A Storm Too Soon (Young Readers Edition)

May 1, 2016
In an adaptation for young readers of his A Storm Too Soon: A True Story of Disaster, Survival, and an Incredible Rescue (2013), Tougias tells the story of the Sean Seymour II, a 44-foot sailboat swamped in a Gulf Stream storm in 2007. For Rudy Snel, Jean Pierre "JP" de Lutz, and Ben Frye, it's a dream voyage to cross the Atlantic from Florida to France in JP's beloved boat. Conditions are favorable, the boat is in great shape, and the white men will be sailing in May, ahead of the hurricane season. They will simply sail northeast toward Bermuda and turn due east toward Europe. But best-laid plans go awry, and they find themselves caught in a storm of otherworldly proportions. Eighty-foot rogue waves sink the boat, and all hope resides in their life raft and their global position-indicating radio beacon. Tougias' third-person narrative, condensed and more tightly focused than the adult version, brings to life the struggles and heroism of the sailors and rescuers alike, highlighting life lessons learned. The urgent present-tense narration places readers in the action, with smoothly woven detours adding information on such details as the trick to getting into a lifeboat, how sharks attack, and brief biographies of the rescuers. Readers will be fascinated by details about rescue boats, hypothermia, sharks, the Gulf Stream, and the difficult lives after survival. A sure-fire hit with young readers who are always ready for a good disaster tale. (epilogue, author's note) (Nonfiction. 9-14)

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April 1, 2016

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.-Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 When three men set out to sail from Florida to France, they hardly suspect the terrifying fate awaiting them. After several peaceful days aboard the Sean Seamour II, the sailors are overtaken by a sudden storm. Gigantic waves sink the boat, along with the men's supplies. The exhausted sailors cling to a damaged life raft that provides little defense against the wind and waves. Meanwhile, back on land, a search-and-rescue plane deploys with the nearly impossible mission of locating the raft in the maelstrom. Once the raft is spotted, it is a constant struggle to track it while the helicopter crew maneuvers a rescue swimmer into 80-foot waveslarge enough to possibly take down the aircraft. This true story, adapted from the 2013 adult book of the same title, reads like a thriller, with one thing after another going wrong and each challenge seemingly impossible to overcome. The courage displayed by the team may inspire readers to learn more about their exciting (if life-threatening) careers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)