Subject
Lifesaving -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Robert Shaler
The Boy Scouts of the Life Saving Crew
"The Boy Scouts of the Life Saving Crew" by Robert Shaler is a children's adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a group of young Boy Scouts who engage in various rescue missions and encounters with danger while they're on vacation in Florida. The main characters, Alec Sands, Billy Worth, and Chester Brownell, showcase bravery, teamwork, and resourcefulness as they navigate challenges that arise during their vacation. At the start of the narrative, the boys are on their way to Santario, a town on the Florida coast, where they are visiting Alec's family. During their journey, they encounter a girl in distress on a railway trestle; a freight train approaches, and she is unable to get off the trestle in time. The Scouts spring into action to rescue her, displaying quick thinking and courage as they set off in pursuit, with one Scout risking his safety to ensure her well-being. This opening sets the stage for their adventures and establishes themes of bravery and the importance of the Boy Scout ideals as they engage in life-saving missions throughout their stay.
Francis Rolt-Wheeler
The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers
"The Boy With the U.S. Life-Savers" by Francis Rolt-Wheeler is a children’s adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Eric Swift, a young volunteer in the U.S. Life-Saving Corps, who engages in thrilling rescues along the coast, highlighting themes of bravery and teamwork. The narrative focuses on his experience, camaraderie with fellow lifesavers, and his aspirations to join the Coast Guard, emphasizing both action and the importance of swimming and safety at sea. The opening of the book sets the stage for Eric's daring endeavors as he responds to a distress call on a moonlit beach, illustrating the tense and exhilarating nature of life-saving efforts. The reader is introduced to the immediacy of rescue, as Eric and his companions navigate the rough sea to save a drowning man, showcasing their training, quick thinking, and resilience. As they perform artificial respiration on the rescued individual, discussions about various life-saving techniques reveal the characters' dedication and the educational aspects of the narrative, creating a vivid picture of life-saving missions that combine excitement, heroism, and valuable lessons in water safety.
Unknown
Fighting the Sea; Or, Winter at the Life-Saving Station
"Fighting the Sea; Or, Winter at the Life-Saving Station" by Edward A. Rand is a fictional work written in the late 19th century. The story explores the lives of characters associated with a life-saving station on the coast, highlighting their interactions, challenges, and the heroic nature of their work amidst a harsh winter. Central to this narrative is Walter Plympton, a sixteen-year-old boy who becomes involved with the life-saving service and the men who dedicate themselves to rescuing those in peril at sea. The opening of the book introduces several key characters and sets the stage for the central themes of courage and community. It begins with a dramatic scene where a man is stuck on a church steeple without a ladder, prompting his grandson, Cyrus, to seek help from his grandfather, Zebulon Smith, who is a boat-builder. The narrative quickly shifts to Walter Plympton, who is portrayed as a curious and ambitious youth with a vivid imagination and a desire to learn about the life-saving station. As the story unfolds, the reader is immersed in the everyday lives of those at the station, setting the tone for a tale filled with adventure, moral responsibility, and the spirit of self-sacrifice against the backdrop of the sea.
James Otis
The Life Savers: A story of the United States life-saving service
"The Life Savers: A Story of the United States Life-Saving Service" by James Otis is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book details the origins and operations of the United States Life-Saving Service, focusing on the brave individuals who risk their lives to save others from shipwrecks along the American coast. The opening of the book introduces the beginnings of the Life-Saving Service, illustrating its evolution from a small voluntary group in the late 18th century to a more organized service by the late 19th century. It highlights significant figures, including Captain Sumner I. Kimball, who played a crucial role in reforming and empowering the service, leading to improved protocols and success in rescuing those in peril at sea. The narrative shifts to a specific event where a life-saving crew prepares for a potential rescue during a fierce winter storm, anticipating the imminent wreck of a large ship, showcasing the tension and urgency of their mission.
Frank V. Webster
Darry the Life Saver; Or, The Heroes of the Coast
"Darry the Life Saver; Or, The Heroes of the Coast" by Frank V. Webster is a novel written in the early 20th century. This adventurous tale centers around Darry, a young cabin boy who survives a shipwreck in a fierce storm and finds himself at the mercy of the sea's dangers. As he navigates his complicated identity and newfound relationships, the story unfolds to reveal themes of bravery, friendship, and the desire for belonging. The opening of the book sets the stage for a gripping adventure as Darry is aboard the brigantine "Falcon" when a hurricane strikes, leaving the ship helplessly adrift. Through a desperate struggle for survival while lashed to a portion of the ship, Darry's determination is evident. Following the shipwreck, he is rescued by a life-saving crew who embolden his aspiration to become a life saver himself. The chapter introduces key characters, including Captain Harley, who has served as a guardian to Darry, and hints at future conflicts with local bullies, such as Jim Dilks. The foundation is laid for a tale of resilience and aspirations against the backdrop of coastal heroism.
R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
The Lifeboat
"The Lifeboat" by R. M. Ballantyne is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story opens with a vivid depiction of a bustling, gritty London neighborhood, introducing a variety of characters, including shipowners and sailors. The central character, John Bax, is a young sailor entrusted with commanding the ship "Nancy," which is in poor condition, setting the stage for impending challenges at sea. The opening of the novel introduces us to the modest street of Redwharf Lane and the tense interactions between Mr. Denham, the owner of the "Nancy," and young Bax regarding the ship's seaworthiness. Bax is adamant about the ship needing repairs, but Denham dismisses his concerns. Meanwhile, Bax is preparing for a journey to Liverpool while also grappling with the challenging dynamics at the office. The stage is gradually set for a dramatic encounter at sea, foreshadowing themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the impending dangers that the characters will face aboard the ill-fated vessel.
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