The Wreck of the Essex: The Story of Thomas Nickerson

Here is a classic adventure story sure to capture the attention of the most reluctant reader. Fourteen year old Thomas Nickerson stands aboard the whaling ship Essex and scans the Pacific Ocean. Somewhere beneath the surface lurks Maximus, the sperm whale that killed his father. Suddenly the whale charges and destroys the ship. Thus begins the odyssey of Thomas Nickerson and the Essex crew, adrift in battered whaleboats thousands of miles from land. As they battle starvation and storms, Tom makes surprising discoveries about courage, hope, and the power of friendship. This is the historical fiction version of the true incident that inspired the bestseller, In the Heart of the Sea and Revenge of the Whale, both written by Nathaniel Philbrick. It is perfect for young readers, ages 8-12. Great introduction to the reading of Moby Dick. For those who enjoy survival stories such as Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and the Endurance, The Wreck of the Essex will not disappoint. The courage of the men of the Essex rivals that of Ernest Shackleton's as told in the book Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.