Abandon Ship!, by Michael J Tougias

(Paperback, 288 pages, first published in 2023)

An incredible World War II account of a maritime attack off the West African coast, for fans of Steven Sheinkin.

At the height of World War II, the RMS Laconia was torpedoed by a German submarine five hundred miles off the coast of western Africa. The attack triggered a series of unprecedented events involving allies and enemies from both sides, and left survivors adrift at sea in shark infested oceans, fighting to stay alive with little food or water.

Suspenseful and informative, and featuring historic photographs, this remarkable true account is a testament to the idea that compassion can rule over conflict—even during the cruelties of war. 

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection 

"This epic story races along, unspooling like a movie before our eyes—artfully, dramatically, revealing a little known part of WWII history. An intriguing book." ―Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In Harm’s Way

"The authors do an excellent job of conveying the chaos and loss of this grisly historical incident without pushing young readers too deeply into the horror. Many of those who lived through the Laconia catastrophe endured weeks at sea, parched and sunburned and starving in conditions that literally drove men mad. Archival photos add immediacy to this sensational true-life story." ―Wall Street Journal 

"An amazing account of a World War II event that is almost entirely unknown…. This story chronicles the courage, compassion, and perseverance of the few survivors of the incident, showcasing war at its worst and humanity at its best…. School librarians will want to add this to their collection." ―Booklist

Storyglory Cautions: This book contains intense depictions of survival at sea during WWII, including non-graphic but emotionally powerful descriptions of death by drowning, dehydration, or occasional jumping overboard. It includes scenes of bodies being lowered into the water, fear of being pushed overboard, and the emotional toll of extreme suffering. Mentions of faith, prayer, and finding strength in others appear throughout as well. Recommended for strong middle-grade readers with an interest in WWII history; likely too intense for sensitive readers.

Recommended Age: 12+