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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
i did intend on reading this book as soon as it came out but time got away from me. nonetheless, this was an amazing book and story. i not only flew threw it (it took me like 3 days while having school on those days) and i learned about icebergs and how the titanic was built without it seeming info heavy. i have read so many books by this author and they just keep getting better and better. i completely recommend it!
I liked this a lot ... similar to the blockbuster movie, there is a lot of "before" as we meet Hazel and Charlie and a few other characters, and get a bit of a mystery. The iceberg doesn't hit until almost 75% of the way through. Young Hazel, bent on being a reporter, and "having a bad feeling" does quite a bit of research and questioning before the event, so we/the reader also have plenty of premonitions ... although anyone coming into the book already knows what is going to happen. I felt like I learned a little more about some of the issues (there was a coal fire early on - did that weaken the sides? The low life boat count, "refraction" lesson ... and why that could make seeing/avoiding icebergs so difficult).
1st person ... from the MC (12 year old girl) Hazel's POV. Past tense.
46 chronological chapters ... as mentioned, the iceberg doesn't hit until late, chapter 35. Chapter 1 ... perhaps that should have been a prologue? It was set "after" everything, very short, then Ch2 shifts to the start ... "Everything Seemed Perfect" Wednesday, April 10, 1912. The chapters had headers, which weren't included in the Table of Contents in the audio or Kindle copy (per usual, the physical book doesn't even deign to provide a TOC at all)m but the headers honestly didn't add much.
I liked the storyline, although much of seemed to fall into basic tropes (a young MC who somehow sees what others don't, just happening to overhear the 'bad guys' plans, surviving against all odds, instant friendships). The "something feeling off" and "trusting instincts" got a little repetitive for me.
I don't know if I really understood the "mystery" (the adults stealing money, stocks) but don't care enough to re-read to clarify. A few things in the end wrapped up a little too perfectly (under the circumstances).
I appreciated the Author's Notes at the end, clarifying some of the items, what had been fictionalized for the book, what was based on fact. While I always read the Author's Notes (and I get the Kindle/physical book to check, in case these haven't been included in the audio ... here they were, and narrated by the author herself, which makes it much more personal) I don't always read the Acknowledgements, but here I was glad they were included, and that I kept listening. The author's statement ... "life itself is a survival story. At some point, we must each face our icebergs. Some are more difficult than others, but the solution is always the same: Get on the lifeboat. That lifeboat is a friend or family member, or anyone you trust to keep you afloat. So if at any point you feel like you are sinking, don’t stop; don’t freeze. Just get on the lifeboat." well, that hit me as hard as anything in the book!
I also liked the exchange in Ch14 between Hazel and Mrs. Ableman, as Hazel wanted to research, but the library is on the deck for 1st/2nd class passengers ... and MrsA says "“That’s where the books are that you need, and books should be for everyone.”
Other words I note: snuck ... said in the dedication and several times (x7) throughout (I'm a "snuck" girl myself, but many prefer "sneaked" ... so I just tend to notice it). Carnegie was pronounced Car-NEG-ee (original pronunciation/name). A song "you take the high road" was mentioned and when MrsA sings it, it was sung (very haltingly, which fit the moment) in audio. The audio was accented, as Hazel was from England. The narrator did a great job.
1st person ... from the MC (12 year old girl) Hazel's POV. Past tense.
46 chronological chapters ... as mentioned, the iceberg doesn't hit until late, chapter 35. Chapter 1 ... perhaps that should have been a prologue? It was set "after" everything, very short, then Ch2 shifts to the start ... "Everything Seemed Perfect" Wednesday, April 10, 1912. The chapters had headers, which weren't included in the Table of Contents in the audio or Kindle copy (per usual, the physical book doesn't even deign to provide a TOC at all)m but the headers honestly didn't add much.
I liked the storyline, although much of seemed to fall into basic tropes (a young MC who somehow sees what others don't, just happening to overhear the 'bad guys' plans, surviving against all odds, instant friendships). The "something feeling off" and "trusting instincts" got a little repetitive for me.
I don't know if I really understood the "mystery" (the adults stealing money, stocks) but don't care enough to re-read to clarify. A few things in the end wrapped up a little too perfectly (under the circumstances).
I appreciated the Author's Notes at the end, clarifying some of the items, what had been fictionalized for the book, what was based on fact. While I always read the Author's Notes (and I get the Kindle/physical book to check, in case these haven't been included in the audio ... here they were, and narrated by the author herself, which makes it much more personal) I don't always read the Acknowledgements, but here I was glad they were included, and that I kept listening. The author's statement ... "life itself is a survival story. At some point, we must each face our icebergs. Some are more difficult than others, but the solution is always the same: Get on the lifeboat. That lifeboat is a friend or family member, or anyone you trust to keep you afloat. So if at any point you feel like you are sinking, don’t stop; don’t freeze. Just get on the lifeboat." well, that hit me as hard as anything in the book!
I also liked the exchange in Ch14 between Hazel and Mrs. Ableman, as Hazel wanted to research, but the library is on the deck for 1st/2nd class passengers ... and MrsA says "“That’s where the books are that you need, and books should be for everyone.”
Other words I note: snuck ... said in the dedication and several times (x7) throughout (I'm a "snuck" girl myself, but many prefer "sneaked" ... so I just tend to notice it). Carnegie was pronounced Car-NEG-ee (original pronunciation/name). A song "you take the high road" was mentioned and when MrsA sings it, it was sung (very haltingly, which fit the moment) in audio. The audio was accented, as Hazel was from England. The narrator did a great job.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyable book overall. Definitely for a reader who doesn't know much about the Titanic and the sinking.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
A little bit boring for me and the writing was just too simple, even for a middle grade book. It's probably good for older middle-grade readers who are not reading at grade level but looking for an interesting and not babyish story to read.
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced