Marvelous Middle Grade Monday #MMGM Book Review: Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

The Nazis have started dropping bombs every night in London. Thirteen-year-old Ken Sparks is scared when he goes to the bomb shelter with his father, stepmother, and little sister. But he knows he’ll be leaving soon. He’s going to be traveling to Canada on a large ship because he was one of the ninety kids between ages five and fifteen whose number was selected during the random lottery. Although Ken is sad to leave his little sister and father, he’s sure his stepmom is happy to have him gone. Ken doesn’t know how long he’ll be away from his family, but he tries to think of it like an adventure in one of the stories he loves to read. Ken has never experienced anything similar to the boat before. Between the seven course meals, the new toys for the kids to play with, and all the fine details, he feels like he’s in a dream. Then, one night the unexpected happens and a torpedo hits the ship. After he has to run back for a forgotten item, Ken ends up in Lifeboat 12 instead of the boat he was assigned.  Now he and the other members of Lifeboat 12 will need to try to survive until help comes along. But will they be able to ration the food and water in the boat? Where are the other lifeboats? Is anyone coming to save them? You’ll have to read this historical fiction book to find out.

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood was a fast and interesting read. When the author came to visit my school and talked about the research she did for this book, I knew I had to read it. She interviewed someone who had firsthand knowledge about the events! How cool is that? I enjoyed this book and it was told in verse, which I think made the story flow. Ken was a great character and one that was easy to relate to because he cared about his family, but he also liked to goof off and have fun. Reading about Ken’s experiences in England, on the boat to Canada, and in the lifeboat help get a glimpse of life during this time period. Susan Hood has written many books, but this is her first middle grade book, and it's fabulous! I highly recommend it to kids and adults in third grade and up who love to dive into history and find scenes that will surprise them.

Has anyone else read Lifeboat 12? Or have you read another book by Susan Hood? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~ L