# data[].attributes.body
Publisher video

# data[].attributes.body
Publisher's book trailer.

# data[].attributes.body
Author speaking about the book.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

# data[].attributes.subject
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart | Book Talk

# data[].attributes.headline
Kacen Callender - King and the Dragonflies

# data[].attributes.subject
Kacen Callender - King and the Dragonflies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In a small but turbulent Louisiana town, one boy's grief takes him beyond the bayous of his backyard, to learn that there is no right way to be yourself.

Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. When Khalid unexpectedly passed away, he shed what was his first skin for another to live down by the bayou in their small Louisiana town. Khalid still visits in dreams, and King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.

It would be easier if King could talk with his best friend, Sandy Sanders. But just days before he died, Khalid told King to end their friendship, after overhearing a secret about Sandy-that he thinks he might be gay. "You don't want anyone to think you're gay too, do you?"

But when Sandy goes missing, sparking a town-wide search, and King finds his former best friend hiding in a tent in his backyard, he agrees to help Sandy escape from his abusive father, and the two begin an adventure as they build their own private paradise down by the bayou and among the dragonflies. As King's friendship with Sandy is reignited, he's forced to confront questions about himself and the reality of his brother's death.

The Thing About Jellyfish meets The Stars Beneath Our Feet in this story about loss, grief, and finding the courage to discover one's identity.

Lambda Literary Award Winner

Stonewall Book Award Winner

Caroline Murphy is a Hurricane Child.

Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelve-year-old Caroline has had her share of bad luck lately. She's hated and bullied by everyone in her small school on St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, a spirit only she can see won't stop following her, and--worst of all--Caroline's mother left home one day and never came back.

But when a new student named Kalinda arrives, Caroline's luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl from Barbados with a special smile for everyone, becomes Caroline's first and only friend--and the person for whom Caroline has begun to develop a crush.

Now, Caroline must find the strength to confront her feelings for Kalinda, brave the spirit stalking her through the islands, and face the reason her mother abandoned her. Together, Caroline and Kalinda must set out in a hurricane to find Caroline's missing mother--before Caroline loses her forever.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In a small but turbulent Louisiana town, one boy's grief takes him beyond the bayous of his backyard, to learn that there is no right way to be yourself. Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Author Fan Face-off #20: Nic Stone/CLEAN GETAWAY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Line Tender by Kate Allen | Book Talk

# data[].attributes.headline
Deborah Heiligman - Torpedoed: The True Story of theWorld War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" 

# data[].attributes.subject
Deborah Heiligman - Torpedoed: The True Story of theWorld War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
GodwinBooks/Henry Holt, October 8, 2019
Ages 10-14
9781627795548, $19.99 hardcover
Audiobook
Buy now:

Download the teacher's guide, aligned with the Common Core State Standards

In the fall of 2014, my editor, Laura Godwin, took out her phone and showed me a fuzzy photograph of a custom-made lifejacket. That photo started me on an incredible journey researching and writing about the World War II sinking of "The Children's Ship," the S.S. City of Benares. After five years, I can say it was an honor to work on it.

Although the story is in many ways a terrible tragedy, in which many innocents die, it is also a story of heroism, altruism, survival and community. It is an anti-war book and a book about how important it is to help others-refugees, victims of war, of tyrants. Although these events took place almost 50 years ago, it is, sadly, quite timely. I don't want to give too much away, but here's a bit about it:

September, 1940, England. German bombs were falling on England every night, killing adults-and children. The Blitzkrieg, or "Blitz" had just begun. Hitler was also threatening to invade by land, as he was doing throughout Europe. People with means had already begun sending their children away to live with relatives or friends to keep them safe. But what about people with less money? As Hitler's tanks rolled through Europe, the British government established a program so parents could apply to send their children away. By early September, 1940, thousands of children had already gone safely-to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America (under a separate program).

But the ship that set sail from Liverpool on Friday September 13th had a very different outcome. Four days later, after the Royal Navy Warship escorts had left, a German U-boat torpedoed the ship. There were one hundred children on board, most of them already asleep in their pajamas. A storm was raging, the air was cold, the water freezing, the winds howling, the waves high. The ship sank within half an hour.

This book shows the terrible tragedies, but focuses on the astonishing acts of heroism, courage, and survival. I hope you will love the real people in this true story as much as I do.

News & Nice Notices
2020 Winner of SCBWI's Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Older Readers
2020 ALA Notable Children's Book
2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award Finalist
Horn Book FanFare 2019
Kirkus Best Book of 2019
Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books for Older Readers 2019
2021 Texas Topaz Reading List

Reviews
"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman ( Charles and Emma, rev. 1/09; Vincent and Theo, rev. 3/17) here tells a riveting wartime story. As World War II brings intense bombing to England, some parents choose to send their children across the ocean, ostensibly to greater safety, but all ships crossing the Atlantic are at risk of attack by German submarines. On September 17, 1940, the unthinkable happens. The SS City of Benares-carrying two hundred passengers, half of them children-is torpedoed in the North Atlantic and begins to sink, leaving the pajama-clad passengers little time to scramble onto lifeboats in the dead of night. Heiligman navigates the chaos of those crucial minutes by skillfully juggling various points of view, heightening the narrative tension. As word of the disaster reaches the nearest ship, those in the water-in lifeboats, on rafts, clinging to debris-struggle to survive; many perish in the night from exposure to the cold temperature and stormy weather. Help eventually arrives, but in a gut-punch of a surprise twist, one lifeboat is left behind, extending the rescue drama by eight days and several more chapters. Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record, eschewing quotation marks, for example, for anything that's not a primary-source document. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations are incorporated throughout; the front and back matter include an author's note, a personnel list ("Shipmates"), a bibliography, source notes, and an index." -Horn Book, starred review

"Heiligman recounts the little-known World War II maritime disaster of the sinking of the passenger ship City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England to Canada.In 1940, with German air raids reducing many of England's major cities to smoldering ruins and a threatened invasion looming, thousands of British parents chose to send their children to safety in Canada through a program called the Children's Overseas Reception Board. On Sept. 13, 1940, the passenger liner departed Liverpool in a convoy bound for Canadian ports. Onboard were 90 CORB children, their chaperones, crew, and paying passengers. Their Royal Navy escort left it on Sept. 17, and that night, unaware of the refugee children aboard, the commander of German submarine U-48 ordered three torpedoes launched at the Benares, the third hitting its target with devastating effect. Heiligman makes the story especially compelling by recounting the backstories and experiences of several of the children and their chaperones. These characters are presumably white; Heiligman takes care to note that the overwhelming majority of the crew were South Asian Muslims whose stories were not collected after the disaster. It's a customarily masterfully paced and beautifully designed book, with reproductions of archival photographs and documents complemented by original pencil art by Lee that captures the action aboard the Benares and afterward. Expansive backmatter includes interviews conducted with Heiligman's sources, several by her. An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." -Kirkus, starred review

"This story of the SS City of Benares, a luxury ocean liner pressed into duty transporting English children to Canada during WWII, is in turns informative, intriguing, horrifying, and inspirational. Ample background information describes the London Blitz and its terrible toll on civilians, justifying why parents made the desperate decision to send their children overseas. Readers are introduced to the kids and their chaperones and share their first few idyllic days at sea, enjoying toys, games, and ample ice cream. Late one night, however, the Benares was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Several passengers died in the initial explosion; due to terrible weather, many lifeboats flipped while being lowered and dumped their occupants into the icy waters. Those who did make it into lifeboats faced hours of relentless freezing temperatures and huge waves, resulting in more deaths. Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath: only 13 children out of 90 survived, and overall the ship lost 258 of its total 406 passengers. The real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age. An epilogue, bibliography, and chapter notes make this ideal for reports; the powerful story from Printz Honor Book author Heiligman ( Vincent and Theo, 2017) will attract additional audiences." -Booklist, starred review

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair through the eyes of the passengers on the SS City of Benares, a ship commissioned to sail to Canada with 100 children on board during World War II. The SS City of Benares was torpedoed by a German submarine. The imagery of the waves hitting the lifeboats and rafts as the survivors hung on for life is so vivid that readers almost feel as if they, too, are fighting for their lives. Heiligman includes information about the lascars, or Indian sailors, many of whom gave their lives to save as many people as they could. The book is filled with photographs, illustrations, and letters written from the children to their families, as well as the telegraphs reporting the deaths of those on board. The extensive back matter, paired with the author's deft narrative touch, makes this title a must purchase for ¬libraries, a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event. VERDICT Expect this book to garner Heiligman another nonfiction award." -School Library Journal, starred review

"In this gripping account, Heiligman (Vincent and Theo) relates the September 1940 attack by a German submarine on the British passenger ship SS City of Benares, which killed 258 people, including 77 children. In unflinching detail, the book depicts the often fatal struggles of enduring a torpedo strike at sea, as well as the selfless acts of those striving to keep other passengers alive. Distinguished by expertly woven research, including the author's own interviews, the book focuses on the 90 Children's Overseas Reception Board children who were being sent, like others before them, to safety in Canada. The volume describes the families' tearful farewells and then the children's delight during the first days on "the floating palace." Frequent hints of the approaching disaster build momentum as the attack nears, and the tension increases dramatically as the narrative shifts to riveting individual stories of those awaiting rescue in lifeboats or on rafts. Accompanied by photographs and illustrations and including documentation of all who were on board, this is a harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event."- Publishers Weekly

"On September 17th, 1940, a German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger ship SS City of Benares, killing over two hundred people, including children that were being sent away to Canada by their loved ones through the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) to keep them away from the dangers of World War II. Heiligman tracks the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy with meticulous research and a narrative style that balances the tension and drama of a wartime tale with respect and compassion for the lives lost. The book focuses on the experience of the ship's children, both CORB and wealthier kids, lending a compelling immediacy with you-are-there details, like their utter delight at the variety of ice creams available on the "floating palace" to the rocking horse that's a favorite toy in the ship's playroom and is then seen floating away to sea when disaster strikes. Heiligman's use of primary sources and oral interviews makes for riveting accounts of terror, death, heroism, and sacrifice, and foreshadowings of either doom or rescue give the pace a breathless urgency. Photographs and illustrations add further atmosphere; perhaps the most haunting image is the one that opens the book, that of a tailor-made life vest, a gift from an overprotective mother that saved her son from death. There's no avoiding the terrible endings here, but it's nonetheless a fascinating look at the intersections of "fate, human, error, accident, and bad luck" that so often bring about tragedy. Readers who've been absorbed by fictional retellings such as Hood's Lifeboat 12 (BCCB 9/18) will appreciate the factual take here."- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"In Torpedoed, award-winning children's author Deborah Heiligman ( Vincent and Theo; Charles and Emma) explores a harrowing moment in history with clear, insightful prose. Using first-person sources, Heiligman follows the stories of real survivors as events unfold, making history both engaging and personal. In addition to historical documents, photographs and illustrations, Torpedoed also includes ample back matter, including a bibliography, endnotes, an "After the Voyage" section and a list of names of those lost at sea. With her dual focus on the tragedy and the bravery of its heroes, Heiligman maintains an impressive balance while illuminating human strength and resilience in extraordinary circumstances."- Shelf Awareness

Articles & Interviews
Read this guest blog post I wrote for the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, England.

Read Deborah Talks to Roger, where I chat with the Horn Book's Roger Sutton.

I visited with Kirby Larson on Friend Friday: read it here.

Andrew Speno takes a nice long look at the book on his blog, Retelling the Past for Today's Young Readers

Read The Caul, an object of sailor's superstitions from Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, England.

Read Gripping New Nonfiction from Deborah Heiligman: "Torpedoed", a School Library Journal interview.

Torpedoed: Historic Moment To be Remembered, a review of the book on Sandra Bornstein's blog.

"Fateful Voyage," a blog post on Reading Style Guide.
Fuse #8: Newbery/Caldecott 2020: Fall Prediction Edition
Watch a video of an interview I did with School Library Journal about my research for Torpedoed.

Here's a gallery of images about the research I did for the book. If you click on a thumbnail you'll be able to see a slideshow of all the images.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" GodwinBooks/Henry Holt, October 8, 2019 Ages 10-14 9781627795548, $19.99 hardcover Audiobook Buy now: Download the teacher's guide, aligned with the Common Core State Standards In the fall of 2014, my editor, Laura Godwin, took out her phone and showed me a fuzzy photograph of a custom-made lifejacket.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared -- Book Trailer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
George Takei  “They Called Us Enemy” - One morning in Los Angeles

# data[].attributes.headline
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

# data[].attributes.subject
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kacen Callender, 2020 YPL National Book Award Winner, reads from KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES

# data[].attributes.headline
I Can Make this Promise by Christine Day

# data[].attributes.subject
I Can Make this Promise by Christine Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Book Trailer I Can Make This Promise

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee | Book Talk

# data[].attributes.headline
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman

# data[].attributes.subject
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman

# data[].attributes.body
Publisher website - Scroll down to listen to author speaking.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
g

BUY THE BOOK

$19.99

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Holt Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9781627795548
304 Pages, Ages 10-14

From award-winning author Deborah Heiligman comes Torpedoed, a true account of the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England during WWII.

Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board.

When the war ships escorting the Benares departed, a German submarine torpedoed what became known as the Children's Ship. Out of tragedy, ordinary people became heroes. This is their story.

This title has Common Core connections.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

MACMILLAN NEWSLETTER

Sign up to receive information about new books, author events, and special offers.
Sign up now

CHAPTER 1

The Noise of War

SEPTEMBER 17, 1940, NIGHTTIME

IN THE MID-ATLANTIC Ocean, a German war submarine has an ocean liner in its sights. The U-boat commander and his crew have been following the ship all...

READ THE FULL EXCERPT →

MEDIA
Watch

Reviews

Praise for Torpedoed

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist
Golden Kite Award winner
Hornbook Fanfare selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

"An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
"Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." - Booklist, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event."- School Library Journal, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record." - Horn Book, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[A] harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event" - Publishers Weekly on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "T... More...

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist
Golden Kite Award winner
Hornbook Fanfare selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

"An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
"Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." - Booklist, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event."- School Library Journal, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record." - Horn Book, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[A] harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event" - Publishers Weekly on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[R]iveting accounts of terror, death, heroism, and sacrifice, and foreshadowings of either doom or rescue give the pace a breathless urgency . . . a fascinating look at the intersections of "fate, human, error, accident, and bad luck" that so often bring about tragedy." - The Bulletin on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman explores a harrowing moment in history with clear, insightful prose." - Shelf Awareness on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

- Less...

Reviews from Goodreads

Deborah Heiligman

Deborah Heiligman has written many books for children, including Printz Honor, YALSA Nonfiction Award Winner, and Boston Globe - Horn Book Award Winner Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers, National Book Award Finalist Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith,and The Boy Who Loved Math. She lives with her family in New York City.

Deborah Heiligman

Matt Peyton

Related Links

Macmillan Speakers ?

Deborah Heiligman

X

More info

OTHER GUIDES
Teacher's Guide

From the Publisher

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

g

$19.99

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Holt Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9781627795548
304 Pages, Ages 10-14

CHAPTER 1

The Noise of War

SEPTEMBER 17, 1940, NIGHTTIME

IN THE MID-ATLANTIC Ocean, a German war submarine has an ocean liner in its sights. The U-boat commander and his crew have been following the ship all...

READ THE FULL EXCERPT →

MEDIA
Watch

Reviews

Praise for Torpedoed

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist
Golden Kite Award winner
Hornbook Fanfare selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

"An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
"Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." - Booklist, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event."- School Library Journal, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record." - Horn Book, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[A] harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event" - Publishers Weekly on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "T... More...

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist
Golden Kite Award winner
Hornbook Fanfare selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

"An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
"Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." - Booklist, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event."- School Library Journal, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record." - Horn Book, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[A] harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event" - Publishers Weekly on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"[R]iveting accounts of terror, death, heroism, and sacrifice, and foreshadowings of either doom or rescue give the pace a breathless urgency . . . a fascinating look at the intersections of "fate, human, error, accident, and bad luck" that so often bring about tragedy." - The Bulletin on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

"Heiligman explores a harrowing moment in history with clear, insightful prose." - Shelf Awareness on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

- Less...

Reviews from Goodreads

Deborah Heiligman

Deborah Heiligman has written many books for children, including Printz Honor, YALSA Nonfiction Award Winner, and Boston Globe - Horn Book Award Winner Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers, National Book Award Finalist Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith,and The Boy Who Loved Math. She lives with her family in New York City.

Deborah Heiligman

Matt Peyton

Related Links

Macmillan Speakers ?

Deborah Heiligman

X

Macmillan Speakers Bureau

Represents thought-provoking authors and experts. We can find a speaker uniquely positioned for your audience and budget.

More info

OTHER GUIDES
Teacher's Guide

From the Publisher

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Torpedoed | Deborah Heiligman | Macmillan

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
g $19.99 Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Holt Books for Young Readers ISBN: 9781627795548 304 Pages, Ages 10-14 From award-winning author Deborah Heiligman comes Torpedoed, a true account of the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England during WWII.

# data[].attributes.headline
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

# data[].attributes.subject
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Book Trailer From The Desk of Zoe Washington

# data[].attributes.headline
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime:Stories from a South African childhood by Trevor Noah

# data[].attributes.subject
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime:Stories from a South African childhood by Trevor Noah

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"Daily Show" host Trevor Noah on adapting his memoir for young readers

# data[].attributes.body
Author reading the beginning of the book.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab | Official Book Trailer

# data[].attributes.headline
To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & MegWolitzer

# data[].attributes.subject
To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & MegWolitzer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
TO NIGHT OWL FROM DOGFISH | OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (Audiobook Excerpt)

# data[].attributes.headline
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

# data[].attributes.subject
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Chapter One one
Nobody could tell me that today wasn't gon' be my day. Even though I couldn't determine the correct term of equality in math, shanked the nearly airless volleyball in PE, and truly didn't care to discuss the effects of the Civil War in social studies, I was unshook, 'cause today my girls finally agreed to hang out with me-at my house!

And with Regina to my right cracking jokes, Fatima and Tasha and Angela to my left laughing insanely loud, shoot, every eye is on us. Boys jockin' us-well, actually jockin' them. Regardless, they're grinning like we're all a bag of M&M's. I'm so amped that I actually yell this to the guys. And don't you know-Regina uses my line as a jump off, cracking, "And y'all ain't 'bout to taste none of us either!" We all slap hands and keep it moving.

Regina's going on about her plans for us to watch music videos, 'cause Tasha's crushing on some new hot singer. And in my mind, we're all sitting on the couch debating which rapper is the finest. Then, we'll drink Sprite and eat the chips that Mama went out to buy especially for us.

But as soon as we round the corner of my block, my heart skips like a scratched CD. Not again. Please, not again. But yes, again. All our furniture sits in the front yard-but this time it's laid out exactly like it had been inside the house, as if the movers are playing a cruel joke. Our glass living room table sits in front of the couch with a cocktail table on each side. The kitchen chairs are properly placed with the dining table. Even our beds are still made with the blankets and pillows.

"This your house?" Regina says, flicking her long braids.

"Uh, no." Dad. Didn't he know today was epic for me? "I live over there," I say, pointing to a house where the metal bars on the security door swirl in an elegant design.

"She lying," Fatima butts in. "I saw her go in this one the other day." "This one" is a small brick house with peeling green trim, chipped up cement steps, and straight metal bars on the door and windows like a prison.

Now I understand what Grandma means when she says, "There's always one." Regina snorts, "Hey, y'all, Genesis gotta pee outside!" Then she throws back her head and bursts out laughing. The other three start laughing too. A bunch of copycats.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. They're whispering and pointing, and my family's STUFF IS SITTING IN THE YARD! "You know what?" I finally come up with. "I forgot, my mama said we were getting new furniture."

Angela raises an eyebrow. High. "Not with that big ol' metal thing covering the doorknob, you ain't."

They all swivel their heads at the same time and mutter, "Danggggg."

"Nobody's getting through that door besides the landlord," Angela jabs.

Regina turns to me, smirking. "Just admit your folks are bums."

I search their faces, hoping at least one of them will stick up for me. But no one, not even Tasha-whose mama's car was repossessed in the middle of the night just the other week!-says a peep. Yes, I know a repossessed car ain't as serious as finding your stuff spread out in the yard for everybody to see, but still. "No, uhm..." I'm out of lies. Dad. Dad. Dad. "It's just that-"

"It's just that it is what it is, ain't that right, y'all?" They all "yep" as Regina now roams around the couch and tables, stalking. "Furniture so busted even the Goodwill don't want it."

The copycats "hee-hee-hee" again. This time I force myself to laugh right along with them. "I know, right!" I agree, trailing her.

"I knew you were poor, but dang..." Regina struts past our kitchen set, pokes at a wobbly chair. "This is pitiful, Char."

I try hard to not visibly wince. Char. Short for Charcoal. Since I started at this school, I've laughed at their jokes and sucked it all up to make friends. And I'd made progress; just this last week they stopped calling me Eggplant. And then they'd agreed to come over....

Regina beelines toward a cluster of furniture that had clearly been in my bedroom. "Y'all wanna see some of Char's hand-me-downs?"

"Don't!" I slip in front of my dresser, stretching my arms across it protectively.

Regina shoves at me, but I'm not budging. "Move it, CharCOAL!"

And now I'm mad. And when I get mad, my mouth shoots off before it can connect to my brain. And now my mouth's dishing out a response faster than I can stop it, because how could she? How dare she?!

"You know what?" I shoot back. "Forget you! You're not all that with yo' ratchet Black Barbie wannabe self."

Silence.

Dead silence.

Now I've done it. Good-bye, Regina. Good-bye, Tasha, Fatima, and Angela. Good-bye, any chance at- stop it! I tell myself. Maybe she won't take too much offense to my clap-back.

No chance. Regina stands rigid, her hands ball into fists. Her posse rallies closer. "What did you say?" she says, her voice low, dangerous. All four of them edge toward me. Slow. Steady. "Say it again."

No way am I saying it again.

Regina narrows her eyes. One fist starts coming up. And then, oh merciful Lord, a screen door slams. My neighbor. My neighbor who's never said two words to me since we moved in now stands, wide-legged, on her porch. She sizes up the furniture, me, Regina, and the girls. Regina glowers back, maybe waiting for her to leave so they can pummel the living daylights out of me. My neighbor doesn't leave. She stares us down.

Finally, Regina raises her chin. "Don't let me catch you around, Eggplant. Come on, y'all," and in unison the other three turn and march out of my yard. Down the sidewalk.

Bang! The screen door closes as my neighbor goes back into her house.

And now I'm left with, well, with this! I fall on my bed-which is OUTSIDE-and pray I don't ever have to see Regina and 'em again. Then I curse Dad for not paying the rent. Again. I curse him for making me wait out here while passing spectators stare stupidly, like maybe I don't realize furniture is supposed to be inside a house.

Then I curse myself. For believing someone like Regina would even be friends with me.

But I'm not gon' cry. I'm not. Especially 'cause even though our neighbor might be back inside, she's watching from her window. It's getting chilly now, so I reach over and dig in my drawer for a sweatshirt. But my hand first finds a sheet of paper-The List. I pull it out.

The List. Even though the paper's wrinkled and worn, I review and add to it all the time. Back in fifth grade, Chyna and Porsche slid a note onto my desk. Gullible me thought it was an invitation. And then I read the title: 100 REASONS WHY WE HATE GENESIS.

Stupid girls. Couldn't even count. They only listed sixty reasons; and they were stretching it, too, because some were really dumb, like #1: She smiles too much, or #39: She thinks she got pretty writing, and even #46: She bumped into me and acted like she didn't know it.

Shoot, they should've just asked me for the rest. Because I've already added twenty-four others, like #73: Because she's always getting put out of her house. Or, what I'll add now, #85: Because her friends dump her when they see her stuff on the curb like a Salvation Army pickup.

After reading over the entire list, my fingers refuse to fold the paper back up. Thoughts of how badly I wanted to strut down the halls with Regina and her girls keep needling me. Of course I'd never actually be one of them, but just being with them was good enough, you know? When I'm with them, someone else is on the sidelines admiring me, no clue I'm fronting like my life's all that. But now I picture Regina's face from fifteen minutes ago and how I laughed at myself to prove I could take a joke, because yes, I really could. Except none of that was a joke. So, I guess I proved I'm great at frontin'. Now, my fingers tremble as I add #86:

Because she let them call her Charcoal, Eggplant, and Blackie.

I bury the note back in my dresser and pull out that sweatshirt. Then I patrol around the yard like a security guard. On my third round, a cab pulls up. Mama jumps out wearing pink scrubs, and the cab speeds off. "You all right?" she calls, immediately wading through the "rooms," inspecting each item.

"I'm cold, and I gotta go," I say, nodding at that big device covering the doorknob.

"Anybody bother our stuff?" Mama rummages through her dresser drawer.

"Not since I've been here. Why we get put out again?"

"Not now, Genesis." Mama removes some papers from the drawer and shoves them into her purse, picks up her jewelry box and tucks it under her arm. "Well, this is a first." Mama's surveying the yard, turning in a complete circle. "I don't think we've ever been put out so neatly before."

After what seems like forever, but actually is only five minutes later, a silver Cadillac parks in front of the house. Mama checks her watch and says, "Right on time, thank God."

An old man climbs out. "Mrs. Anderson..."

"Mr. Myers, thank you so much for meeting me." Mama blinks her big brown eyes.

"Ordinarily, I wouldn't because it's your husband's name that's on the lease, and-" His eyes meet Mama's and just like that, his clenched jaw softens. "I hate to do this, Mrs. Anderson, I really do, but you all haven't paid in months."

"I know, cutbacks at the plant. My husband lost half his hours, half his paycheck." Mama gives that same reason every time, but never confesses where the other half of Dad's paycheck goes. "We're awfully sorry."

We follow him to the porch and up the cracked steps. Mr. Myers gives Mama a gentle smile as he unbolts the metal lockout device. "I'll do this favor... only for you."

"I'm truly grateful," says Mama, stepping inside. "I really am."

I race to the bathroom and my bladder's grateful that the movers left behind the tissue. When I come out, Mama's searching the kitchen cabinets. She turns to me, instructing, "Genesis, do a final sweep of your room, just to make sure the movers got everything. Okay?"

In my room, a mirror hangs on the other side of the closet door. No matter how many times I shut it, that door cracks back open. Now, as I check inside to make sure nothing's been left behind, the mirror faces me. It hates me too.

We stand in a stare-off like Celie did in The Color Purple, this old movie that Mama watches every dang time it comes on TV. In the movie, gorgeous Shug Avery makes Celie face herself in the mirror to convince her she's beautiful, even though Shug called Celie ugly in the first place. "You sho' is ugly." That's exactly how Shug said it too. And here I am, facing myself like Celie. "Well?" I say. "Get on with it."

Look at you, with that wide nose, my reflection says.

I pinch my nostrils down.
And those big lips.
I smash my lips tight.
And that nappy head.
I finger the tangles loose.
Don't get me started on how black you are.
I want to say something, but what? That I think I'm cute? 'Cause I'm not. That I have good hair? 'Cause I don't. That I'm not dark? 'Cause I am.

Who you think's gonna love you with the way you look? Cackling echoes through the mirror so loud it could shatter.

"I can't stand you," I say to my reflection.

I slam the door, trapping the voices inside.

When we're done, Mr. Myers ushers us back outside, then covers the door handle with the lockout device. Mama holds a box full of spices and canned foods that she found in the kitchen. My search came up empty. She apologizes again for the inconvenience, and for not paying the rent. Mr. Myers kindly shakes his head. He feels bad for us, I can tell. He doesn't have steely eyes like the last three landlords. They looked at us like we were dirt, even though they're probably only mad about being cheated out of their money. Which is fair, I guess. But Mr. Myers's eyes are sad, even as he drives away from the curb. I wave good-bye, but he doesn't see it.

Mama finds the trash bags and hands me one. "Get your clothes out of the drawers and put 'em in these." She does the same. When we're done, we both sink onto the couch and wait for Dad. I shiver and Mama takes the couch's throw blanket and wraps it around my shoulders. She checks her watch again.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"Almost five." Mama rubs the chill from her legs. Her scrubs are no match for the cold. I take the throw from my shoulders and cover us both. She digs her cell phone from her purse and checks it. More cars drive past, folks looking at us like we're crazy.

"Mama...," I say hesitantly. She looks at me, confused, so I add, "Did you forget? Today my friends were coming over."

Mama slaps her forehead. "Oh, Genesis, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." She asks what happened, and I tell her everything besides the confrontation part. She apologizes again and promises to make it up to me when things get back to normal. Things are never "normal," but I make a mental note to remind her, if they ever are.

For another half hour we sit on the couch, cuddled up. Mama calls Dad twice, and each time he says he's on his way. She's about to hit his number for a third time when he drives up, followed by a U-Haul truck.

Before Dad can step a foot on the curb, Mama's already up, fussing. "What took you so long? You know how cold it is? Guess you want us to catch the death of pneumonia, huh?"

"Calm down! I told you I had to pick up Dwight and Mike." Dwight and Mike stand next to the U-Haul and nod when Dad says their names. "Then we had to go back 'cross town to get the truck."

"From the looks of your red eyes, you been doing more than that," Mama says, all sly. Then she points a finger at him saying, "You told me the rent was taken care of, then you have me leave my job to cover your mess-YOURS."

Dad opens and closes his mouth. I wait a few seconds for his reaction, and when he doesn't go off, then I get up too.

"Hey, you did say this wasn't gon' happen again," I echo, wrapping the throw around me, and standing next to Mama. Just to think, Dad was off somewhere drinking while Regina and her crew were tryna' drag me. So I add, "And we were called bums, and I almost got into a fight."

Mama turns to me. "A fight?"

"Almost," I cover. Now I'm mad all over again. "How would you like to be called a bum?"

For a second time, Dad seems at a loss for words. But he recovers and finally says, "But you okay, right?"

I nod, but Mama... if her eyes were lasers, she'd surely roast Dad with the look she's giving him.

"What?" he says, acting clueless. "She said she was okay."

"Your child is out here about to fight over this mess? Is this what you want for Genesis?"

"I hope not," I mumble under my breath.

"Come on, Gen. Let's get you warm." Mama holds out a hand. "Give me the keys, so I can start the car."

"So, you mad? You lookin' at me like this is all my fault!" Dad's left eye squints, like a tick. Here it comes. This is when the alcohol usually starts talking. Mama doesn't respond, and I take two steps back. But Dad, he just reaches into his pocket, pulls out the keychain, and drops it into Mama's hand. Then he jogs over to Dwight and Mike, gestures to the yard, and they get to work loading the truck.

Whaaa? Whew, Dad's response was... chill. Then I think, Dang, the night ain't over.

We say good-bye to Euclid Avenue, and hello to-where are we going now? I buckle my seat belt, my hands a little shaky. Here's the thing. The first time we got put out we stayed at a motel, and all night long we heard arguing, cussing, and police sirens. No biggie. The second time, well, we went to Grandma's, but Mama said she never ever wants to do that again. And the third time we got evicted-five months ago-we stayed in Dad's friend's basement. That's when Dad... drunk Dad... went off on me. I mean like, really, really went off. His words still ring in my head.
You were supposed to come out lookin' like her... look at you with yo' black-
I plug my fingertips into my ears to block out his voice. But his slurry words are still there. At first I was more scared than hurt. Like, you know how you can't see dust drifting in the air, but you see the filthiness after it's settled? That's something like how Dad's words were for me. And you know what? I started studying myself in the mirror and, yeah, he's right.

The radio is on, and it's now safe to remove my fingers. My coal-black fingers. I remembered overhearing Mama once telling her friend that milk baths were good for the skin, and she'd shown off her arms proudly. That's why Mama's skin is so light, I'd thought. I know, I know, of course that's not why. But it didn't stop me from sneaking a gallon of milk from the fridge and pouring it in the tub. I rolled back and forth, trying to get that little bit of milk all over my body. But after the second time, Mama griped: "Who's drinking up all the milk? Ain't nobody that thirsty!" That ended that-and I was no closer to looking like Mama.

Part of me believes that Dad might not have said those things if it wasn't for us being stuck staying in a basement. So I know I'm being selfish, but I'd be happier if we stayed at Grandma's-even if her snaps are sharper than an alligator's.

"Ma?" I hesitate. "Uhm... where we staying?" I grip the seat cushion, bracing for an answer. Please not in that basement. Please not in that basement.

Dad glances at me through the rearview mirror. "Your grandmother's."

"Really?" I breathe out, "Yesssss."

"Shouldn't we talk about this first?" says Mama, the hard look back on her face. "You know how I feel about going there-"

"I know," Dad interrupts, "but-"

"And where exactly will you be?" Mama interrupts back.

"At Dwight's. Somebody has to keep an eye on our stuff." Dad anxiously drums his thumbs on the steering wheel as he explains that our furniture will stay in the U-Haul until he finds us a new place.

Why would he want to stay with Dwight? Besides the fact that Grandma has made it clear that a man who can't provide a roof for her daughter can't sleep under hers. But still, Dwight only keeps mayonnaise and ketchup in his refrigerator and has three German shepherds that bark all night long. Dad would be better off at a motel.

After a few seconds, he mutters, "And I'm gon' need to borrow some money, too."

"Really, Emory?" Mama shifts away from him, glaring out the window.

Yep, that's why he's staying with those three barking dogs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams - "Reminiscent of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye." -The New York Times "One of the best books I have ever read...wil...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wherever the sharks led, Lucy Everhart's marine-biologist mother was sure to follow. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, collecting shark data, when she died suddenly. Lucy was seven. Since then Lucy and her father have done okay--thanks in large part to her best friend, Fred, and a few close friends and neighbors. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave to Rockport. On one steamy day, the tide brings a great white--and then another tragedy, cutting short a friendship everyone insists was "meaningful", but no one can tell Lucy what it all meant.

To survive the fresh wave of grief, Lucy must grab the line that connects her depressed father, a stubborn fisherman, and a curious old widower to her mother's unfinished research. If Lucy can find a way to help this unlikely quartet follow the sharks her mother loved, she'll finally be able to look beyond what she's lost and toward what's left to be discovered.

Funny, poignant, and deeply moving, The Line Tender is a story of nature's enduring mystery and the people willing to seek meaning and connection within it.

Find The Line Tender at an independent bookstore near you!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Heartbreaking but also filled with wit and hope, The Line Tender is the story of Lucy, the daughter of a marine biologist and a rescue diver, and the summer that changes her life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Orange for the Sunsets

From debut author Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, as two best friends living under Ugandan President Amin's divisive rule must examine where-and who-they call home. Perfect for fans of Half from the East and Inside Out and Back Again.
Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall.

But when Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see-not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game.

Determined for her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise of a better future. Now as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two friends find that nothing seems sure-not even their friendship.

Tensions between Indians and Africans intensify and the deadline to leave is fast approaching. Could the bravest thing of all be to let each other go?

A 2019 Junior Library Guild Selection!
2020 Winner of Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young Readers

Tina Athaide has tapped deep wells of friendship and family in this story set against the chaotic ferment of Uganda in 1972. Hostage to uncontrollable forces of dictatorship and political turmoil, Asha and Yesofu are heroes for our own century, eloquent voices in the face of racism and nativism.
Uma Krishnaswami, author of Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh and other books for young readers

[T]his novel is timely, addressing the human complexity of literal borders and figurative walls and lives that are irrevocably and heartbreakingly changed in crises.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A heartbreaking and resonant tale.
Horn Book

Athaide, who was born in Uganda and lived there until her family left just before the expulsion, excellently captures how Amin's plan affected individuals in complex and heart-wrenching ways. A moving story about the power and limits of friendship.
ALA Booklist

Set during one of the most turbulent times in Uganda's history, Tina Athaide's debut novel deftly navigates the transcending bonds of friendship against the upheaval, shifting alliances, and brutality of Idi Amin's reign. Fascinating and beautiful, Orange for the Sunsets is hard to put down and hard to forget.
Kashmira Sheth, author of Boys Without Names

This compassionate novel conveys the multiple injustices and tragedies experienced by both African and Indian Ugandans during this period, and the power of friendship to sustain hope in tumultuous times.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Athaide's debut competently tackles the tough topics of colonialism and refugee crises... questions that are still relevant in today's world. A timely addition to middle grade shelves in need of non-Western historical fiction... a strong companion to Veera Hiranandani's The Night Diary and A.L. Sonnichsen's Red Butterfly.
School Library Journal

Orange for the Sunsets remains an illuminating and accessible read that questions truth, power, allegiance, and, above all, friendship in the face of populism and nativism.
The Quill and Quire

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From debut author Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, as two best friends living under Ugandan President Amin's divisive rule must examine where-and who-they call home. Perfect for fans of Half from the East and Inside Out and Back Again.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"Orange for the Sunsets" written by Tina Athaide Book Trailer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Be Prepared, Out Now!

All Vera wants to do is fit in-but that's not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera's single mother can't afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range-Russian summer camp.

Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell, and Victoria Jamieson, Be Prepared is a funny and relatable middle-grade graphic novel about navigating your own culture, struggling to belong, and the value of true friendship.
Order on Indiebound Order on Amazon

Flight

I have short stories published in the 1st, 2nd and 4th volumes of the award-winning Flight anthology.
Available on Amazon.com

What, Were You Raised By Wolves?

A 34-page minicomic I made for a some conventions in 2011, about a girl raised by wolves. Not a very happy story. Click to read the whole thing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All Vera wants to do is fit in-but that's not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera's single mother can't afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range-Russian summer camp.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For seventh grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop during a surprise birthday celebration.

The next day, it's another hug. A smirk. Comments. It all feels...weird. According to her friend Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn't she know what flirting looks like?

But it keeps happening, despite Mila's protests. On the bus, in the halls. Even during band practice-the one time Mila can always escape to her happy "blue-sky" feeling. It seems like the boys are EVERYWHERE. And their behavior doesn't feel like flirting-so what is it?

Mila starts to gain confidence when she enrolls in karate class. But her friends still don't understand why Mila is making such a big deal about the boys' attention. When Mila is finally pushed too far, she realizes she can't battle this on her own, and she finds help in some unexpected places.

From the author of EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT YOU, HALFWAY NORMAL and STAR-CROSSED comes this timely story of a middle school girl standing up and finding her voice.

A 2020-2021 Project Lit selection

ALA Notable Children's Books 2020 (Middle Grade-Older Readers).

ALA 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List (Middle Grade-Fiction).

One of the Washington Post's Best Children's Books of 2019.

One of the 2020 Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year.

CBC 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.

Nominee for 2021 Rhode Island Middle School Book Award

Nominee for the 2020-2021 Maine Student Book Award

On the Wisconsin State Reading Association's 2020 "Just One More Page" Recommendation List

Nominee for the Maryland Association of School Librarians 2020-2021 Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Grades 6-9

Nominee for the 2020-2021 Vermont Middle-Grade Children's Book Award

A 2019 Cybils finalist (Middle Grade Fiction).

On the 2019 Middle Grade Fiction Nerdies list.

A Mighty Girl's 2019 Books of the Year.

One of Betsy Bird's Best MG Novels of 2019.

One of Pernelle Ripp's Best Books of 2019.

A Denver Public Library Best & Brightest Chapter Books of 2019.

Listen to SLJ's The Yarn podcast naming MAYBE HE JUST LIKE YOU Colby Sharp's favorite MG novel of 2019 (starting at 10:22).

Read my post on SLJ's Teen Librarian Toolbox blog.

Read "15 Empowering Middle Grade Novels for Kids Interested in Social Justice" and "5 Poignant New Middle Grade Novels That Tackle Bullying" on BNKIDSblog.

Check out the Reading Group Guide for MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU.

NCTE 2019

Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, Hardcover
ISBN 978-1-5344-3237-6
Ages 9-13

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Maybe He Just Likes You by Middle Grade Author Barbara Dee

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For seventh grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop during a surprise birthday celebration. The next day, it's another hug. A smirk. Comments. It all feels...weird. According to her friend Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn't she know what flirting looks like?

# data[].attributes.headline
Dan Gemeinhart - The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

# data[].attributes.subject
Dan Gemeinhart - The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Henry Holt, 2019)
For five years Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus, criss-crossing the nation. It's also how long ago Coyote lost her mom and two sisters in a car crash.
Coyote hasn't been home in all that time, but when she learns that the park in her old neighborhood is being demolished―a park where she, her mom, and her sisters buried a treasured memory box―she devises an elaborate plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington state in four days...without him realizing it. Along the way, they'll pick up a strange crew of misfit travelers. Lester has a lady love to meet. Salvador and his mom are looking to start over. Val needs a safe place to be herself. Over the course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just might be able to turn her "once upon a time" into a "happily ever after."
A 2020 ILA Teachers' Choice, 2019 Parents' Choice Award Gold Medal Winner, Winner of the 2019 CYBILS Award for Middle Grade Fiction, and an Amazon Top 20 Children's Book of 2019.
"Your heart needs this joyful miracle of a book." -Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan
Check it out from your library, or buy it here: INDIEBOUND BARNES & NOBLE AMAZON
(also available as an ebook or audiobook)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (Henry Holt, 2019) For five years Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus, criss-crossing the nation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Author Stories Podcast Episode 717 | Rex Ogle Interview

# data[].attributes.headline
Deborah Heiligman - Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship

# data[].attributes.subject
Deborah Heiligman - Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"
GodwinBooks/Henry Holt, October 8, 2019
Ages 10-14
9781627795548, $19.99 hardcover
Audiobook
Buy now:

Download the teacher's guide, aligned with the Common Core State Standards

In the fall of 2014, my editor, Laura Godwin, took out her phone and showed me a fuzzy photograph of a custom-made lifejacket. That photo started me on an incredible journey researching and writing about the World War II sinking of "The Children's Ship," the S.S. City of Benares. After five years, I can say it was an honor to work on it.

Although the story is in many ways a terrible tragedy, in which many innocents die, it is also a story of heroism, altruism, survival and community. It is an anti-war book and a book about how important it is to help others-refugees, victims of war, of tyrants. Although these events took place almost 50 years ago, it is, sadly, quite timely. I don't want to give too much away, but here's a bit about it:

September, 1940, England. German bombs were falling on England every night, killing adults-and children. The Blitzkrieg, or "Blitz" had just begun. Hitler was also threatening to invade by land, as he was doing throughout Europe. People with means had already begun sending their children away to live with relatives or friends to keep them safe. But what about people with less money? As Hitler's tanks rolled through Europe, the British government established a program so parents could apply to send their children away. By early September, 1940, thousands of children had already gone safely-to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America (under a separate program).

But the ship that set sail from Liverpool on Friday September 13th had a very different outcome. Four days later, after the Royal Navy Warship escorts had left, a German U-boat torpedoed the ship. There were one hundred children on board, most of them already asleep in their pajamas. A storm was raging, the air was cold, the water freezing, the winds howling, the waves high. The ship sank within half an hour.

This book shows the terrible tragedies, but focuses on the astonishing acts of heroism, courage, and survival. I hope you will love the real people in this true story as much as I do.

News & Nice Notices
2020 Winner of SCBWI's Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Older Readers
2020 ALA Notable Children's Book
2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award Finalist
Horn Book FanFare 2019
Kirkus Best Book of 2019
Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books for Older Readers 2019
2021 Texas Topaz Reading List

Reviews
"Nonfiction maestro Heiligman ( Charles and Emma, rev. 1/09; Vincent and Theo, rev. 3/17) here tells a riveting wartime story. As World War II brings intense bombing to England, some parents choose to send their children across the ocean, ostensibly to greater safety, but all ships crossing the Atlantic are at risk of attack by German submarines. On September 17, 1940, the unthinkable happens. The SS City of Benares-carrying two hundred passengers, half of them children-is torpedoed in the North Atlantic and begins to sink, leaving the pajama-clad passengers little time to scramble onto lifeboats in the dead of night. Heiligman navigates the chaos of those crucial minutes by skillfully juggling various points of view, heightening the narrative tension. As word of the disaster reaches the nearest ship, those in the water-in lifeboats, on rafts, clinging to debris-struggle to survive; many perish in the night from exposure to the cold temperature and stormy weather. Help eventually arrives, but in a gut-punch of a surprise twist, one lifeboat is left behind, extending the rescue drama by eight days and several more chapters. Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record, eschewing quotation marks, for example, for anything that's not a primary-source document. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations are incorporated throughout; the front and back matter include an author's note, a personnel list ("Shipmates"), a bibliography, source notes, and an index." -Horn Book, starred review

"Heiligman recounts the little-known World War II maritime disaster of the sinking of the passenger ship City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England to Canada.In 1940, with German air raids reducing many of England's major cities to smoldering ruins and a threatened invasion looming, thousands of British parents chose to send their children to safety in Canada through a program called the Children's Overseas Reception Board. On Sept. 13, 1940, the passenger liner departed Liverpool in a convoy bound for Canadian ports. Onboard were 90 CORB children, their chaperones, crew, and paying passengers. Their Royal Navy escort left it on Sept. 17, and that night, unaware of the refugee children aboard, the commander of German submarine U-48 ordered three torpedoes launched at the Benares, the third hitting its target with devastating effect. Heiligman makes the story especially compelling by recounting the backstories and experiences of several of the children and their chaperones. These characters are presumably white; Heiligman takes care to note that the overwhelming majority of the crew were South Asian Muslims whose stories were not collected after the disaster. It's a customarily masterfully paced and beautifully designed book, with reproductions of archival photographs and documents complemented by original pencil art by Lee that captures the action aboard the Benares and afterward. Expansive backmatter includes interviews conducted with Heiligman's sources, several by her. An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." -Kirkus, starred review

"This story of the SS City of Benares, a luxury ocean liner pressed into duty transporting English children to Canada during WWII, is in turns informative, intriguing, horrifying, and inspirational. Ample background information describes the London Blitz and its terrible toll on civilians, justifying why parents made the desperate decision to send their children overseas. Readers are introduced to the kids and their chaperones and share their first few idyllic days at sea, enjoying toys, games, and ample ice cream. Late one night, however, the Benares was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Several passengers died in the initial explosion; due to terrible weather, many lifeboats flipped while being lowered and dumped their occupants into the icy waters. Those who did make it into lifeboats faced hours of relentless freezing temperatures and huge waves, resulting in more deaths. Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath: only 13 children out of 90 survived, and overall the ship lost 258 of its total 406 passengers. The real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age. An epilogue, bibliography, and chapter notes make this ideal for reports; the powerful story from Printz Honor Book author Heiligman ( Vincent and Theo, 2017) will attract additional audiences." -Booklist, starred review

"Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair through the eyes of the passengers on the SS City of Benares, a ship commissioned to sail to Canada with 100 children on board during World War II. The SS City of Benares was torpedoed by a German submarine. The imagery of the waves hitting the lifeboats and rafts as the survivors hung on for life is so vivid that readers almost feel as if they, too, are fighting for their lives. Heiligman includes information about the lascars, or Indian sailors, many of whom gave their lives to save as many people as they could. The book is filled with photographs, illustrations, and letters written from the children to their families, as well as the telegraphs reporting the deaths of those on board. The extensive back matter, paired with the author's deft narrative touch, makes this title a must purchase for ¬libraries, a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event. VERDICT Expect this book to garner Heiligman another nonfiction award." -School Library Journal, starred review

"In this gripping account, Heiligman (Vincent and Theo) relates the September 1940 attack by a German submarine on the British passenger ship SS City of Benares, which killed 258 people, including 77 children. In unflinching detail, the book depicts the often fatal struggles of enduring a torpedo strike at sea, as well as the selfless acts of those striving to keep other passengers alive. Distinguished by expertly woven research, including the author's own interviews, the book focuses on the 90 Children's Overseas Reception Board children who were being sent, like others before them, to safety in Canada. The volume describes the families' tearful farewells and then the children's delight during the first days on "the floating palace." Frequent hints of the approaching disaster build momentum as the attack nears, and the tension increases dramatically as the narrative shifts to riveting individual stories of those awaiting rescue in lifeboats or on rafts. Accompanied by photographs and illustrations and including documentation of all who were on board, this is a harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event."- Publishers Weekly

"On September 17th, 1940, a German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger ship SS City of Benares, killing over two hundred people, including children that were being sent away to Canada by their loved ones through the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) to keep them away from the dangers of World War II. Heiligman tracks the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy with meticulous research and a narrative style that balances the tension and drama of a wartime tale with respect and compassion for the lives lost. The book focuses on the experience of the ship's children, both CORB and wealthier kids, lending a compelling immediacy with you-are-there details, like their utter delight at the variety of ice creams available on the "floating palace" to the rocking horse that's a favorite toy in the ship's playroom and is then seen floating away to sea when disaster strikes. Heiligman's use of primary sources and oral interviews makes for riveting accounts of terror, death, heroism, and sacrifice, and foreshadowings of either doom or rescue give the pace a breathless urgency. Photographs and illustrations add further atmosphere; perhaps the most haunting image is the one that opens the book, that of a tailor-made life vest, a gift from an overprotective mother that saved her son from death. There's no avoiding the terrible endings here, but it's nonetheless a fascinating look at the intersections of "fate, human, error, accident, and bad luck" that so often bring about tragedy. Readers who've been absorbed by fictional retellings such as Hood's Lifeboat 12 (BCCB 9/18) will appreciate the factual take here."- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"In Torpedoed, award-winning children's author Deborah Heiligman ( Vincent and Theo; Charles and Emma) explores a harrowing moment in history with clear, insightful prose. Using first-person sources, Heiligman follows the stories of real survivors as events unfold, making history both engaging and personal. In addition to historical documents, photographs and illustrations, Torpedoed also includes ample back matter, including a bibliography, endnotes, an "After the Voyage" section and a list of names of those lost at sea. With her dual focus on the tragedy and the bravery of its heroes, Heiligman maintains an impressive balance while illuminating human strength and resilience in extraordinary circumstances."- Shelf Awareness

Articles & Interviews
Read this guest blog post I wrote for the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, England.

Read Deborah Talks to Roger, where I chat with the Horn Book's Roger Sutton.

I visited with Kirby Larson on Friend Friday: read it here.

Andrew Speno takes a nice long look at the book on his blog, Retelling the Past for Today's Young Readers

Read The Caul, an object of sailor's superstitions from Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, England.

Read Gripping New Nonfiction from Deborah Heiligman: "Torpedoed", a School Library Journal interview.

Torpedoed: Historic Moment To be Remembered, a review of the book on Sandra Bornstein's blog.

"Fateful Voyage," a blog post on Reading Style Guide.
Fuse #8: Newbery/Caldecott 2020: Fall Prediction Edition
Watch a video of an interview I did with School Library Journal about my research for Torpedoed.

Here's a gallery of images about the research I did for the book. If you click on a thumbnail you'll be able to see a slideshow of all the images.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" GodwinBooks/Henry Holt, October 8, 2019 Ages 10-14 9781627795548, $19.99 hardcover Audiobook Buy now: Download the teacher's guide, aligned with the Common Core State Standards In the fall of 2014, my editor, Laura Godwin, took out her phone and showed me a fuzzy photograph of a custom-made lifejacket.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Author Fan Face-off #37: Jewell Parker Rhodes/GHOST BOYS

# data[].attributes.headline
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

# data[].attributes.subject
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Author Fan Face-off #28: Dan Gemeinhart/THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE

# data[].attributes.headline
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

# data[].attributes.subject
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Author Fan Face-off #46: Janae Marks: FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON

# data[].attributes.body
True story written as a graphic novel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
George Takei  “They Called Us Enemy” - One morning in Los Angeles

# data[].attributes.headline
Janae Marks - From the Desk of Zoe Washington

# data[].attributes.subject
Janae Marks - From the Desk of Zoe Washington

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Website for Janae Marks, middle grade author

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Children's Fiction by Jewell Parker Rhodes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ghost Boys - Children's Fiction by Jewell Parker Rhodes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father's actions.