Reading Metrics
Description
On a hot February night in 1890, the British East India passenger liner "Quetta" struck an uncharted rock in Torres Strait and sank in three minutes. Over 150 men, women and children died, but among the survivors was an unidentified baby girl.
Quick Summary
Quetta tells the true story of a British passenger liner that hit an uncharted rock in the Torres Strait in 1890 and sank in just three minutes, killing over 150 people. What makes this short nonfiction stand out is the mystery of the one survivor: an unidentified baby girl who was pulled from the wreckage alive, sparking a search for her identity that feels like a real-life detective story. It's perfect for readers who love quick, high-stakes history, kids who enjoy a good mystery, or even reluctant readers who want a book they can finish in one sitting, because the story moves fast and the chapters are short. Parents will appreciate that the narrative stays age-appropriate there's sadness, but it's handled with sensitivity and doesn't linger on graphic details. As you read, you'll follow the frantic rescue attempts, the quiet moments on the rescue boat, and the efforts of officials to figure out who the baby was and where she came from, without giving away every twist. If you've ever enjoyed the fast-paced, real-event storytelling of the "I Survived" series, Quetta offers the same punch in an even shorter format, making it a great choice for middle-grade kids who want a gripping story without a huge time commitment.