Title: S.O.S. (Save Our Ships)
Author: Sue C Dugan
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure
Book Blurb:
Thirteen-year-old Brandon, Amy, and their family are on a cruise to Bermuda when hurricane-force winds sink their ship. Brandon and Amy escape into a life raft. Brandon needs to use his wits to keep himself and his sister safe until they are rescued by The City of Benares—an evacuee ship with children fleeing from the Germans during WWII. They seem to have gone back in time!
Although their situation is confusing and seems like a dream, not all is terrible when Brandon meets the beautiful Eleanor, who is going to New York to escape the London bombings. They can’t comprehend why they have gone back in time. The atmosphere on the ship is fun, even though the threat of the German torpedoes is real. When the ship is sunk by a torpedo, Brandon, Amy, and Eleanor escape and are rescued by the Titanic. They remember what happened with the iceberg and know they must leave and plan their escape. They leave the Titanic to be rescued by the SS Austria—a wooden ship from the 1800s—where the passengers view them suspiciously. When the Austria burns and sinks, they are adrift until they find land, spot a small plane taking off from the jungle, and know they’ve discovered a way home.
Excerpt:
The crewman put his hand down, took Amy’s, and helped her climb the ladder, and then Eleanor, Brandon, and the remaining crew members. The rope continued to sway against the ship.
“Brand?” Amy called out nervously.
“Right behind you.”
“I’m scared.”
“It’s okay, lass,” a crew member tried to soothe her.
The crew at the top helped Amy over the rail, and then another member gave his hand to Eleanor. When Brandon reached the top, he tumbled over the side and collapsed on the deck. His bones felt as if they would break.
The passengers crowded around.
“Back now,” the sailor said. “Give ’em room!”
Brandon lay still, gathering his strength and steadying his racing heart. He moaned, turned on his side, and pushed himself up. A crew member held Eleanor and Amy until they got their balance. Brandon wobbled at first but held on to the railing to steady his legs.
“Let’s get you checked out by the ship’s doctor. Come this way, to the infirmary.”
They followed the man, holding the railings for support as he led them down the stairs to a room marked with the familiar red cross.
Amy tugged on his coat. “Brandon, what does T-i-t-a...”
“What?” Her words were mumbled, and his ears were still filled with the wind and whooshing of the waves.
Eleanor wobbled on her feet, and Brandon caught her, but she continued to sag. “Help. I think she fainted,” he said.
Amy tugged on his sleeve again.
“Not now. Eleanor needs our help.”
“Is my mommy here?” Amy demanded.
Brandon ignored her as he and a sailor guided Eleanor into the infirmary, where they got her to a cot and put her head between her knees. After a few words with the crewman, Mr. Dunford, the medical steward, came over and waved something under Eleanor’s nose, and her head snapped up.
She waved her hands around. “So sorry. I feel woozy.”
The steward eased her back down on the cot. “You need rest, lass. Shall I ring for tea?”
“Okay, yes, please, that would be lovely.” Eleanor closed her eyes and massaged her temples.
“Something stronger for you, Sir?” he asked Brandon.
“That... that… would be good.” The ice cube feeling returned.
“A dram, perhaps?”
“Sure.” Any drink will do, he figured.
“And you?” He turned to Amy.
“Hot chocolate!” She clapped her hands.
“Right-o!”
Brandon and Amy sat on the cot opposite Eleanor. She draped her arm over her head, shielding her eyes from the light of the infirmary.
“Brandon?”
“What, Amy?”
“What does T-I-T-A-N-I-C spell?”
Now, it was Brandon’s turn to feel light-headed and faint.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
S.O.S. Is the first place winner of the Gertrude Warner prize for middle grade adventure fiction through Chanticleer, it also was awarded a Golden Wizard prize, and 5-stars on LitPick.
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Runs September 10 – September 17, 2024.
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Author Biography:
Sue C. Dugan isn’t sure she’s ever traveled back in time, but if she did, she’d want to go on The Mayflower and meet her distant relative, William Brewster. Imagine the story she could tell about the ships harrowing journey to a new, untamed land.
Sue’s writing has been compared to Agatha Christie and Ursula K. LeGuin. Christie had a simple writing style and intriguing plot twists, entertaining millions of readers. Ursula K. LeGuin was a speculative, fantasy, and science fiction author. Sue is honored that her writing style is close to those literary greats.
When Sue’s not dreaming up plots, interesting characters, and unbelievable situations, she’s walking the dog, reading, or doing pilates. She has two children and five grandchildren and lives in Sparks, Nevada.
Social Media Links:
Sue C Dugan Writer and Sue C Dugan Author Books – Facebook
Scduganauthor – Instagram