Call of the Titanic
Lindsay Galvin
I really enjoyed this. It‘s a well thought-out book that recounts what happened to the Titanic from the angle of an adventure for a young girl on the smaller ship, The Carpathia.
The story is told through a split-narrative. Firstly, there is the testimony of a young third class cabin steward, Sid, written in dialogue as he recounts his experience to a government enquiry. Then there is the story of 12 year-old Clara, who inadvertently becomes a stowaway on board the Carpathian and who befriends a large black dog. Inevitably the three meet in the worst possible situation.
There really is something for everyone here: animals, adventure, fictionalised and authentic characters plus a detailed afterword that gives historical facts as well as information about morse code. The addition of menus and telegrams throughout, increase the poignancy of a story whose ending we know is all too tragic. Highly recommended for a class bookshelf.
Published by Chicken House (350 pages)
