Watkins,
Steve. Sink or Swim. Scholastic Press 2017 247p. $16.99 ISBN 978-1-338-05790-4 ms/jr Historical Fiction E-BN
Sometimes
the writing style combines with the voice of a protagonist and the action in a
novel to produce a book that the reader just can’t put down. Watkins has achieved
just such a combination in this treatment of a World War II patrol craft in the
Atlantic. In this case, he adds just
enough historical reality to make the novel come alive. Danny is supposed to ship out, but he is injured when
a German U-boat surfaces beneath him while he is fishing. His brother Colton, full of hatred for the
Germans and a desire for revenge, takes Danny's place, assuming the age
required to enlist. His commanding
officers know that he is underage, but they keep their suspicions quiet,
especially when Colton turns out to be quite an addition to the navy. Colton’s
expertise on the water combined with a loyalty to his shipmates and an
unquestionably brave spirit pits him against the cold, the danger and the
losses he suffers. There is a sense of realism that will put you back in time and right there in each
battle as the patrol craft tries to protect cargo ships making their way to
help the cause. The writing style will
lead the reader to emerge from the novel with a real idea of what was happening
in the war. Colton’s first-person narrative builds the drama perfectly. The action is frightening, and Watkins allows
the reader to breathe just before smacking him/her in the face with the
authentic details that demonstrate his careful research into this period of
American history. The camaraderie of men
who needed it to survive the war is poignant, especially when Colton
experiences loss after loss on the high seas.
The glossary at the end of the book helps young readers without prior
knowledge of naval terms, and the Author’s Note
clarifies any questions the reader might have about the authenticity of the
events.
Summary:
When Colton’s brother Danny is about to
enter World War II as a sailor, he is injured by a German U-boat while fishing
off the coast of North Carolina.
Enraged, Colton takes Danny's place, pretending to be him, and makes a
place for himself on a patrol craft in the Atlantic, fighting the Germans.
World War,
1939-1945-Fiction --Martha
Squaresky
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