Maintains a brisk pace and clearly depicts riveting maritime action.
The daring and dangerous rescue of a ship caught in the maelstrom of Hurricane Sandy.
In late October 2012, Connecticut was bracing for the arrival of Sandy, which was moving north from the Bahamas. Capt. Robin Walbridge, 63, who had been through hurricanes before, decided to outmaneuver the coming storm by taking his ship, the HMS Bounty, out of the path of the storm. Modeled after the legendary 18th-century merchant vessel, this modern three-masted ship was built in 1960 for use in the maritime drama Mutiny on the Bounty and also featured in two Pirates of the Caribbean movies. After reinforcing several parts of the ship, Walbridge and his 15 crew members left New London for St. Petersburg, Florida. The authors document the crew members’ various apprehensions and misgivings, but among them there was broad respect for the captain. The backstories of these men and women are peppered through the narrative in tidbits that don’t slow the propulsive story. Each titled chapter reads like an episode in a serialized adventure tale, often beginning with the ship’s location and ending with a cliffhanger. The courage of the crew, the high-stakes battles with the elements, and the ensuing tragedy are hallmarks of the tale. Analysis of what happened, which would have slackened the story’s accelerating velocity, is saved for culminating notes by both Tougias and Campbell.
Maintains a brisk pace and clearly depicts riveting maritime action. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-250-83139-2
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A hardworking addition to U.S. history shelves.
In 1776, some of the most respected men in Great Britain’s American Colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, a revolutionary—but not necessarily transparent—document.
Although the declaration is one of the key documents of American history, its sometimes-archaic language may mystify young citizens of the 21st century. After a few pages of introductory information that describes the conflicts faced by colonists before the Revolutionary War, this effort presents the declaration line by line, explaining the concepts, defining confusing words and ideas, and illuminating the intent of the signers in the context of the time. Occasionally, in sections headed “Think Deeper,” the author asks pointed, thoughtful questions on a variety of issues that have never been fully resolved in the past 245 years, without devolving into revisionist history. The format places original text on verso with the translation on recto, but clever design keeps readers engaged. The double-page spreads are neatly laid out, many including portraits of Founding Fathers presented against appealing, brightly colored backgrounds that vary from spread to spread. A variety of maps, cartoon characters, and period illustrations extend the text. With a reading level appropriate to the upper grade schoolers who are often introduced to this tumultuous period of history, this engaging and surprisingly entertaining effort seems like the perfect choice to accompany and expand lesson plans. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A hardworking addition to U.S. history shelves. (bibliography) (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-638190-48-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Bushel & Peck Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This glossy, colorful title in the “I Want To Be” series has visual appeal but poor organization and a fuzzy focus, which limits its usefulness. Each double-paged layout introduces a new topic with six to eight full-color photographs and a single column of text. Topics include types of environmentalists, eco-issues, waste renewal, education, High School of Environmental Studies, environmental vocabulary, history of environmentalism, famous environmentalists, and the return of the eagle. Often the photographs have little to do with the text or are marginal to the topic. For example, a typical layout called “Some Alternative Solutions” has five snapshots superimposed on a double-page photograph of a California wind farm. The text discusses ways to develop alternative forms of energy and “encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles.” Photos include “a healer who treats a patient with alternative therapy using sound and massage,” and “the Castle,” a house built of “used tires and aluminum cans.” Elsewhere, “Did You Know . . . ” shows a dramatic photo of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but the text provides odd facts such as “ . . . that in Saudi Arabia there are solar-powered pay phones in the desert?” Some sections seem stuck in, a two-page piece on the effects of “El Niño” or 50 postage-stamp–sized photos of endangered species. The author concludes with places to write for more information and a list of photo credits. Pretty, but little here to warrant purchase. (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-15-201862-X
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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