Against All Odds

When we think of survival stories, visions of plane crashes in the wilderness and disasters at sea come to mind. However, Slake's Limbo by Felice Holman is an unusual addition to the genre, because the setting is the labyrinth of the New York City subway system and its tunnels.

 

Thirteen year-old Aremis Slake has faced alot of hardship in his young life. He lives with a neglectful aunt, has no friends, and is ignored in school. Unfortunately, he is small for his age, and is the target of bullies in his neighborhood. When they chase him, Slake always finds refuge in the subway and rides around until his world becomes habitable once again.

 

One day, things go particularly badly for Slake. First, he is pursued by bullies who take his sweater. Afterwards, he runs into a park and climbs a tree, where a park attendant threatens to call the police. Out of options, Slake runs into the nearest subway station, and remains in the tunnels for 121 days.

 

How does Slake survive and turn an unusual environment into a home? Does he ever come out of his subterranean lair?

 

This is a classic novel about homelessness, courage, and endurance.

 

 

 

A Voyage To Disaster

Here is the definitive book for Titanic enthusiasts and novices alike!

 

Award-winning, prolific author Deborah Hopkinson (Shutting Out The Sky) skillfully interweaves engaging, fact-filled text with high quality archival black-and-white photographs (telegrams, newspaper articles, etc.) to relate the unforgettable story of RMS Titanic, which, on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York, hit an iceberg and sank in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Tragically, 1,496 people lost their lives in this catastrophic maritime incident. Deemed "unsinkable," Titanic was the largest ship and technological wonder of her time, and boasted features such as a gymnasium, spectacular first-class staterooms, and numerous elegant restaurants. This well-researched volume utilizes survivor and witness accounts - Captain Arthur Rostron of the rescue ship, Carpathia, Violet Jessop, a stewardess, Thomas Andrews, the ship's designer, a 9-year-old-boy, and a science teacher - to enable readers to experience the sinking from multiple perspectives. The author presents the ship's launching to its demise, the rescue of 712 survivors in lifeboats picked up by the Carpathia, and the discovery of the shipwreck on the ocean floor by marine scientist, Dr. Robert Ballard.

 

Other special features in this book are a glossary of nautical terms, a Titanic chronology, facts and figures, and a comprehensive bibliography.