TITANIC CROSSING

Williams (Beheaded, Survived, 1987, etc.) revisits the tragic sinking of the Titanic in this engrossing historical novel Albert, 13, and his sister Virginia, 6, are returning to America from England on the ill-fated ship with their recently widowed mother, Katherine. Also accompanying them is their Uncle Clay, sent by her late husband's wealthy mother to bring them home. Clay and his mother have heard reports that Katherine is being ""defiled"" by actresses and suffragists in London, and threaten to cut her off financially. Tense relationships dominate the first part of the book, as Albert tries to follow his father's order to ""be the man of the family."" He is given his opportunity, of course, when the ship hits an iceberg. Williams replays the ship's last three hours in slow motion, building suspense as the passengers realize what has happened. Real-life details (those musicians playing on) add to the evocation of the tragedy. Even young children are fascinated by this tale; a cinematic cover (a life-jacketed Albert in a watery foreground, the ship sinking behind him) will ensure the book's popularity.