2023-01-12
A young girl stows away on the Titanic.
Twelve-year-old narrator Hazel Rothbury arrives in Southampton on April 10, 1912, only to discover she doesn’t have enough money for a ticket. Hazel is bound for factory work in America, leaving behind the family farm. She sneaks aboard inside another passenger’s trunk, and a young crewman finds her an empty cabin to stow away in. Sylvia, a first-class passenger Hazel’s age, and Mrs. Abelman, a former governess, befriend her. Hazel dreads the thought of the factory and wishes to be a journalist—an aspiration that reflects her questioning, curious personality. Hazel’s determined and occasionally inopportune questions allow Nielsen to deftly deliver myriad details that point to the looming disaster. These include the nature of icebergs, the refraction of light on calm seas, and the construction of the Titanic and its preparedness for emergencies. Hazel herself has an opportunity to observe human nature at close range, as she realizes both of her friends may be the targets of thieves and tries to intervene. When Hazel and Sylvia are locked in a cargo hold, the stakes seem very high. The astonishing acts of heroism, and a few of cowardice, that accompanied the sinking of the ship and the rescue of a fraction of its passengers become part of Hazel’s story. Most characters read White; there is passing mention of four Chinese passengers, but other non-Europeans do not appear.
Page-turning historical drama. (photo credit, author’s note) (Historical fiction. 9-13)
Praise for Iceberg:
"Page-turning historical drama" — Kirkus Reviews
"Nielsen (Lines of Courage) attentively sketches the Titanic's allure...and details its social hierarchy, seeding anticipation...it all makes for an engrossing portrait of an infamous maiden journey." — Publishers Weekly
"This story of perseverance and survival should please readers who enjoy historical fiction with heroism and a heavy sense of foreboding." — Booklist
"Nielsen's use of both real and fictional characters makes the story feel authentic and wildly suspenseful as she takes the reader on the final journey of the 'unsinkable ship.'" — School Library Connection
Praise for Words on Fire:
* "Gripping... Audra's story deserves a place on the shelf next to Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief." — Booklist, starred review
"[This] adventure about a little-known place and time... delivers action and suspense." — Kirkus Reviews
"There is much on offer in this novel: family love, patriotism, magic, and the importance of books... Highly recommended." — School Library Connection
Praise for Resistance:
A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
"The edge-of-your-seat climax places readers amidst the gritty, horrifying street battles of the Warsaw Ghetto and pays tribute to those who sacrificed themselves so others would live... Historical fiction at its finest, this informs, enlightens, and engages young readers." — School Library Journal
"Highlight[s] moments of resistance via cinematic action sequences." — Kirkus Reviews
"Suspense mounts continually as Chaya survives her ordeals, gaining strength and faith in her mission. The courage and self-sacrifice of many characters is inspiring." — Publishers Weekly
"Fast-paced and suspenseful." — School Library Connection
Praise for A Night Divided:
ILA-CBC Children's Choices List selection
"Absorbing and deeply suspenseful, with plenty of ticking-clock tension... an eye-opening glimpse of history." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A marvelously crafted historical novel about courage, perseverance and the will to survive, A Night Divided excels in every regard." — Reading Eagle
"Distinct supporting characters... demonstrate the harrowing choices people made to survive, encouraging readers to consider what they would have done if fate and history had cast them into the story... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page." — School Library Journal
"History buffs will drool over the magnificently told tale, but even reluctant readers will become immersed in the tension-filled exploits." — Voice of Youth Advocates
"Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for the Ascendance Trilogy:
A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book
A Cybils Award Winner
* "An impressive, promising story." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"[A] pageturner." — New York Times Book Review
"Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." — The Wall Street Journal
"A swashbuckling origin story..." — Los Angeles Times
"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." — School Library Journal
"Gripping." — Kirkus Reviews
"Should appeal to fans of... Suzanne Collins... [A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." — The Horn Book
