Lifeboat 12

Reach for this book when your child is facing a period of significant change or needs to understand that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the ability to keep going despite it. Based on the true story of the SS City of Benares, this verse novel follows Ken, a young boy evacuated from England during WWII. When his ship is torpedoed, he and a small group must survive for eight days in a lifeboat on the North Atlantic. It is a profound exploration of resilience, the power of hope, and the unexpected bonds formed in crisis. Written in accessible verse, it provides a gentle but honest entry point into historical tragedy, making it ideal for middle-grade readers who are beginning to grapple with the complexities of the world. Parents will appreciate how it balances the tension of survival with a deeply moving, hopeful resolution.