What Sank the World's Biggest Ship?

Gr 2–5—A Q & A format works well as an introduction to the topic. Carson opens with the very broad question of what sank the Titanic and answers with some introductory information about various theories and contributing factors. The complete story is broken down into more specific questions and answers on each spread. These topics include the structure and building of the ship, materials used, decisions regarding lifeboats and design, theories about binoculars for the lookout crew, communication from other ocean liners, and a host of other bits of information that all lead to answering the initial question of why the behemoth ship sank. The focus here is really on the more technical aspects of the vessel and its creation, with minimal details about the people and the luxurious appointments that are often the highlight of similar titles. The writing is straightforward and accessible, and the explanations provide enough detail to satisfy those new to the topic, but more knowledgeable students will want to seek out sources with more depth and breadth. The accompanying artwork is serviceable, often depicting what has been described on the page, but does little to enhance or engage readers beyond the text.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA