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Luck of the Titanic

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
May 04, 2021 | Young Adult Historical Fiction 
ISBN 9781524740986

Luck of the Titanic

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes the richly imagined story of Valora and Jamie Luck, twin British-Chinese acrobats traveling aboard the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Valora Luck has two things: a ticket for the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind and making a life for herself as a circus performer in New York. Much to her surprise though, she’s turned away at the gangway; apparently, Chinese aren’t allowed into America.

But Val has to get on that ship. Her twin brother Jamie, who has spent two long years at sea, is there, as is an influential circus owner, whom Val hopes to audition for. Thankfully, there’s not much a trained acrobat like Val can’t overcome when she puts her mind to it.

As a stowaway, Val should keep her head down and stay out of sight. But the clock is ticking and she has just seven days as the ship makes its way across the Atlantic to find Jamie, perform for the circus owner, and convince him to help get them both into America.

Then one night the unthinkable happens, and suddenly Val’s dreams of a new life are crushed under the weight of the only thing that matters: survival.

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The Buzz
“This is the kind of book I absolutely love. Heroism and heartbreaking tragedy, seen through the eyes of those who have been left off the pages of our history books.”
JAMIE FORDNew York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
“Stacey Lee has done it again—taken a fascinating slice of history and transformed it into a story lush with heart, heartache, and hope. This is the Titanic story you need.”
Marie Lu#1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter
“Stacey Lee’s super power is her ability to turn history’s forgotten into today’s unforgettable; you’ll never forget the terror and joy of traveling with Valora Luck, whose unsinkable spirit gleams like a rescue flare through the icy murk of the past.”
Elizabeth WeinNew York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity
“Masterfully explores themes of privilege, prejudice, and what it means to save someone. This book will make you fall in love and then fall to pieces.”
Stephanie GarberNew York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
“With LUCK OF THE TITANIC Stacey Lee has crafted one of my favorite kinds of historical reads; it's a story that’s as thrilling as it is atmospheric, and as joyful as it is heartbreaking. A masterful, gripping tale for the ages.”
Kerri Maniscalco#1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Kingdom of the Wicked series
“A thrilling historical page-turner—both funny and heartbreaking. Inspired by the moving story of the Chinese passengers on the Titanic who have been forgotten by history. But not anymore thanks to Stacey. A must-read!”
Melissa de la CruzNew York Times bestselling author of Alex & Eliza
“Hope, heroism, and heartache collide in an unforgettable story, suffused with love.”
Julie BerryPrintz Honor-Winning author of The Lovely War
“With a plot as tense as a walk on a tightrope and a wily heroine you’ll cheer on till the very end, LUCK OF THE TITANIC is historical fiction at its most thrilling.”
Laura RubyTwo-Time National Book Award Finalist and author of Bone Gap
“Stacey has breathed new life and love into this iconic voyage, with all the hopes, fears and complexities of an immigrant journey. I will never forget the courageous Valora Luck.”
Abigail Hing WenNew York Times bestselling author of Loveboat, Taipei
“LUCK OF THE TITANIC stayed with me, long after I finished the last line. Beautifully written, funny, and incredibly heartbreaking, every single character is expertly drawn and memorizing. By the time the iceberg hits, I was terrified for every single one of them and rightly so—Stacey Lee never lets you forget the true cost of Titanic’s fate. A sublime read.”
Isabel IbanezAuthor of Woven in Midnight

Kirkus Reviews

“Issues of racial and class discrimination are seamlessly woven into the story… Her wit and pluck give the story such buoyancy… Anticipation of the inevitable adds a layer of tension to the narrative… A gem from start to bittersweet finish.” 

Publisher's Weekly

“Lee deftly sketches a compassionate cast and immerses readers in the ship’s architecture and socially stratified atmosphere, sustaining suspense throughout by foreshadowing the disaster to come. A finely crafted historical exploration of identity, class, and family that resonates through the present.”

Starred Review
Starred Review

School Library Journal

“With a compassionate, strong heroine and a diverse cast, this is an exciting, important retelling of the Titanic tragedy.”

Booklist

“Lee’s conversational style adds a freshness to the historical frame and achieves a thrilling balance between hope and anguish through budding romances and humor amid the looming tragedy.”

Starred Review
Starred Review

School Library Connection

“[Lee’s] writing draws the reader into this ‘night to remember’… Devastating.”

Starred Review

Awards, Honors & Praise

2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books List
2022 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults List
Tayshas 2022 Reading List (TEXAS)
2021 Golden Poppy Award

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Educational Resources

A Discussion Guide to the Works of Stacey Lee

Discussion questions for all of Stacey Lee’s historical fiction from Penguin Random House.

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