Attacked at Sea by Michael J. Tougias

Attacked at Sea tells the harrowing story of surviving a U-Boat submarine attack in the early days of World War II.

Attacked at Sea: A True World War II Story of a Family’s Fight for Survival by Michael J. Tougias and Alison O’Leary.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-15

Raymond Downs and his wife Ina had grown up poor in Texas during the Great Depression. But Ray learned some mechanical skills with which he supported his growing family of three children: Terry, Lucile, and Raymond Jr. (better known as Sonny). When Ray was hired as an engine repairman for the United Fruit company, he saw his ticket to a better life once he’d served on the company plantations in South America. The whole family looked forward to an adventure, but once the novelty wore off (and once Terry was sent back to Texas for the sake of his schooling), they began longing for home. In time the company granted their request for a transfer and bought passage for the four Downses on the freighter Heredia, bound for New Orleans.

By then, however, the United States had been at war with Germany for almost a year, and German U-boats were known to prowl the Atlantic coast. Lately, they had even been spotted in the Gulf. When the Heredia stopped at Corpus Christi, Ray Downs begged the port authority to let the family disembark, but he was refused. A few nights later, on May 19, two German torpedoes struck the side of the Heredia and all four of the Downses were swept into the Gulf.

How they found each other, after surviving three days on the open sea, is the subject of this thrilling narrative, told largely from Sonny’s point of view. (Sonny was a major source for this narrative.) Faith plays a large part in the story, for although Ray was not particularly religious at the time, Ina saw her trust in the Lord rewarded after a tortuous ordeal. Eighty years removed from WWII, most of us don’t realize how close the War came to U.S. territory, and how history could have gone in another direction. National as well as personal fate was in the hands of the Lord.

Note: Attacked at Sea is a Young-Reader Edition of the authors’ So Close to Home: a True Story of an American Family’s Fight for Survival During World War II.

Consideration:

  • This nonfiction narrative is an excellent way to explore how people respond to extreme stress. How do you think you would handle being adrift at sea? What would be your source of strength?

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

  • Worldview/moral value: 4
  • Artistic/literary value: 4

Also at Redeemed Reader

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

FREE Bible Guide!

Get a guide to the Best Bibles for Children and Teens. Perfect for an Easter gift.

Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

We'd love to hear from you!

Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!

Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.

2 Comments

  1. Judy Pollock on March 3, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    I am wondering if there is any objectionable language in this book or profanity.

    • Janie Cheaney on March 4, 2021 at 6:14 am

      Judy, I believe there is one “hell.” I apologize for not noting language in the review, as I usually do.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.