Death's Door
True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery, and Bravery from the Great Lakes’ Most Dangerous Waters
Written by Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by Renée Graef
An award-winning author-illustrator team relates dramatic moments from Great Lakes maritime history in a stunning graphic-novel style.
48 pages, 7 x 10, 116 color illus.
Paperback: $14.95 | ISBN: 978-1-9766-0015-9
Ebook: $9.99 | ISBN: 978-1-9766-0016-6
Publication Date: 10/17/2023
Reading Level: Ages 8–11
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Description
Throughout the centuries, the waters of the Great Lakes—sometimes treacherous, always awe-inspiring—have been the setting for dramatic tales of devastating storms, tragic accidents, mysterious disappearances, and heroic moments. One dangerous stretch of water near Lake Michigan’s western shore known as “Death’s Door” has seen more than its fair share. This beautifully illustrated graphic-nonfiction book explores historic tales of Death's Door that will amaze and fascinate.
Geared to children ages 8–11, Death's Door examines five extraordinary true incidents spanning four centuries: a 17th-century fur trading crew, an 18th-century Potawatomi trading party, a mail carrier and a shipbuilding family from the 19th century, and an early 20th-century basketball team. The narrator is Death’s Door itself, who wonders why people insist on crossing its treacherous waters, concluding it is “because they are human. Ambitious and restless . . . but loving too.”
An informative afterword provides insight into the author’s sources and features archival images and additional historical details about each of the stories.
Barbara Joosse
Author Bio
Barbara Joosse is an award-winning author of more than fifty books for children. She lives on the shores of Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Renee Graef
Illustrator Bio
Renée Graef is an award-winning illustrator of more than eighty books for children. Joosse and Graef’s previous collaborations include The Fishermen, the Horse, and the Sea (WHS Press), Everybody’s Tree, and Lulu & Rocky in Milwaukee. Graef also illustrated the WHS Press book Sport: Ship Dog of the Great Lakes. Graef lives in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
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Death's Door
True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery, and Bravery from the Great Lakes’ Most Dangerous Waters
Written By Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by Renée Graef
48 pages, 7 x 10, 116 color illustrations, ages 8–11
To purchase a copy, follow the links below or visit your favorite bookseller.
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