What This Book Is About
Everyone knows the story of the Titanic. Almost nobody knows the story of the ship that came for its survivors. On the night of 14 April 1912 the RMS Carpathia, a small liner, picked up Titanic's distress call. Captain Arthur Rostron turned his ship around, put every spare drop of steam into the engines and ran into an ice field in the dark to reach people he had never met.
The Carpathia rescued 705 of them. Flora Delargy tells the night from that side, in full-page illustrations, and explains along the way how Morse code works, how a ship is navigated and what each member of the crew was doing. It is non-fiction that reads like a thriller, and it is the first book in the Hidden Histories series.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For A2-level readers (Grade 3), Rescuing Titanic is an outstanding choice for three reasons.
First, it's non-fiction that feels like an adventure story. Many young readers shy away from non-fiction, but this book's dramatic narrative and stunning illustrations pull them in before they realize they're learning real history. Building comfort with non-fiction early is essential for international school success.
Second, the book reframes a famous tragedy as a story of heroism and compassion. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, it celebrates what went right—ordinary people choosing to help strangers at great personal risk. This aligns perfectly with UWC's values of service and courage.
Third, the visual storytelling supports A2 readers beautifully. The illustrations carry much of the narrative weight, allowing children to understand complex events even when some vocabulary is new, making it an ideal bridge between picture books and text-heavy non-fiction.
Reading Level Guide
Building toward this book. The illustrations help, but some vocabulary may be challenging. Try with a parent first.
Perfect difficulty. The illustrations support the text beautifully, making the history accessible and exciting.
A comfortable read. Enjoy the stunning artwork, then explore longer non-fiction for more depth.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.