Titanic, Book 1

Gr 5—8—Circumstances bring four youths from different backgrounds together on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic in the first title in a trilogy by Gordon Korman (Scholastic, 2011). Paddy is a stowaway, on the run from gangsters in Belfast. Sophie is the beleaguered daughter of a prominent American suffragette. Alfie has lied about his age in order to secure a job as a steward on the same ship where his father works. Juliana is on a business trip with her father, an eccentric English aristocrat with a gambling problem. The lives of the four become embroiled in adventure and mystery as the great ship embarks on its ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic. Michael Page delivers a strong performance, deftly shifting between characters, and giving each a unique voice by altering accent, pacing, and tone. From Paddy's Irish brogue to Sophie's American accent to Juliana's aristocratic tone and Alfie's working class voice, Page brings the characters to life. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment of this fast-paced story.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL