NONFICTION

A Storm Too Soon: A Remarkable True Survival Story in 80-Foot Seas

by Michael J. TOUGIAS
288p. photos. Holt. Aug. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781627792813.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–8—This true tale of survival and rescue at sea centers on three men who headed out to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to France only to cross paths with Tropical Storm Andrea. Waves quickly built to 80 feet high, and their 47-foot sailboat sank, leaving them adrift on a life raft with no means of communication. Despite the impossible circumstances, the Coast Guard completed an amazing rescue at sea. The dramatic narrative is engaging and won't disappoint students who enjoy adventure or rescue stories, though this is best suited for those with an interest in sailing. An epilogue details how some of the survivors struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and needed counseling, a valuable addition that underlines the severity of the experience.
VERDICT An acceptable narrative nonfiction title for fans of the true-survival story genre.
Reviewed by Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN
This adaptation of Tougias's adult book will thrill readers who relish survival stories. A vicious, unexpected storm capsizes a sailboat, nearly destroys the life raft to which three men cling, and threatens the lives of the coast guardsmen sent to rescue them. Tougias describes their peril and courage in exhilarating detail. An insert with photos and maps helps landlubbers comprehend the true events.
 , Apr 01, 2016

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