Iceberg
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tension, suspense build as intrepid tween faces disaster.
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What's the Story?
ICEBERG tells the story of 12-year-old Hazel as she sails away from home in England in hopes of finding a job in New York City. Hazel's father passed away two years ago, and her mom just hasn't been able to make ends meet as a single parent. Once aboard the ill-fated Titanic, Hazel learns there's a fire aboard ship, and that the captain has had a brush with recklessness on another ship in the past. Her curious mind can't stop raising, and asking, questions about the ship, how it was built, and what's keeping all the souls aboard safe. Each answer only raises more questions, though, and before Hazel gets satisfactory answers, disaster strikes.
Is It Any Good?
Veteran YA author Jennifer A. Nielsen delivers a tense, suspenseful telling of the doomed ship through the eyes of an intrepid and relatable tween. Readers will learn a lot about the Titanic and its disastrous maiden voyage, and they'll also learn a lot about life for citizens of both Great Britain and the United States. Narrator Hazel is easy to root for as she determines for find and tell the truth and struggles to be taken seriously by people in positions of power. Readers will also enjoy the colorful, if sometimes not well developed, friends Hazel makes along the way, especially the rich Sylvia, the porter Charlie, and mentor Mrs. Abelman.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about historical fiction like Iceberg. Is it OK for authors to change some events and people to tell a better story? Why, or why not?
Did you know much about the Titanic before you read this book? What did you learn? How can you find out more about it?
Is Hazel a good role model? What did you like, or not like, about her? How does she show curiosity, perseverance, empathy and courage?
Book Details
- Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity, Empathy, Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Publication date: March 7, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 4, 2023
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