VVMBookBlog

Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor & the Merrimac by Avi

Avi is a prolific writer. I once listened to him speak at a convention. He is dyslexic and had difficulties with reading in school. Maybe this is what makes him an incredible author. He wants his books to be entertaining, something people will enjoy reading. His latest book, Iron Thunder, is historical fiction set during the Civil War.

Thomas is the main character. His father has recently died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Although he is only 13, he must take care of his family (mother and sister). He is forced to find work. Because he is small for his age and smart, he is given a job building the Monitor, an iron ship. Most people are making fun of this concept because few, if any, think that an iron ship will float. This is a secretive job because the North doesn’t want the South to know that they are building this ship (or at least they don’t want any details given to the south).

Although Thomas is working, he is only making 75 cents a week. A man offers him a dollar a week if he will share information about the boat. This is a difficult decision because he would make more than twice what he is making now, but he would be “ratting” out the North to the South. Since his father died for the North, he takes the dollar the first time he sees this man, but he doesn’t supply the man with information. Later the man will come back to get the information for which he has paid. Danger will come to him and perhaps his family.

This book is a fast-paced account of the building of the ship and the battle that follows. It is also a story of a teenager who makes tough decisions in a difficult time. Although this book is fiction, Avi researched the events to bring history to life.