Escaping Titanic: A Young Girl's True Story of Survival

by Marybeth Lorbiecki, Kory Heinzen (Illustrator)

Overview

Commemorate the Titanic's disastrous voyage with this harrowing tale of survival. Follow the true story of young Ruth Elizabeth Becker as her awe of the mighty Titanic turns into horror when she is separated from her mother and siblings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781404872356
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2012
Series:	NA
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 10 Years

Editorial Reviews

This is a gripping story told through the eyes of 12-year-old Titanic survivor Ruth Becker. The horror of that night is conveyed believably by both the prose and the shocking drama illustrating the ship going down in icy, dark waters. Ruth’s story was not revealed until years later as she could not speak about her ordeal. . . .Ruth is beautifully illuminated to stand out in the lifeboat as her story stands out in the crowd of Titanic 100th anniversary commemoratives. The chronology is cleverly printed on White Star Line stationery, and the afterword, with a photograph of young Ruth Becker, is very moving. . . .this biographical story is ideal as a read-aloud. Recommended.

Library Media Connection

Based on the true survival tale of 12-year-old Ruth Becker, this biographical narrative features technical background on the ship, an effective relaying of the terror, a conclusion lending a historical perspective, and dynamic illustrations.

Book Links

Gr 1–3—In this picture book, the events of the Titanic are seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Ruth Becker, a girl traveling with her mother and siblings on the ill-fated vessel. Through her, the excitement of those first days aboard is captured as she explores, encountering the other passengers and the majestic surroundings that were the hallmark of the ship. As the night of April 15th wears on, Ruth's confusion and fright turn into despair as she watches, from the safety of a lifeboat, the Titanic sink into the dark, cold Atlantic. The story format is a good introduction to the disaster for young readers and a jumping-off point for further investigation for those interested in more details. The text is solid, though without detailed source notes it is difficult to know what is fictionalized for the story's sake and what is based on the experiences of the real Ruth Becker. The digitally created pictures have the distinctive look of many computer-generated images, occasionally flat and static, but still providing an important visual accompaniment to the story. An author's note at the end offers more information about Becker and her life after surviving the disaster. This is an additional title for those looking to update collections for early elementary readers, where a narrative format can be helpful.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

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