Penny and the Tragic Voyage: A Lusitania Survival Story

by Julie Gilbert, Soia Di Chiara Manetti (Illustrator)

Overview

It is 1915, and twelve-year-old Penny and her brother Charles are embarking on a trip to England aboard the RMS Lusitania. But war is brewing overseas, and there are rumors that Germany will torpedo any ship that comes into the area—even a ship full of civilian passengers. Shy and nervous Penny is worried, but those worries fade when she makes her first real friend, a bold girl named Mary. With Mary, Penny begins to find her voice for the first time. Then, as they approach Ireland, their worst fear comes true: The Lusitania is struck by a torpedo. In the chaos of a sinking ship, Penny becomes separated from Charles and Mary, and she must gather all her courage to stay alive and face an uncertain future. This fast-paced Girls Survive historical fiction—with nonfiction backmatter, including an author’s note, discussion questions, and more—will captivate readers as they learn the devastating story of the sinking of the Lusitania.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781669086345
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2025
Series:	Girls Survive Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Julie Gilbert has been writing and publishing since the fourth grade, when she stapled together a series of graphic novels about her cat. Julie is the author of the Dark Waters series from Stone Arch Books, as well as several titles in the Girls Survive series. She also has written Cemetery Songs, a novel for young adults. Julie’s novels consider themes of identity and belonging, often with a healthy dose of fantasy and magic. She lives with her family in Minnesota.

Chiara “Soia” Manetti is an Italian illustrator who grew up in the countryside. They were never good with words, so they learned to express and communicate through art—eventually making it their job! They studied sculpture for theatre props and are currently learning animation to refine their storytelling abilities. Soia loves picking up different hobbies, like crochet, and spending time with their cat.

Interviews

History made personal by experiencing it through a fictional character;