Stacey Lee is, in my opinion, one of the reigning monarchs of YA historical fiction-although it isn't my favorite genre, I will, without fail, pick up anything she writes. Do I care at all about the Titanic? Not really. Did I read this anyway? OF COURSE.
As is probably common for those of us who went to school in the United States, I did not know about the Chinese people aboard the Titanic, or how terribly they were treated (though I am not surprised, of course, given the attitudes at the time of the Titanic's sailing as well as in the present day), and Lee graciously takes the time in a few author's notes to educate readers on the actual details that are known about these people. As with all of her other works, she gives us an engaging, entertaining historical fiction story that sheds light on people whose stories are not often at the forefront of historical fiction (or historical fact).
The main character, Valora, is an acrobat who is trying to connect with her brother in the wake of her father's death and, due to some extenuating circumstances, ends up stowing away on the Titanic to do so. Of course what actually happens to the ship is not a surprise, but the events of Valora's story up until that fateful end are really interesting-she is an acrobat and wants to revive her act with her brother in America. Along the way, she impersonates a first class passenger, makes some new friends, and causes a stir amongst the passengers with her talents and her eccentric personality. I thoroughly enjoyed her reunion with her brother, her attempts to right the wrongs of racist passengers and crew members, and her unexpected new friends.
The ending, however, was like a punch straight to my heart-obviously, we know what happens to the ship-I won't give away what happens to the characters I grew to love, but I will say that with any tragedy there is great sadness. Still, a worthwhile read-just be prepared to cry.
As is probably common for those of us who went to school in the United States, I did not know about the Chinese people aboard the Titanic, or how terribly they were treated (though I am not surprised, of course, given the attitudes at the time of the Titanic's sailing as well as in the present day), and Lee graciously takes the time in a few author's notes to educate readers on the actual details that are known about these people. As with all of her other works, she gives us an engaging, entertaining historical fiction story that sheds light on people whose stories are not often at the forefront of historical fiction (or historical fact).
The main character, Valora, is an acrobat who is trying to connect with her brother in the wake of her father's death and, due to some extenuating circumstances, ends up stowing away on the Titanic to do so. Of course what actually happens to the ship is not a surprise, but the events of Valora's story up until that fateful end are really interesting-she is an acrobat and wants to revive her act with her brother in America. Along the way, she impersonates a first class passenger, makes some new friends, and causes a stir amongst the passengers with her talents and her eccentric personality. I thoroughly enjoyed her reunion with her brother, her attempts to right the wrongs of racist passengers and crew members, and her unexpected new friends.
The ending, however, was like a punch straight to my heart-obviously, we know what happens to the ship-I won't give away what happens to the characters I grew to love, but I will say that with any tragedy there is great sadness. Still, a worthwhile read-just be prepared to cry.