Lifeboat 5

In 1940, as the Blitz hits London, children are sent to safety in Canada. Sophie Williams is aboard the SS City of Benares when it is struck by a German torpedo. She and a small group of survivors, including several other children and crew members, end up on Lifeboat 5. The narrative follows their grueling nineteen-day ordeal at sea, battling dehydration, exposure, and despair before a miraculous rescue. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with the realities of war and the deaths of many passengers, including children. The approach is historical and secular, focusing on human endurance. While the loss is significant, the resolution is hopeful as it focuses on those who survived. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with the anxiety of leaving home, spikes into a terrifying survival situation, and maintains a high level of tension and physical hardship before concluding with a deeply emotional relief upon rescue. IDEAL READER: A 10-year-old who loves survival stories like Hatchet but is ready for the added weight of historical truth and the emotional complexity of a collective tragedy. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child expressing fear about the world being an unsafe place or, conversely, a child who feels they have no agency in their own life. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the book mentions the deaths of many children who were on the ship; a preliminary discussion about the historical context of the Blitz may be helpful. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the survival mechanics and the 'adventure' of the lifeboat, while older readers (11-12) will better grasp the psychological toll of the loss and the historical gravity of the CORB program. DIFFERENTIATOR: This stands out due to its verse format, which uses white space and rhythm to mimic the movement of the ocean and the frantic, then sluggish, pace of survival.