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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