Lifeboat 5

Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood is a poignant narrative published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2024. This edition presents a story based on the real-life experiences of British evacuees Bess Walder and Beth Cummings, who endured a harrowing fourteen hours in the North Atlantic after their lifeboat was overturned following a Nazi torpedo attack on the SS City of Benares in 1940.

Readers will find a gripping exploration of survival and friendship as the two young girls cling to each other in the face of adversity. The book delves into themes of shipwreck survival and the evacuation of civilians during World War II, providing historical context through notes included in the text. This novel in verse captures the emotional and physical challenges faced by the characters, offering insight into their resilience and the bonds formed in dire circumstances.