Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceCentral
- Scary contentCentral
Not found
- Religion
- Race & culture
- Profanity
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender roles
- Gender & orientation
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A riveting true story of World War II, Torpedoed chronicles the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which evacuated children from England. Don't miss this YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist from critically acclaimed author Deborah Heiligman.
Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board.
When the war ships escorting the Benares departed, a German submarine torpedoed what became known as the Children's Ship. Out of tragedy, ordinary people became heroes. This is their story.
More Awards and Praise for Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship":
Golden Kite Award Winner
A Hornbook Fanfare Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
★ "A must-read for all."—School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story." —Horn Book, starred review
★ "Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath." —Booklist, starred review
Frequently asked questions
Is Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" appropriate for a 7-year-old?
A German submarine torpedoes the passenger ship, and the book describes the deaths and struggles of passengers and the wartime bombing around it. The book describes the night-time sinking, children and adults drowning or dying of cold in lifeboats, and a lifeboat left behind for days.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have violence?
Found (Central): A German submarine torpedoes the passenger ship, and the book describes the deaths and struggles of passengers and the wartime bombing around it.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have scary content?
Found (Central): The book describes the night-time sinking, children and adults drowning or dying of cold in lifeboats, and a lifeboat left behind for days.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have religion?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have race & culture?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have profanity?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have gender roles?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Torpedoed The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
