HEROES OF THE SURF
Based on a true story
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
2012, Viking Books for Young Readers
Adventures on the high seas!
WHAM! The Pliny jolts as if Black Beard himself has just punched her in the belly. Pedro and I slide and smack - bang - into the bulwark.
"We're grounded," cries the first mate. "We've hit a shoal!"
In May of 1882, a large steamship ran aground off the coast of New Jersey. Elisa Carbone imagines what it was like for two boys on that ship: waking up in the middle of the night, waves crashing over the side, the storm too big to lower the lifeboats. And then the flashing of light from shore--the surfmen, true "heroes of the surf," come to rescue them. The award-winning author's meticulous research combined with Nancy Carpenter's spectacular illustrations make this thrilling adventure on the high seas one not to be missed!
Review excerpts:
"A storm, a shipwreck and possibly pirates! What more could you want from a historical seafaring adventure? . . . Young children may clutch your forearm as you read this one aloud, but isn’t it a nice change of pace — in this time of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Titanic” — to tell them a seaborne adventure featuring genuine heroes?"
- New York Times book review, May 16, 2012
"Riveting reading"
- Kirkus starred review
"Carbone ... writes an exciting first-person narrative here, with plenty of sensory details ... and a consistently boy-like perspective. Shaded with colors, lines, and crosshatching, Carpenter's drawings ... capture intense emotions in a series of beautifully composed, often dramatic scenes."
- Booklist, starred review, April 1, 2012
"... [a] spirited introduction to historical fiction."
- Horn Book, March 1, 2012
Awards and Honors:
Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth 2012 (Booklist)
Kirkus Best Books of 2012
ALA Notable Children's Books discussion list 2013
CCBC Choices 2013
South Dakota Prairie Bud Award Nominee 2014-15
Children's Crown Awards Nominee 2014-15
Capitol Choices Award discussion list 2012
Junior Library Guild Selection
* Starred review Kirkus
* Starred review Booklist