"The first installment of Tarshis' sprawling prose disaster oeuvre for young readers is reimagined in visually interesting full-color comic panels that support its recognizable thrilling pace and convenient twists. Many of the most exciting scenes are largely wordless, spotlighting the propulsive action amid growing tensions. A fresh and interesting adaptation, making for an easy crowd pleaser." — Kirkus Reviews
"The original I Survived series already has lots of appeal for emerging readers, but this graphic adaptation of Tarshis' novel not only stays incredibly true to the original story but now provides another format in which to enjoy this high-interest and easily accessible piece of historical fiction. The illustrations nicely complement the plot-driven tone and softly show the historical horror appropriately for a young audience without minimalizing its tragedy... Readers will be poring over the pages to see what happens next, even if they're already familiar with the story." — Booklist
"Dark, subdued, inky art sets a somber tone, while a parade of mostly small panels builds suspense and promises to engage readers." — Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
Praise for Lauren Tarshis's I Survived chapter books:
Praise for I Survived the American Revolution, 1776:
"Tarshis successfully blends historical fact with an involving narrative." — School Library Journal
Praise for I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79:
"Tarshis serves up another gripping adventure... with the light-speed pacing and death-defying maneuvering fans have come to expect." — Booklist
Praise for I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863:
"Informative and breathlessly paced." — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001:
"[Tarshis] crafts a dramatic, emotionally intense tale that takes account of 9/11's physical and emotional costs — short- and long-term — while ending on an upward beat." — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005:
"Expressive illustrations capture the drama of the storm and its aftermath, but the book's real power comes from its exploration of what it means to be a hero." — Booklist
Praise for I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916:
"A gripping story that will hold the interest of reluctant readers." — School Library Journal
Praise for I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912:
"The fast pace and intrinsically fascinating disaster story will keep readers turning the pages." — Kirkus Reviews
12/01/2019
Gr 2–6—Like many other popular series, "I Survived" is being adapted into graphic novel format. Tarshis's tale of terror in the middle of the Atlantic hews closely to the source material. In 1912, 10-year-old George is traveling with his little sister and his aunt aboard the Titanic. Restless and a bit mischievous, George finds excitement and meets friends above and below deck. Tension builds as the ship collides with an iceberg and begins to sink. George, his family, and his friends escape the rising water on the lower levels and make their way to the upper decks, which leads to separation, icy waters, and, ultimately, rescue by the Carpathia. Dark, subdued, inky art sets a somber tone, while a parade of mostly small panels builds suspense and promises to engage readers. As George explores the ship, the illustrations highlight the enormity of the Titanic, from George and his family's lavish first-class quarters to the boiler room to the mail sorting room to the baggage hold. Appended facts about the Titanic and information on real-life passengers let readers make connections between this fictional story and the actual events. VERDICT This title will be in high demand where the original series circulates well.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
2019-10-13
A popular prose series gets a graphic revitalization.
Faithfully following its predecessor, the book introduces readers to 10-year-old George, an American boy traveling first class on the Titanic with his aunt Daisy and little sister, Phoebe. When the fateful collision between boat and berg occurs, Phoebe goes missing. As the arctic waters rise, George sets out to find her. Although panic mounts all around, it seems that George's privilege will save him, until he is shocked to discover otherwise. After the Titanic goes down and he's safe back at home, George wrestles with his anxieties in a way that is accessibly age-appropriate, albeit a bit facile. In the vein of other graphic adaptations of bestselling series (like the evergreen The Baby Sitter's Club), the first installment of Tarshis' sprawling prose disaster oeuvre for young readers is reimagined in visually interesting full-color comic panels that support its recognizable thrilling pace and convenient twists. Many of the most exciting scenes are largely wordless, spotlighting the propulsive action amid growing tensions. New backmatter includes interesting historical facts and photographs of persons and places of interest, including pictures of the first-, second-, and third-class cabins and of relics recovered from the shipwreck. Also included are lists of further reading, both fiction and nonfiction. George, Phoebe, and Daisy are white, as are nearly all the secondary characters as well. A fresh and interesting adaptation, making for an easy crowd pleaser. (facts, character bios, bibliographies) (Graphic adaptation. 7-10)
