Shipwreck

Free verse pays tribute to a variety of famous shipwrecks in this straightforward work for budding marine archeologists. An introductory poem sets the tone, suggesting many circumstances in which a ship may sink: “a swirling storm,/ a rigid rock.” Proceeding nonchronologically, poems highlight a global range of ill-fated vessels, beginning with 1914’s Antarctic-bound Endurance and concluding with the USS Oriskany, sunk in 2006 to form the world’s largest artificial reef. Question-driven text boxes illuminate the disasters’ context. “Will you find hidden histories?” asks one: “There are over 3 million undiscovered shipwrecks in the world.” Laide’s lines frequently use alliteration to evoke maritime drama, describing “fearsome / skull and crossbones/ flapped over ferocious seas.” Saturated coloring and carefully inked detailing give Vélez Aguilera’s realistic full-bleed illustrations an absorbing quality, whether they’re depicting smudgy underwater mysteries or ships in a state of SOS. Back matter includes an author’s note. Ages 7–10. (Aug.)