I Was There: On Board the Titanic (Paperback)

by Shelley Tanaka (Author), Ken Marschall (Illustrator) "Jack Thayer stared up from the pier at the gleaming black side of the Titanic..." (more)
Key Phrases: wireless room, wireless operator, New York, Harold Bride, Captain Smith (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5?This book covers the six days surrounding the sinking of the Titanic, as seen through the eyes of two survivors: 17-year-old Jack Thayer, a passenger, and Harold Bride, the 22-year-old assistant wireless operator. With fictionalized words and feelings attributed to these actual historical figures, the text has a slightly stilted feel to it. Facts and details about the ship are sometimes awkwardly inserted into Jack's experiences, especially during the first part of the book. But overall, the fictionalization works fairly well. Jack observes details that give immediacy to the disaster and the people involved. As the story progresses towards the catastrophe, it is hard not to get caught up in the tension. By the time of the actual shipwreck, readers know Jack pretty well, as well as a few other passengers, so the tragedy has a personal impact beyond the sheer numbers. Numerous full-color and black-and-white diagrams, historical photographs and drawings, and original paintings help bring the voyage to life. Technical flaws that contributed to the tragedy are woven neatly into the text and diagrams. Robert Ballard's Exploring the Titanic (Scholastic, 1988) is more fascinating, and Deborah Kent's The Titanic (Childrens, 1993) gives a drier, more straightforward account, while Daisy Spedden's Polar the Titanic Bear (Little, 1994) offers a more fanciful fictionalized version. Tanaka's book will serve as an attractive introduction to a popular topic.?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Gr. 5^-7. The doomed voyage of the Titanic holds a mysterious fascination for children and adults, whether the story is fact or fiction. In this solidly told tale, the maiden voyage of the "unsinkable" ship is re-created with stunning vividness. There are intimate glimpses of many of the passengers and crew, including 17-year-old Jack Thayer, who is sailing with his parents, and the much maligned Bruce Ismay, president of the company that owned the Titanic. The illustrations are splendid. Each painting is skillfully realized, capturing the breadth and opulence of the largest ship to grace the oceans at the time. Especially breathtaking are the scenes of the Titanic against midnight blue backdrops with otherworldly-looking icebergs that seem to glow with eerie menace. The tragic story of the ship that was supposed to be indestructible holds up well in this new telling and is enhanced by well-done diagrams and excellent photographs. Denia Hester --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786813180
• ISBN-13: 978-0786813186
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #760,032 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids , September 6, 2005

By	Kimberly "AmazonFan" (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

When my five-year old son became obsessed with the Titanic I was a bit worried, because of the morbidity of the subject mainly -we tend to forget that about 1500 people died in this historic incident. So I was very pleased to see that there are actually books on the subject written with children in mind - and this one is very good. It's written from the view points of two young men who were actually on the Titanic and survived - a young man from First Class named Jack Thayer, and Harold Bride, one of the ship's wireless operators and a true hero. Not too scary, full of fascinating details about the ship and an enjoyable read for grown-ups, too! Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars My first nothin'-but-Titanic book, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On Board the Titanic: I Was There: On Board the Titanic (Hardcover)

I recommend this book for children. I recieved this book through a book order in '97 when I was in grade 4. I'm headed for grade 6 for the '99-'00 schoolyear. If are a child whom loves' Titanic, I say this be your 1st book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids, November 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: On Board the Titanic: I Was There: On Board the Titanic (Hardcover)

This is a super book for kids looking for a Titanic book with not only a lot of pictures but a lot of info. With this book you could learn many things that you didn't know. Ken Marchall's work is extrodinary in the book. And the author gives a real veiw of what it must have been like to have riden the Titanic.