Review by Booklist Review
Few things are more haunting than a shipwreck. Shaded in blue and frozen like a corpse, the ribbed remains of doomed vessels have an ability to conjure the fear of dying passengers as well as nature's domination over humans. Cerullo takes partial advantage of these elements by zeroing in on two wrecks: the Henrietta Marie, sunk in 1700 near the Florida Keys, and the Portland, sunk in 1898 off the coast of Massachusetts. The book makes the convincing case that these wrecks are important not only for historical reasons but also for the underwater ecosystems their structures now host. Though the pictures and descriptions of sea life are reasonably well done, the dramas of the sinkings are the real hook. The 1972 examination of the Henrietta Marie reveals a dark secret, the discovery of shackles almost 200 slaves had perished with the ship. Meanwhile, the luxury liner Portland is brought to life with a photo of fine china resting unbroken on the ocean floor. With echoes of Titanic, this delivers both education and shivers.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Stunning images of undersea life including sunken ships, tropical fish, and marine exploration highlight this diverse work packed with information ranging from the discovery of the sunken slave ship Henrietta Marie to discussions of the wondrous array of sea life that makes its home within such wreckage. Cerullo describes the assortment of knowledge and technologies employed by oceanographers such as side-scan sonar and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicle), and shows how ocean currents aid in their search for hidden treasures. One such treasure discussed is the immense, Victorian-style wooden steamship Portland that sank off the coast of Massachusetts on November 26, 1898. The work culminates with an insightful discussion of how readers can get involved in the preservation of these environmental sanctuaries. Combining well-captioned photos, bold text, and a fluid narrative covering a range of ocean life from manatees to zooxanthellae (one-celled algae living in the tissues of reef-building corals), Cerullo has produced a unique look into these underwater communities. Interesting topics, detailed sidebars, and eye-catching photos will draw in readers with an interest in ocean life.-Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
