“A captivating tale of the triumph of the human spirit. 'Middle-grade Titanic fans, here’s your next read.' A richly detailed account of a little-known event in World War II.' 'Told in verse, the story of LIFEBOAT 12 is lyrical, terrifying, and even at times funny. Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery Honor winner 'Brilliantly told in verse, readers will love Ken Sparks.' * 'This stirring novel-in-verse based on a true story is an edge-of-your-seat survival tale, an extensively researched work of historical fiction, and an exemplar of the form.' 'This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most.” Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 is about believing in one another, knowing that only by banding together will we have any chance to survive. Will they get away? Will they survive?Īward-winning author Susan Hood brings this little-known World War II story to life in a riveting novel of courage, hope, and compassion. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand-nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum’s glare. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones-one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. In the tradition of The War That Saved My Life and Stella By Starlight, this poignant novel in verse based on true events tells the story of a boy’s harrowing experience on a lifeboat after surviving a torpedo attack during World War II. The 2020 Oklahoma Library Association’s Children’s Sequoyah Book Award Winner The 2020–2021 Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award List The 2019 Golden Kite Middle Grade Fiction Award Winner “An edge-of-your seat survival tale.” - School Library Journal (starred review) “Middle grade Titanic fans, here’s your next read.” - BCCB A richly detailed account of a little-known event in World War II.” - Kirkus Reviews “Lyrical, terrifying, and even at times funny. “Brilliantly told in verse, readers will love Ken Sparks.” -Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery Honor winner Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 is about believing in one another, knowing that only by banding together will we have any chance to survive.“This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most.”-Dashka Slater, author of The 57 Bus We see the story through the eyes of a survivor, 13yr old Ken Sparks. Among the passengers were children being sent from London to Canada to keep them safe from the bombings. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones-one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood is a kid's historical fiction novel about the sinking of the SS City of Benares by a German U-Boat.

“This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most.”-Dashka Slater, author of The 57 Bus

Ken sparks lifeboat 12