April 1, 2002
Gr 1-3-One of the original life-saving stations along North Carolina's Outer Banks, Pea Island Station had the first all African-American crew. On October 11, 1896, Keeper Richard Etheridge and six surfmen rescued all of the passengers and crew from the E. S. Newman, which had run aground in a storm. It was not until 1996 that the heroes were acknowledged and awarded gold medals from President Clinton and Admiral Kramek of the U.S. Coast Guard. This skillfully written story tells the tale of that fateful night through the eyes of 10-year-old Sam Deal. The text and evocative, full-color watercolor artwork give life to a long-forgotten and exciting sea rescue. The careful research authenticates the events and honors the African Americans, and an afterword explains their historical importance. A page-turner for newly independent readers.- Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2002
Sam admires the surfmen--all African Americans--who work at the United States Life-Saving Service on Pea Island, off the North Carolina coast. During the 1896 shipwreck of the "E. S. Newman, " Sam and his horse assist the surfmen in bringing the survivors to shore. Illustrated with adequate artwork, this slow-to-start story seems created solely for the purpose of introducing readers to the historical Pea Island station.
(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)