Book Reviews and More: SOS - Gordon Korman

S.O.S.

Titanic Series Book 3

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545123334

eISBN 9780545388474

ASIN B005HE2QUG

Wow! What a thrilling conclusion to this series. This book was originally published in 2011, and the most recent edition in 2016. According to Goodreads there are 25 editions of the third volume in this series, including editions in English and French listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 105 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I now have 4 books from series to go, the final book in each of 4 different series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them. And my 14 year old daughter has enjoyed a number of them

The description of this volume states:

“From bestselling author Gordon Korman, the thrilling conclusion to the adventure aboard the unluckiest ship of all.

The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable - the largest passenger steamship in the world, one of the biggest and most luxurious ships ever to operate.

For Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie, the Titanic is full of mysteries - whether they're to be found in the opulent first-class cabins and promenade decks or the shadows in the underbelly of the ship. Secrets and plans are about to be revealed - only now disaster looms, and time is running out. The four of them need to find the truth, unmask the killer...and try not to go down with the ship.”

About the author at the back of this volume we are informed:

“GORDON KORMAN started writing novels when he was about the same age as the characters in this book, with his first novel, This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!, published when he was fourteen. Since then, his novels have sold millions of copies around the world. Most recently, he is the author of Swindle, Zoobreak, and Framed, the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, and Kidnapped, and the series On the Run. His other novels include No More Dead Dogs and Son of the Mob. He lives in New York with his family, and can be found on the web at his website.”

I do not think there is anyone not familiar with the story of the Titanic, this version of historical fiction by Korman helps us experience the events through several different sets of eyes, mostly youth; youth from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. From a street urchin in Dublin, to an aristocrats daughter, to a young man who faked his age to serve on the ship with his father, to a girl who constantly seems embarrassed by her mother’s political activism. The events in this instalment of this series take place between, Monday, April 15, 1912, 12:15 A.M. and Tuesday, May 14, 1912, 10:45 A.M.. The youths have had a few run-ns with the Ripper and have a few more during this adventure. The way Korman wrote about the sinking, and the aftermath was masterfully done. It was not too gruesome, but it was realistic and riveting.

I admit I have never been much into the story of the Titanic, I have never seen the movie, and it is on my all-time list to never see, but this book and series are excellent, and it were do but put to film, I would go to see it with no hesitation.

This book and series is historical fiction at its best. Coming from a long line of Irish men, the Irish thugs presented here seem very familiar, as does the scrappy Irish street urchin. The numerous historical figures that are actually part of these events are well written. It is masterfully written historical fiction, sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)