Titanic: 100 Years Later

Most of you may already know that April 15th was the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic.  In honor of this historic event, why not stop by the library and reflect upon this moment in time through one of our displays of Titanic books and reproduced memorabilia?  Adult books and materials are on display in the library lobby and children's and teen books are on display in the children's room in the cube display located next to the Puett Room.  There is also another display on the 2nd floor next to the adult reference desk that highlights new adult titles, which also includes a bibliography of these new books.

Here's some of my favorite Titanic books for youth:
Titanic Sinks! by Barry Denenberg (for ages 8 & up)
This recently published book (2011) presents the true story of the building and launching of the Titanic and offers a "you are there" feeling when the steamship struck an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage.

Inside the Titanic (A Giant Cutaway Book) by Ken Marschall (for ages 6 & up)

Cut-away illustrations feature stories of real-life children who sailed aboard the Titanic on the night of its disaster in the North Atlantic.  I could look at the illustrations of this book for hours, as it's so enthralling to study each room displayed on the ship.

Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, R.M.S. Titanic, 1912  by Ellen Emerson White (ages 8 & up)
From the Dear America Series, Margaret Ann describes in her diary how she leaves her lonely life in a London orphanage to become a companion to a wealthy American woman, sails on the Titanic, and experiences its sinking.  This is a wonderful historical fiction read for chapter book readers that has enough simplicity without being too overly detailed.

And on my reading list: The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolf (for ages 12 & up)

Told through multiple voices, this recreated fictionalized accound of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as it is observed by millionaire John Jacob Astor, a beautiful young Lebanese refugee finding first love, "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, Captain E.J. Smith, and others including the iceberg itself.   

Here's some of my favorite Titanic books for adult readers:
The Last Dinner on the Titanic by Rick Archbold

This offers an on-board tour with fascinating descriptions and anecdotes, archival photographs and memorabilia, and a host of evocative period paintings and illustrations, complete with directions for hosting a Titanic-themed dinner.

Lost Liners by Robert D. Ballard
This coffetable style book contains a great number of illustrations and paintings.  It's worth taking a browse through.

And on my reading list: The Dressmaker: A Novel by Kate Alcott

A historical fiction book about a spirited young dressmaker who survives the sinking of the Titanic only to find herself embroiled in the tumultuous aftermath of the tragedy.