Spradlin, Michael. Into The Killing Seas. New York: Scholastic Press, 2015. 978-0545726023.

Summary

Patrick and his brother Teddy just want one thing: to get back to the Philippines where they last saw their parents. In order to accomplish this they sneak onto the U.S.S. Indianapolis with the help of a U.S. Marine named Benny. However, things go horribly wrong when the U.S.S. Indianapolis is attacked and sinks. Patrick, Teddy, and Benny are crammed onto a wooden pallet waiting for rescue but the pallet is slowly coming apart, either due to water or sharks taking a big bite out of it. Can they hold on long enough to be rescued, or will they become a snack for the sharks that are circling?

Impressions

Into the Killing Seas breaks every stigma commonly attached to historical fiction. The action starts right away and never pauses for more than a few pages at a time. The backstory of how Patrick and Teddy got separated from their parents is filled in bit by bit which I think really helps to keep the story moving along and younger readers interested in what is happening. While sharks are certainly the biggest threat to the group on the raft, it is not the only threat they have to deal with. Lack of water, hunger, and the dementia that other survivors are falling into due to the heat, dehydration, and injuries they are dealing with are some of the other challenges that lay ahead for Patrick, Teddy and Benny when the U.S.S. Indianapolis sinks. For me the most shocking part was the twist at the end after they are rescued. It makes you want to read the entire book again for any clues that the twist might be coming. Into the Killing Seas is an engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Further Info

Into the Killing Seas is meant for upper elementary school and lower middle school readers, but it truly can be enjoyed by all. It would be perfect on any display about survival, World War II, wars, military or shark attacks. There are a number of talking points in this book, so it would also make a great book group title. This is one of sixteen titles chosen by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library for their Cafe Book program for middle schoolers for the 2015-2016 school year.

If you liked Into the Killing Seas by Michael Spradlin try Surrounded by Sharks by Michael Northrop, Beneath by Roland Smith and Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow.

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