the "Titanic" series marks the beginning of a grand adventure. Wouldn't you have liked to have been there to see the Titanic? -- How gigantic it appeared on the outside & how lovely and fine everything was on the inside? You'll know the ins and outs of the ship after you're done reading "Unsinkable". You'll actually experience the Titanic from four different teens' points-of-view... The stowaway, the underage steward, the daughter of the Earl of Glamland, and the daughter women's rights advocate. They each come from a different life style and don't quite understand each other. They each have their own troubles and secrets.
I am definitely excited for book #2 to come out, so that I can see how all their stories continue & collide with each together.
(The only thing I don't approve of? Sophie's attitude towards her mother. Some of it was improper & inappropriate.)
I am definitely excited for book #2 to come out, so that I can see how all their stories continue & collide with each together.
(The only thing I don't approve of? Sophie's attitude towards her mother. Some of it was improper & inappropriate.)
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