During World War II, British families feared for the safety of their children as German bombers attacked the country. "It seemed a good bet that the children would be safer at sea than at home," so the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) was created to ship children away for the duration of the war.
In September 1940, the SS City of Benares, a luxury liner used as military and CORB transport, set sail to Canada; on board with the crew and paying passengers were 90 CORB children and 10 escorts. "All the children were struck by the ship's grandeur," but what began as adventure--"It is very lovely," wrote one child to her parents, "I wish you were with us"--turned tragic when a German U-boat torpedoed the ship during a strong storm. Injuries, overturned lifeboats, drowning and exposure to cold ultimately resulted in the deaths of all but 148 of the original 406 on board. Of the 90 CORB children, only 13 survived.
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 In addition to historical documents, photographs and illustrations, Torpedoed also includes ample back matter, including a bibliography, endnotes, an "After the Voyage" section and a list of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. --Jennifer Oleinik, freelance writer and editor