Miracle: The True Story of the Wreck of the Sea Venture

by Gail Langer Karwoski, John MacDonald (Illustrator)

In the summer of 1609 a fleet of nine ships left England bound for the Jamestown Colony. Days before landfall, the fleet was hit by a hurricane. Four nights later, the flagship, Sea Venture, ran aground on the reefs on Bermuda's northern coast. Miraculously everyone survived. This is their story.Describes how the crew of the Sea Venture survived a five-day hurricane at sea and being shipwrecked on the "haunted" Bermuda Islands.

Genres: History, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Gail Langer Karwoski writes historical novels and nonfiction for kids in grades 3-9, as well as “green” picture books. Curiosity inspires her choice of topics and research helps her books grow. Her titles have won lots of awards and are enjoyed in classrooms and libraries around the country.

Recently, she has added books for grownups to her bibliography. She wrote a memoir for two remarkable gay friends, who succeeded, against the odds, in getting married in 1971, decades before gay marriage was legal in the U.S. It’s called The Wedding Heard ‘Round the World; America’s First Gay Marriage.

She is now at work on a cozy mystery series that features a group of funny and energetic older women who paint watercolors. Book One of the Watercolor Mysteries is A Brush With Murder. Book two is Skeleton in the Art Closet. Reading them is like going on an adventure with delightful, quirky friends.

When she isn’t clicking away on her keyboard, you can find this former teacher visiting schools and libraries. Gail’s lively programs inspire kids to read, discover, and write. She often talks with book clubs and about her lighthearted mysteries. She lives near Athens, Georgia, with her university-professor husband and extroverted cat. Gail has 2 grownup daughters and the cutest grandchildren on Planet Earth.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, quick read about the Sea Venture. (Helped with discussion in the 'big kid' class too!) Neat little side-notes that were pretty fascinating!

[Keshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information but read more like a textbook to me than an adventure story.

[Debra Diggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good for a children's story.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this aloud to dd and thought it was a nice addition to her studies of early colonial life.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Topics for family sharing: preparedness / personal sacrifice / honor / duty / obedience / emigration / early American history

[Julier · Rating 4 out of 5]

17th century-bermuda triangle-Jamestown settlers-seawreck-includes: Contents, Bibliog., Index. [Junior Library Guild Selection]