Broken Pieces: An Orphan of the Halifax Explosion (Compass: True Stories for Kids)

One hundred years ago, on December 6, 1917, the French munitions ship Mont Blanc collided with the Belgian relief vessel Imo in the Halifax Harbour. At first, a small fire broke out aboard the Mont Blanc, which grew bigger crowds of people and emergency responders linded the shores of Halifax and Dartmouth to get a better look. Suddenly, the Mont Blanc's explosive cargo blew up, flattening homes and businesses, and triggering a tsunami.

Amid the confusion and devastation that followed the blast was fourteen-year-old Barbara Orr, who had been walking from her neighbourhood in Richmond to a friend's house. Follow Barbara as she navigates post-explosion Halifax, learning about rescue efforts, the kindness of strangers, and the bravery of heroes like Vincent Coleman along the way.

Part of the popular Compass series, this full-colour non-fiction book includes highlighted glossary terms, informative sidebars, over 50 illustrations and historical photographs, a detailed index, and recommended further reading. In commemoration of the tragic event's 100th anniversary, Broken Pieces is a great resource for young readers and educators.

Allson Lawlor's work has appeared in the Globe and Mail and several magazines. After working as a reporter for newspapers in Ontario, Allison returned in 2003 to Nova Scotia, where she had previously attended the University of King's College. She is the author of several non-fiction books for adults, and this is her first book for children. Allison lives in Prospect, Nova Scotia, with her husband, two daughters, and several animals.