Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood is a gripping, fast-paced historical novel in verse that captures the intense, emotional journey of two young evacuees during World War II. The story follows Bess Walder, a courageous girl fleeing the bombings of East London with her younger brother, Louis, on the SS City of Benares, heading to Canada for safety. Along the way, Bess befriends Beth Cummings, another evacuee, and together, they form a bond that will prove essential when disaster strikes.

The novel takes a harrowing turn when a Nazi U-boat torpedoes the ship, and Bess and Beth must survive the unthinkable. As their lifeboat capsizes and they spend hours adrift in the cold Atlantic Ocean, the tension and desperation are palpable. Hood's choice of verse lends the story a rhythmic, urgent pace, which enhances the survival theme and draws readers into the perilous situation.

While Lifeboat 5 provides an emotionally charged and intense narrative, the brief inclusion of Louis's point of view feels somewhat extraneous. Though it doesn't detract significantly from the story, the focus on Bess and Beth would have been stronger without the shift to Louis's perspective. However, the novel serves as a compelling read for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in World War II survival stories. It leaves readers eager to dive into Lifeboat 12 for additional context and depth.

In this follow up to Lifeboat 12 readers follow the journey of Bess and Beth as they evacuate London on the SS City of Benares. On the way to Canada the ship is struck by a Nazi torpedo and the girls are left stranded, clinging to an overturned lifeboat in the middle of the Atlantic awaiting rescue.

Book contains an excellent resource list in the back for any student or adult who wants to find out more about the SS City of Benares and the people on the ship.

In this companion to LIFEBOAT 12, Susan Hood tells the story of two girls onboard a ship leaving England for safety in Canada during WWII. Beth and Bess become quick friends during the journey. After the ship is torpedoed by a German U-boat, the girls must do their best to survive against all odds as they await rescue in the middle of the ocean. The novel in verse based on true events and people is a quick and riveting read that speaks to the power of the bonds of friendship amidst hardship and challenge.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.

A companion novel to Lifeboat 12, Hood's verse novel Lifeboat 5 tells the story of two girls named Elizabeth (nicknamed Bess and Beth) who survive because of the bond of their friendship formed on their evacuee ship during the dark days of World War II. When the Nazis torpedo their boat, it is the strength and encouragement that they give each other that enables them to survive 19 hours in the North Atlantic.

This book is a tragedy in that the lives of so many were lost, but it is also a testament to faith and strength of the human mind. Yes, it was sad, but it was also an uplifting read in the girls' determination to live. Definitely a 5-star read that will be a great addition to my shelves. Aside from the emotional burden of the true story, there are no content warnings for teachers seeking clean reads for their classroom libraries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fans of Lifeboat 12 (which I count myself among) will love this new story about a different lifeboat and the real life people who clung to it for hours. Set during WWII when English children were being sent to safer homes while the cities of England were bombed every night. It was so scary, that parents sent their children as far away as Canada and South Africa to live with distant family or sometimes people they didn't know at all. Some of these ships were also targeted by German submarines and The City of Benares was one of those ships. Join two girls who've just met and will need to depend on each other to survive when their ship is hit by a torpedo in the night. Since it's called Lifeboat 5, I don't feel like I've given anything surprising away.

Lifeboat 5 is a novel in verse that continues Susan Hood's exploration of the bombing of the Children's Ship. This book follows several other children and their fight to survive. This book will appeal to a wide range of middle school students who want to learn more about this devastating event.

Lifeboat 5 is a great companion novel to Lifeboat 12. I love that it can be read as a standalone, but readers who already read Lifeboat 12 will enjoy returning to that “world.”

Including the Sea as a character was a nice addition that sets this novel apart from the first. I appreciate that it’s also a novel in verse because it gives reluctant readers another entry way into historical fiction. I will definitely be adding a copy to my classroom library.

Lifeboat 5 is an absolutely beautiful novel-in-verse about survival, friendship, and hope. Bess needs to evacuate England and is sent to Canada, along with her brother, via the SS City of Benares. Just when they think they are save, a German U-boat torpedoes the liner. Bess, and her new best friend Beth, must stay together against all odds to survive. Must add book to any middle school and high school library,

Loved this book just as much as Lifeboat 12! I can't wait to share this novel in verse with my students this fall.

This was an intense book! I love historical fiction and this is an excellent addition to the genre! After reading Lifeboat 12, I wanted to learn more about this haunting event. This book portrays friendship and survival during the World War II on a different lifeboat than 12. I was whisked back to the trials of travel during the war with German submarines on the prowl. I loved that it was not in prose because it seemed more like the person was really conveying the story to me. I would recommend this book for all historical fiction fans!

Susan Hood does an incredible job telling the story of two young girls, Bess and Beth, who survive when their evacuation ship is torpedoed during WWII. Readers will not be able to put down this exciting, suspenseful, and heartfelt book. They will instantly be drawn to the characters, their background stories, and their hope for the future. Once the ship is hit by a torpedo, the intensity of the book will keep readers turning pages to see how the story ends. I love how the back pages are full of photos and facts so readers can learn even more. Perfect for 5th grade readers and beyond!

I absolutely loved Lifeboat 12, so I was eager to read Lifeboat 5. What a treasure! Another incredible story (based on true events following the torpedoed British ship), with beautiful, evocative writing that really paints a picture. A powerful novel in verse.

This novel-in-verse companion to Lifeboat 12 is a beautiful testament to our need for connection in order to survive. Another incredible story of survival featuring two girls who were escaping the London Blitz to Canada on the ship City of Benares, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat a week after sailing. This story is tragic, but hopeful and uplifting. It never felt too scary or heavy, though it was clear that the girls truly saved each other by holding on to one another, both literally and figuratively. The power of friendship, especially between these two girls who had been bullied and ostracized by schoolmates, was able to overcome the hardships they faced.

This is a great addition to Susan Hood’s growing catalog of WWII stories told in verse.
I appreciate the variety of poetry used in this book on particular. I can see much potential in using this and her other books for reading groups in a poetry unit.
Well done!

If Susan Hood writes it, I’m reading it. This was a solid return to the history behind the sinking of the SS City of Benares children’s ship. The story is just as devastating as that in Lifeboat 12, but I feel the predecessor was more riveting. The courage and resilience of Bess and Beth is both unfathomable and inspiring. These true stories of survival under horrific circumstances are so necessary for all of us. I believe that my students who love Lifeboat 12 will be eager for this companion novel.

I love historical fiction and this did not disappoint. I will be ordering this for my library as my students love books about historical events. Bonus that it's written in verse!

I loved Lifeboat 12 and was thrilled to see this was coming out!
I enjoyed Lifeboat 5 just as much!
Such a great novel in verse!
Started out with a fantastic opening and did a great job conveying emotion and the danger in the lyrical way.

@shoodbooks21 is an absolute master of words, and in this case, free verse. Lifeboat 5 shares another tragic story from the ship that was filled with children fleeing the bombs of London to a safer space in Canada. When the Nazis torpedoed the ship, there was little time to seek refuge. Bess and Beth, who felt like sisters from the moment they met, clung to hope while stranded on a capsized lifeboat. When will they be saved? Will it be too late? Will the ocean’s brutality win? Read Lifeboat 5 when it is released October 8!

Based on true events and real people, Bess and her brother, Louis, are evacuated during WWII and are on a ship to Canada. They get separated but Bess meets Beth, and they become friends. When the ship is torpedoed, Bess and Beth head to the lifeboats. Bess wonders where her brother is. The ship sinking and the waves makes their lifeboat sink, and the girls cling to each other. Just when Bess thinks they won’t survive another night, a ship rescues them. Will Bess find her brother?

Kids who loved Lifeboat 12 will LOVE this companion book! Written in verse, this story shows the power of friendship and perseverance.