Tuesday, April 3, 2018

A Blinding Light by Julie Lawson - NO

Lawson, Julie A Blinding Light, 257 pages. Nimbus, 2017. $14.95. Language: G Mature Content: PG Violence: PG.

On December 6, 1917, two ships, one carrying an enormous amount of munitions bound for Europe, collide in Halifax Harbor, Canada. The result is an explosion that levels the northern part of Halifax. Thousands of people are injured or die. 15-year-old Will Schneider witnesses the collision, but the truth is not what people want to hear. They are determined to find Captain Mackey responsible. When Will decides to testify on his behalf, he is subjected to ridicule because of his German heritage. Meanwhile, Will’s sister, Livy, and his mother recover from their near brushes with death when they unexpectedly find themselves on the north side during the explosion.

I found this book to be slow to get into. The explosion does not occur until ¼ of the way into the book, and until that time the storyline doesn’t lead anywhere interesting. Historical fiction can be a tough sell to kids and unless the story grabs you right away with action or emotion, it’s not going to gain an audience. It’s an interesting topic, but as written, can’t compete with historical events that already have a natural appeal for kids.

EL, MS – NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist


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