Iron Thunder: The Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avi. 2007. IRON THUNDER: THE BATTLE OF THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC. Illus. by C.B. Mordan. New York, NY: Hyperion Books For Children. ISBN 9781423104469.

PLOT SUMMARY
A historical fiction account of the building of the iron battle ship the Monitor through the eyes of a thirteen year old boy named Tom. He goes to work in the New York navy shipyard when his father is killed in the war as a way to earn money for his family. Spies are trying to get information on this iron ship, also called "Ericsson's Folly" named after the captain John Ericsson. Some called it the "iron coffin" because no one believes it can float, much less fight the opponent, the Merrimac. Tom walks a fine line between avoiding the spies and wondering if the ship will be built in time to go into battle against the Confederate sea monster, the Merrimac.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Avi spins a believable story about Thomas Carroll and his family. Background information is given as to the reason for his need to be employed. A description of their living conditions and a sick sister lends credence to him finding a full time job to make money for his family. The author uses nine well placed full page newspaper headlines from the actual pages of the New York Times, NY Herald, The Philadelphia Enquirer, and the Tri-Weekly Telegraph to convey what was happening during April 13, 1861 and March 11, 1862. The headlines are effective in their brevity such as "The Surrender of Fort Henry to Union Gunboats". The reader can quickly read the progression of the war and continue on with the story about Tom and the building of the Monitor.

Tom is skeptical of the captain and his ideas for this iron boat. He keeps his opinion to himself and also hides the fact that spies are trying to gain information about him. Avi writes of the angst Tom feels about revealing that spies are after him. He is genuinely afraid and when he secures a permanent place to live in the shipyard while the Monitor is being built there is a sense of relief. Children have fears and being bullied is one of them. Avi uses this part of the story to show how Tom handled the spies and came up with a solution to stay safe. Tom's worries of the boat going into battle turn into pride as he is an eye witness to an historical battle.

Avi uses actual photographs to show the the Monitor officers, the telescope, the turret and a butter dish with gold lettering used by the officers. Old maps enhance the author's description to pinpoint the location for readers who may not be familiar with the area. An explanation of the way the toilets work would delight young readers, especially when Avi writes of a sailor who didn't use the valves correctly and was blown off the seat!

C.B. Mordan's block prints are beautiful in their simplicity. The only color is black and white, which lends credence to the actual old photographs also used in the book.

The book doesn't end with the story. Avi provides a glossary of terms, the author's note, what happened to the Monitor and a bibliography. A quote that made a lasting impression was, "The more who witness a fact - the less certain the fact becomes". Avi was referring to the thousands who watched the battle and told their account. He tells the reader that he had to be a detective doing research for this book. It was also important that he reminds the reader that the facts would be disputed by those who were on the opposing battleship - the Merrimac.

PERSONAL OPINION
This was a fascinating tale to read. This historical event being told through the eyes of a young boy comes to life. I liked the information listed after the story to learn about Avi's research and the rescue efforts to bring up the turret from the ocean floor. Readers of this book will come away with more information about the boat and actual battle than if they read it in a history book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal
"Early in 1862, 13-year-old Tom Carroll must go to work when his father is killed in a Maryland battle. He finds a job at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he is put to work on "Ericsson's Folly," the ironclad that will become the Monitor. He works closely with Captain Ericsson and becomes fascinated with this odd "raft." The floating battery is scoffed at by many, but the "Copperheads," Northerners who sympathize with the Southern cause, are distinctly interested. Tom is approached by Confederate spies but cleverly escapes them with the help of his friends. To stay clear of these dangerous men, he moves onboard the Monitor and lives there until its completion. Tom is an eyewitness to history as the ship travels to join the Union blockade fleet and enters into its fateful battle with the Merrimac. He takes pride in the vessel, and his part in her construction is evident in his firsthand telling of the story. Factual information and historical terms are woven smoothly into the narrative. Period photographs, engravings, and newspaper headlines are strategically placed throughout the text to further bring history to life. A glossary provides added clarity, and an author's note explains that although Tom Carroll really existed, the boy in this story is a compilation of several people on the ship and the author's imagination. This exciting, fast-paced historical adventure will add a bit of drama to Civil War units. Even reluctant readers will appreciate it."

From Booklist
"Decked out with the appurtenances of nonfiction—maps, a resource list (leaning toward upper-level titles), and a generous array of contemporary prints for illustrations—Avi's historical novel views the construction of the Monitor and the ensuing epochal battle with its Confederate rival through the eyes of an actual but fictionalized crew member. Narrating in a clipped style that speeds the tale along nicely, 13-year-old Tom describes meetings with the Monitor's inventor, John Ericsson, and other historical figures; run-ins with "Copperhead" spies; the dangerous sea voyage from New York to the Union blockade; the exciting climactic fight; and the brief, ill-fated later careers of both ironclads."

CONNECTIONS
Students could choose one of the books listed in the bibliography to do additional research on the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac.

As a science lesson students could learn how an iron ship weighing several thousands pounds could be made to float. (older grades)

Teacher could lead a group discussion on ways Tom could have handled the spies who were trying to bribe him to reveal information about the Monitor.

Students Who Liked This Book Might Like:

Avi. Crispin: AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. ISBN 9780786851522

Avi. THE SEER OF SHADOWS. ISBN 9780060000158

Sappey, Maureen Stack. DREAMS OF SHIPS, DREAMS OF JULIA; AT SEA WITH THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC - VIRGINIA 1862 (Young American Series).
ISBN 9781572491342