I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 6, 2016

Review

This is another hit in the "I Survived" series. Set on the Hindenberg on what turns out to be its final flight, 11-year-old Hugo is excited to be on the huge zeppelin as it travels across the Atlantic Ocean. Clearly Tarshis has done her research and she effortlessly weaves it into the story, offering a glimpse into the workings of these impressive machines and a window into the history of the day with the presence of Nazi officers onboard looking for a spy. She does this while crafting an entertaining story that is fast-paced and that introduces characters we quickly care about. At one point, I had to remind myself that it is called "I Survived" because the ending is incredibly suspenseful and I didn't want anything to happen to Hugo, his family, or his friend Marty. This series, this book included, is an excellent way to hook mid-elementary-aged readers on history and on reading.

Overall Book Score: very good