Famous Ships

This series brings alive four of the ships lost to history--the Mayflower, the Titanic, the USS Arizona, and the Wilhelm Gustloff. With information on the building and technology of each ship, the people involved and on board, and the story that made the ship famous, each book is a compelling, true story. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

REVIEW:
Reminiscent of old scrapbooks filled with photos and documents, these attractive, well-designed books offer background and little-known facts about famous ships. Of particular note is the writing style: each title manages to maintain suspense, even though readers are well aware of the ships’ outcomes. Engaging, short first-person narratives enliven the text while subject consultants add to the authenticity. Of particular interest is the little known Wilhelm Gustloff and its role in German history during World War II. Page layouts are generously filled with photos, sidebars, charts, maps, and mini-biographies of key players. Sturdy library bindings will hold up for repeated use. Appendices include a factsheet of essential facts and legacies. Students will find these useful for reports and be drawn to the illustrations. It would have been helpful if some photos were digitally retouched for clarity. Recommended.

—Famous Ships – School Library Connection