The Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound

by Sandy Nelson

Why is Savo Sound known as Iron Bottom Sound?
Paddy, a young New Zealand schoolboy, becomes so obsessed with a book about the wrecks of warships sunk in World War Two battles at Guadalcanal that he’s lucky not to be killed in a traffic accident. His parents ban him from reading the book.
But Paddy can still hear the voices of men who died during the Battle of Savo Island, one of the battles depicted in the book. He is horrified . . . and fascinated. Whose voices are they? Why are they reaching out to him? Are they dangerous? Gradually he realizes that some of voices are Australian, like his grandfather. His grandfather had served in HMAS Canberra, an Australian ship sunk in the battle. While Paddy’s Grandfather survived, they didn’t . . . and cannot rest.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sandy Nelson lives in Twizel, where she is a busy school teacher and mother. With a fascination for history and respect for those who fought for peace, she has researched the Battle of Savo Island and corresponded with a survivor to bring authenticity to her writing. Sandy has not yet decided if she believes in ghosts.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent]

11 yr old Paddy is hearing voices in his head – but only since he first took out a particular book from the library. A book about the Battle of Savo Island and Iron Bottom Sound. Walking home from the library, totally immersed in the book as he walked, he is nearly struck by a car.

His parents are upset, banning him from taking the book out again. But the ghosts are urging Paddy on. What do they want?

Paddy learns his granddad had served on the HMAS Canberra which features in the book, and the ghosts want Paddy to talk to him about it. His Mum warns that Grandad has never spoken of it and not to expect too much, but he finally opens up to Paddy. Paddy finally knows what the ghosts want...

Perfect for students interested in battleships or sea battles – but also for readers who enjoy stories about family. Ideal for ANZAC Day studies. This was a wonderfully moving story about a not well known battle.

[Lucy]

I have been reading many WWII books lately but they have been for adults. I have several grandchildren and wished there was a book to educate them on the war but on their level. A friend gave me this one and I read it front to back over 2 days. I was rewarded with a new knowledge of what transpired of the coast of Guadalcanal. The book held my attention and I am sure my pre-teen grandchildren will be fascinated. In addition to being a war novel, the book also deals with the topic of death in ones own family. Sandy Nelson has chosen two of the most difficult topics to write about and in my opinion she handles them beautifully. I only wish this book were available on Amazon as it is currently only available in New Zealand (as far as I could determine). I hope Ms. Nelson will continue to write books to inspire our youth to read and to learn about the world around them.

[Beth Montgomery]

If you are interested in WW2 history then this might be one book you'd enjoy. Paddy is obsessed with a book on shipwrecks in the Pacific from WW2. The book appears to haunt him but he can't walk away from what the ghosts want him to do. I found the 'ghosts in the head' technique a bit unsettling, as if Paddy was going crazy. But Paddy's Grandpa's journal account of what happened on the HMAS Canberra in the Battle for Savo Island was riveting.

[Adrielle]

This is a kids book. It is well written and the historical account (written as a survivors diary) is interesting. I quite like the fact that Nelson pays tribute to the soldiers in a battle that is not well known. It's touching.