December 1, 2019

Gr 2-6-Like many other popular series, "I Survived" is being adapted into graphic novel format. Tarshis's tale of terror in the middle of the Atlantic hews closely to the source material. In 1912, 10-year-old George is traveling with his little sister and his aunt aboard the Titanic. Restless and a bit mischievous, George finds excitement and meets friends above and below deck. Tension builds as the ship collides with an iceberg and begins to sink. George, his family, and his friends escape the rising water on the lower levels and make their way to the upper decks, which leads to separation, icy waters, and, ultimately, rescue by the Carpathia. Dark, subdued, inky art sets a somber tone, while a parade of mostly small panels builds suspense and promises to engage readers. As George explores the ship, the illustrations highlight the enormity of the Titanic, from George and his family's lavish first-class quarters to the boiler room to the mail sorting room to the baggage hold. Appended facts about the Titanic and information on real-life passengers let readers make connections between this fictional story and the actual events. VERDICT This title will be in high demand where the original series circulates well.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Grades 3-6 Ten-year old George Calder loves adventure and is hoping to find it aboard the maiden voyage of the Titanic, but when the infamous ship starts to sink, it's up to George and his quick wits to find a way out for his family and friends. The original I Survived series already has lots of appeal for emerging readers, but this graphic adaptation of Tarshis' novel not only stays incredibly true to the original story but now provides another format in which to enjoy this high-interest and easily accessible piece of historical fiction. The illustrations nicely complement the plot-driven tone and softly show the historical horror appropriately for a young audience without minimalizing its tragedy. The dense colors and detailed figures and backgrounds mimic the feel of 1940's pulp comics, which works quite well with the overall tone. Readers will be poring over the pages to see what happens next, even if they're already familiar with the story. Includes additional facts about the shipwreck, period photos, and further-reading lists for kids inspired to further research.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)