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Table of Contents
About The Book
“A captivating…thrilling adventure story that shows the power of friendship, hope, and forgiveness.” —Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series
In the wake of Lifeboat 12 comes a World War II novel-in-verse by acclaimed author Susan Hood about two very real girls who clung together for dear life when their evacuee ship was torpedoed, their lifeboat capsized, and they spent nineteen hours in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting for rescue.
When Nazi bombs begin to destroy Bess Walder’s hometown of East London, Bess convinces her parents to evacuate her and her younger brother, Louis, to Canada aboard the SS City of Benares. On the journey, she meets another evacuee, Beth Cummings. Bess and Beth have a lot in common—both strong and athletic, both named for Queen Elizabeth, both among the older kids on the ship, and both excited about life in Canada.
On the fifth day at sea, everyone starts to relax, but trouble is right behind them. That night, a Nazi U-boat torpedoes the Benares. As their luxury liner starts to sink, Bess and Beth rush to abandon ship aboard their assigned lifeboat.
Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 5 is about two young girls with the courage to persevere against the odds and the strength to forgive.
In the wake of Lifeboat 12 comes a World War II novel-in-verse by acclaimed author Susan Hood about two very real girls who clung together for dear life when their evacuee ship was torpedoed, their lifeboat capsized, and they spent nineteen hours in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting for rescue.
When Nazi bombs begin to destroy Bess Walder’s hometown of East London, Bess convinces her parents to evacuate her and her younger brother, Louis, to Canada aboard the SS City of Benares. On the journey, she meets another evacuee, Beth Cummings. Bess and Beth have a lot in common—both strong and athletic, both named for Queen Elizabeth, both among the older kids on the ship, and both excited about life in Canada.
On the fifth day at sea, everyone starts to relax, but trouble is right behind them. That night, a Nazi U-boat torpedoes the Benares. As their luxury liner starts to sink, Bess and Beth rush to abandon ship aboard their assigned lifeboat.
Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 5 is about two young girls with the courage to persevere against the odds and the strength to forgive.
About The Author
Photograph courtesy of the author
Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada’s Violin, Alias Anna, Harboring Hope, The Last Straw, Lifeboat 12, and Shaking Things Up. Susan is the recipient of the E.B. White Honor Award, two Christopher Awards, the Américas Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given to “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.” In addition to winning many state reading awards, Susan’s books have been named a National Jewish Book Awards finalist, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book, a NCTE Notable Poetry Book, a NSTA Best Stem Book of the Year, an Amazon Teachers’ Pick, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Visit her at SusanHoodBooks.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 8, 2024)
- Length: 272 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665943260
- Ages: 8 - 12
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Raves and Reviews
"A captivating read that will engage all kinds of readers with a thrilling adventure story that shows the power of friendship, hope, and forgiveness."
– -Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series.
“Told in heartfelt, fast-paced verse, LIFEBOAT 5 is an excellent way for young readers to learn about this courageous and inspiring historical event."
– Veera Hiranandani, author of Amil and The After and Newbery Honoree The Night Diary
“This poetic rendering captures how love and hope, friendship and the will to survive can conquer all. Susan Hood’s Lifeboat 5 defines the force of the human spirit in one historic moment.”
– Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of the Scott O'Dell Winner for Historic Fiction,
"A true story of hope, resilience, and the bonds that save us. In Lifeboat 5, author Susan Hood shines a light on the darkness of war, reminding the reader that friendship is life’s real hero in this powerful telling. An absolute must-read!"
– Elly Swartz, author of Hidden Truths
“A thrilling you-are-there survival story of wartime bravery and the unbreakable friendship between two heroic girls. Readers will be riveted from page one.”
– Barbara Dee, author of Maybe He Just Likes You and Unstuck
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Lifeboat 5 eBook 9781665943260
- Author Photo (jpg): Susan Hood Photograph courtesy of the author(0.1 MB)
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