The suspenseful, little-known true story of two determined pioneers who made the first dive into the deep ocean. On June 6, 1930, engineer Otis Barton and explorer Will Beebe dove into the ocean inside a hollow metal ball of their own invention called the Bathysphere.
The suspenseful, little-known true story of two determined pioneers who made the first dive into the deep ocean.
On June 6, 1930, engineer Otis Barton and explorer Will Beebe dove into the ocean inside a hollow metal ball of their own invention called the Bathysphere.
They knew dozens of things might go wrong. A tiny leak could shoot pressurized water straight through the men like bullets! A single spark could cause their oxygen tanks to explode! No one had ever dived lower than a few hundred feet…and come back. But Otis and Will were determined to become the first people to see what the deep ocean looks like.
This suspenseful story from acclaimed author Barb Rosenstock with mesmerizing watercolors by award-winning artist Katherine Roy will put you right in the middle of the spine-tingling, record-setting journey down, down into the deep.
Barb Rosenstock often pretends to live in the past, although she’s thankful for indoor plumbing, the Internet and instant cocoa. She resides outside Chicago with her husband, sons and two big poodles, who keep her sane (or insane) depending on the day. Barb loves true stories best and enjoys sharing her passion for writing at school visits. Learn more about Barb here.
* “Rosenstock’s masterful pacing as the tank is submerged leaves us nearly breathless…. Roy’s fluid watercolors and dramatic perspectives capture the heart-pounding emotion of the scientists’ dangerous journey.” ―Horn Book
“[A] tribute to the power of curiosity, imagination, and ambition.”―Publishers Weekly
“This is a true science adventure story…an outstanding work of nonfiction.” ―School Library Journal
“This is a true adventure tale par excellence, tautly plotted, nail-bitingly told, and splendidly illuminated in the illustrations by Roy, from the detailed tinkering on deck, to the claustrophobic innards of the Bathysphere, to the exotic never-before-seen life forms that crossed the searchlight.”―BCCB
“The text brings in all the excitement and fear of the preparations and the dive itself. The illustrations…go perfectly with the text in conveying the anticipation of the dive, the darkness as they go deeper, and the fear as some unexpected things happen…. This would be an excellent book for read aloud.”―School Library Connection
“Rosenstock and Roy’s collaboration celebrates scientific teamwork and an exciting first in deep-sea exploration.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“A book worth discovering…. A remarkable first that young readers will want to explore.”―Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes
“A little-known true story…[with] engaging watercolor illustrations.”―The Washington Post
“Meticulous research underpins everything with fascinating detail and sometimes terrifying drama, inextricably intertwined in this tribute to STEM, teamwork, and the ‘last frontier on earth.'” ―The San Francisco Chronicle
