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True Rescue Series
True Rescue: The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue
Four young men in a tiny lifeboat brave a dreadful storm to save dozens of lives in this illustrated chapter book adaptation (for readers 6-9) of the New York Times bestseller The Finest Hours.
On the night of February 18th, 1952, during one of the worst winter storms that New England has even seen, two oil tankers off the shore of Cape Cod are torn in half by the force of the seas. For the men on board, survival seemed impossible. What follows is a harrowing Coast Guard rescue in a tiny lifeboat, where four young heroes beat the odds and bring more than thirty stranded sailors to safety.
This first book in the True Rescue chapter book series is a fast-paced, uplifting story that puts newly independent readers in the middle of the action.
Christy Ottaviano Books
New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias adapts his histories of real life stories for young readers in his True Rescue Series, capturing the heroism and humanity of people on life-saving missions during maritime disasters.
Illustrated Chapter Books for ages 6-9:
True Rescue: The Finest Hours
True Rescue: A Storm Too Soon
Young Readers Adaptations, for ages 9-14
The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition)
A Storm Too Soon (Young Readers Edition)
Into the Blizzard (Young Readers Edition)
Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition)
On the night of February 18th, 1952, during one of the worst winter storms that New England has even seen, two oil tankers off the shore of Cape Cod are torn in half by the force of the seas. For the men on board, survival seemed impossible. What follows is a harrowing Coast Guard rescue in a tiny lifeboat, where four young heroes beat the odds and bring more than thirty stranded sailors to safety.
This first book in the True Rescue chapter book series is a fast-paced, uplifting story that puts newly independent readers in the middle of the action.
Christy Ottaviano Books
New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias adapts his histories of real life stories for young readers in his True Rescue Series, capturing the heroism and humanity of people on life-saving missions during maritime disasters.
Illustrated Chapter Books for ages 6-9:
True Rescue: The Finest Hours
True Rescue: A Storm Too Soon
Young Readers Adaptations, for ages 9-14
The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition)
A Storm Too Soon (Young Readers Edition)
Into the Blizzard (Young Readers Edition)
Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition)
- GenresNonfictionMiddle Grade
96 pages, ebook
Published December 8, 2020
About the author
Michael J. Tougias
62 books150 followersAdventure is the theme that runs through most of my books, from outdoors titles (The Connecticut River from Source to Sea, Exploring the Hidden Charles) to fiction (Until I Have No Country) to nonfiction sea rescues (Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty).
One of my current adventures is waiting to see if Disney will begin filming a movie-length version of the Coast Guard rescue book The Finest Hours. Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends have been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) but I think they just want me to revise their characters so they don't look so dumb!
One of my current adventures is waiting to see if Disney will begin filming a movie-length version of the Coast Guard rescue book The Finest Hours. Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends have been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) but I think they just want me to revise their characters so they don't look so dumb!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 25, 2021
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
“Bernie recalled the Coast Guard’s official motto: Semper Paratus, Latin for ‘Always Ready.’ However, it was the unofficial Coast Guard motto that now weighed heavily in his mind: ‘You have to go out, but you do not have to come back.’”
Spectacular version of the Pendleton rescue account. Wonderful to read with children and teens. I loved that the heroes were humble even after fame knocked on their doors. True heroism is about the hard work, and that was showcased here.
Content: one profanity
“Bernie recalled the Coast Guard’s official motto: Semper Paratus, Latin for ‘Always Ready.’ However, it was the unofficial Coast Guard motto that now weighed heavily in his mind: ‘You have to go out, but you do not have to come back.’”
Spectacular version of the Pendleton rescue account. Wonderful to read with children and teens. I loved that the heroes were humble even after fame knocked on their doors. True heroism is about the hard work, and that was showcased here.
Content: one profanity
May 12, 2022
On February 18, 1952, in one of the worst storms New England has ever experienced, two oil tankers split in half. With waves of over 70 feet, the likelihood that the crews of these ships would die was very high, particularly since only one of the tankers was known to be in trouble. But a crew of four brave members of the Coast Guard set out into this storm and pulled off an amazing rescue. This short book is a fast-paced read and will appeal to kids who like the "I survived" series.
January 9, 2024
A good short adventure story, with a heartwarming ending! It's not a heavy read and as the book says, it is a young reader's book. Definitely made me want to read the actual book!
December 8, 2020
First sentence: February 18, 1952 Captain John Fitzgerald could barely stay on his feet aboard his rocking ship, the 503-foot-long oil tanker named Pendleton. Fitzgerald had been in bad weather before, but nothing like the winter storm that was now raging off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Premise/plot: The Finest Hours is an early chapter book adaptation of a young readers adaptation of an adult nonfiction title. It is part of a series of true survivor stories. The intensity of the action is HIGH. And the books highlight the courage, determination, grit shown, and to some degree miraculous nature of events.
In this one, an oil tanker splits in two, the bow and stern separate--of course--and it's unclear to those on board if help will ever come....
By chance another oil tanker splits in two and is able to send out a message....but it is the Pendleton that is found...
The narrative shifts between those on board the tanker AND those of the Coast Guard sent to save them...
My thoughts: Very intense. Action-packed. Quick read. I liked it.
Premise/plot: The Finest Hours is an early chapter book adaptation of a young readers adaptation of an adult nonfiction title. It is part of a series of true survivor stories. The intensity of the action is HIGH. And the books highlight the courage, determination, grit shown, and to some degree miraculous nature of events.
In this one, an oil tanker splits in two, the bow and stern separate--of course--and it's unclear to those on board if help will ever come....
By chance another oil tanker splits in two and is able to send out a message....but it is the Pendleton that is found...
The narrative shifts between those on board the tanker AND those of the Coast Guard sent to save them...
My thoughts: Very intense. Action-packed. Quick read. I liked it.
November 21, 2020
Would you risk your life battling sixty foot waves to save crew members of an T2 oil tanker off the Atlantic Ocean, in winter, knowing that your chances of surviving your mission were nearly impossible? This true story draws the reader into the very emotions of Bernie Webber and his crew as they risk everything to save the crew members of the Pendleton. The thoughts and actions of those on the Pendleton waiting hours for maybe the hope that someone would rescue them is captured with such honesty. This book is for anyone who loves true stories, that capture the human spirit of grit, courage and strength. It opens the readers eyes to the Coast Guard and how vitally important they are and how true they are to their motto Semper Paratus, always ready. The added illustrations and photos at the end of the book help in engaging the reader.
December 14, 2020
True Rescue: The Finest Hours is an adventure all on its own. One of the finest and most daring rescues in New England history. When two ships are stricken in winter seas after their ships split into two, there are two teams who head out to rescue them. Only one was called in, the other, the radio was dead, and no distress call could go out.
The crew that headed out to rescue the men trapped were all volunteers, and none of them were sure that they were going to return safely, if at all. But they were not going to leave the men trapped on the ship to the sea.
I absolutely loved this story! It was not one that I had heard before, but it is one that I look forward to sharing with my boys! This book was engaging and one that will resonate with younger readers.
The crew that headed out to rescue the men trapped were all volunteers, and none of them were sure that they were going to return safely, if at all. But they were not going to leave the men trapped on the ship to the sea.
I absolutely loved this story! It was not one that I had heard before, but it is one that I look forward to sharing with my boys! This book was engaging and one that will resonate with younger readers.
September 20, 2020
A wonderful book for young readers ages 6-10. Older readers will enjoy it also. This is a chapter book that is part of a series. A true story about 4 men in the Coast Guard who brave a savage storm to rescue the crew of an oil tanker breaking up off shore in New England. This story is available on film for older readers. I have been a part of the Coast Guard family for over 30 years and it's nice to see them get good publicity for a younger reader. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 28, 2020
3.5
Great story of survival, of the amazing story of the Rescue of the sailors trapped on the Oil Tanker Pendleton which literally broke in half during a winter storm.
3rd, 4th and 5th grade readers who enjoy nonfiction, adventure, or survival stories will eat this up! Great addition to Elementary Library!
Thank you to Macmillan for the DRC. Available Dec 8, 2020
Great story of survival, of the amazing story of the Rescue of the sailors trapped on the Oil Tanker Pendleton which literally broke in half during a winter storm.
3rd, 4th and 5th grade readers who enjoy nonfiction, adventure, or survival stories will eat this up! Great addition to Elementary Library!
Thank you to Macmillan for the DRC. Available Dec 8, 2020
August 14, 2019
Rather dry - the movie wasn't great but it was better than this. Didn't even finish after the rescue was over.
May 9, 2021
3.25 stars, will give full review soon
December 13, 2021
Pretty hard to follow in the beginning in terms of who was on what part of the boat. Engaging read, but others in series are better.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews