3.5 

Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition)

By Michael J. Tougias & Alison O'Leary
Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition) by Michael J. Tougias & Alison O'Leary digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

A riveting adaptation for young readers of So Close to Home: A True Story of an American Family's Fight for Survival During World War II from Michael J. Tougias, the author of the New York Times bestseller The Finest Hours.

A Bank Street Best Book of the Year!

On May 19, 1942, during WWII, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans. The submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia. Most onboard were merchant seamen, but there were also civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, chaos ensued—and each family member had to find their own path to survival.

This inspiring historical narrative tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, blinding oil, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.

New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias adapts his histories of real life stories for young readers in his True Rescue Series, capturing the heroism and humanity of people on life-saving missions during maritime disasters.

More Thrilling True Rescue Books:
The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition)
A Storm Too Soon (Young Readers Edition)
Into the Blizzard (Young Readers Edition)
In Harm's Way (Young Readers Edition)
Rescue on the Bounty (Young Readers Edition)

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Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition) Reviews

3.5
“A ship attacked — each family member must find his of her own path to survival.... What an educational book! I learned a great deal more from Attacked at Sea than I would have expected. This book focuses on just one incident that was a result of Unternehmen Pauhenschlag, or Operation Drumbeat. This was a German operation during WWII that successfully sank approximately 170 ships off the eastern coast of North America and in the Caribbean — in just four months (another nugget from history that I learned about). The deadly attack described in this book is a result of this operation. Since the style of this book is more topical, the characters do lack development; this lack of development, however, is balanced by the wealth of information learned from the plot. Also the writing can feel a bit too simple at times (too much telling and hardly any showing) but isn't that big of a deal. I was glad for the opportunity to learn some obscure history and would encourage seekers of historical adventures to read Attacked at Sea.”

About Michael J. Tougias

MICHAEL J. TOUGIAS is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor of over thirty books for adults and middle readers. His books include Fatal Forecast, The Finest Hours, Overboard!, A Storm Too Soon, So Close to Home, The Waters Between Us, Extreme Survival, and The Power of Positive Fishing. He offers slide presentations and an inspiration program titled “Survival Lessons: Decision Making Under Pressure.”

Alison O'Leary

Alison O'Leary is an award-winning journalist based in New England. She is a former correspondent for the Boston Globe and the author of So Close to Home, Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition) and Inns and Adventures.

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