FICTION

Sink or Swim: A Novel of WWII

by Steve WATKINS
272p. Scholastic. Oct. 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781338057904.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–6—Twelve-year-old Colton steals his brother Danny's enlistment papers and joins the Navy. (Danny was badly hurt when a German U-boat hit their fishing boat and is in a coma.) Colton, surprisingly, survives boot camp and is soon on a ship in the Navy. Through his time at sea, Colton promises to take care of his family and fight the Germans that hurt his brother. Although the premise seems unbelievable, it is based on a true story of the youngest U.S. soldier to fight in Word War II. Colton is a strong character who allows younger readers to get a glimpse into combat life during the Second World War. The book is full of action, adventure, and history. Watkins explains enough aspects of the Navy to engage readers, but keeps it brief so as not to take attention away from the main plot.
VERDICT As little context is explored, this novel will be best appreciated by readers with a basic knowledge of World War II history.
Reviewed by Maeve Dodds, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC
When Danny's fishing boat is sunk by a German U-boat, he's left in a coma. This inspires his twelve-year-old brother Colton to use Danny's enlistment documents to join the Navy. As detailed in the author's note, Watkins's accessible and immediate-feeling historical novel was inspired by the real-life experience of Calvin Graham, the youngest person to serve in WWII. Glos.
 , Jun 01, 2018

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