Iceberg, Right Ahead!: The Tragedy of the Titanic
The story opens on the fateful night of April 14, 1912, when a lookout on the Titanic calls the bridge to report, “Iceberg, right ahead!” A few hours later, the ship rests at the bottom of the ocean and about two-thirds of those aboard have died. Hugely informative, this large-format volume discusses matters such as the planning and building of the enormous ship, the fanfare surrounding its maiden voyage, ice in the North Atlantic, communications with other ships, and the reactions of passengers and crew during and after the catastrophe. Sidebars spotlight individuals on board and carry information related to the story. The final chapters look at later explorations of the sunken ship as well as representations of the event in art, literature, and film. Back matter includes a time line, a glossary, source notes, a selected bibliography, and lists of recommended books, websites, and DVDs. Illustrated mainly with period photos, this handsome, clearly written book is a solid resource for the learning about the Titanic 100 years later. Grades 6-10. --Carolyn Phelan