A list of recommended nonfiction books for kids on the Titanic by an elementary school librarian
Inspired by the fact that the Grade 3s at my work have all simultaneously become obsessed with all things Titanic.
Early Readers
Three simple accounts of the sinking of the Titanic and the discovery of its remains many years later.
Titanic by Caryn Jenner
Titanic by Melissa Stewart
The Titanic: Lost… and Found by Judy Donnelly
Short Nonfiction
These books have more text than an early reader, but still have relatively simple and short text and lots of images.
Aboard the Titanic by John Son – A book about the passengers aboard the Titanic. The book also includes features on the non-white passengers which are usually overlooked in retellings of the fateful voyage.
Rediscovering the Titanic by Michael Burgan – A book about how the Titanic was found and what we have learned about it from revisiting the ship.
Four Days on the Titanic by Laura McClure Anastasia – Information about what it was like to be a passenger aboard the Titanic before things went wrong.
You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Titanic! by David Stewart – A short, highly illustrated book looking at the many reasons why being a passenger on the Titanic would suck.
Titanic by Sean Callery – Similar to DK’s Eyewitness series, but written with simpler text for a younger audience. The book is image heavy with shorter text, making it perfect for reluctant readers or beginning readers wanting to challenge themselves.
Titanic by Meika Hashimoto – A graphic novel for younger readers all about the Titanic. It will be published on June 23, 2026.
Middle Grade Books
Books for reading with younger readers or for older readers to explore on their own.
Rescuing Titanic by Flora Delargy – A look at the Titanic disaster from the point of view of how the survivors were rescued.
882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic by Hugh Brewster – A highly illustrated book answering various common questions kids have about the doomed ship and its untimely end.
Titanic by Simon Adams – A book in the beloved Eyewitness nonfiction series. It’s image-heavy, and though it has lots of text, it’s often broken down into smaller chunks, so this is a particularly good book for reluctant readers.
The Titanic by Kate Messner – A book in the History Smashers series that focuses on “smashing” the myths and misconceptions regarding the famous ship and its sinking. It’s more text-heavy but with plenty of images throughout.
Just as a addition to your middle grade readers suggestions, I would recommend Exploring the Titanic, Robert Ballard’s book about how he discovered the Titanic for younger readers.
Oooh, good to know! Thanks for the addition!
No problems
