Shipwreck Books for Kids: Great Lakes, Pacific Coast

If your young readers are fascinated by shipwrecks, mysterious vessels lost at sea, or daring underwater discoveries, this list of nonfiction shipwreck books for kids is the perfect place to dive in! As a former classroom teacher turned elementary librarian, I’ve gathered the best titles that turn historical shipwreck stories and famous shipwreck disasters into page-turning adventures packed with historical shipwreck facts and nautical terms kids can actually understand. Whether your students are exploring the history of shipwrecks research or just love thrilling Pacific, Columbia River, or Great Lakes shipwrecks disaster news, these engaging reads bring history for kids to life, one stormy voyage at a time.

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How This Shipwrecks Books List Was Inspired

Every year, I introduce my students to the use of primary source documents, such as maps, letters, and journals. My inspiration for this shipwreck study was first inspired by a visit to the area of the Washington coast where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean (see my list of books about cranberries that was inspired by this trip as well). In the tiny town of Ilwaco, I visited the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum and discovered an excellent map of shipwrecks that had happened in the treacherous waters near the Columbia bar, often known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. The museum also had a notebook filled with photographs, as well as artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks in the area. I bought all of the maps they had in their gift shop, then ordered more. My students were fascinated. Each chose an individual shipwreck to investigate.

Here’s a quick book talk about shipwreck books you could show to students before heading to the library. It might give them some ideas about books to check out.

My inspiration for adding the Great Lakes shipwrecks came from a recent trip to Michigan. There, at a fun store in Ishpeming, called Da Yoopers (yes, it really is a tourist trap, but a fun one) I spied a map of Lake Superior shipwrecks. That was my inspiration to order a shipwreck map for each of the Great Lakes. Here are the books to go along with our study. Enjoy perusing the list!

Great Lakes Shipwrecks Book: Lower Elementary

It’s difficult to locate shipwreck books for younger students , but here’s what I found:

The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell by Kathy-Jo Wargin

A moving, beautifully illustrated retelling of the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior. The lyrical text honors the sailors lost and helps young readers understand this famous maritime disaster with sensitivity.

Recommended age: Grades K-4 (ages 4–8)

Great Lakes Shipwrecks (Pogo Books: Famous Shipwrecks) by Michelle Parkin

A short, easy-to-read introduction to famous Great Lakes shipwrecks with photos, simple facts, and clear text designed for young readers. Great for early research projects or sparking interest in maritime history.

Recommended age: Grades 1–3 (ages 6–8)

Great Lakes Shipwrecks Books: Upper Elementary

There are more choices for upper elementary students, including these titles:

Great Lakes Shipwrecks (Hidden History) by Melissa Rae Shofner

This nonfiction title dives deeper into lesser-known Great Lakes shipwrecks, explaining the mysteries, discoveries, and historical context behind them. It’s ideal for curious upper elementary readers.

Recommended age: Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12)

Death’s Door: True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery, and Bravery from the Great Lakes’ Most Dangerous Waters by Barbara M. Joosse

A compelling collection of true stories about sailors, storms, and heroism in the treacherous waters between Door County and Washington Island, Wisconsin. Written in a graphic novel style that brings the history to life.

Recommended age: Grades 5–8 (ages 10–13)

Uncovering Great Lakes Shipwrecks by Kathryn Wesgate

A fascinating regional title highlighting real Great Lakes shipwrecks, underwater archaeology, and ongoing discoveries. Ideal for readers interested in both history and science.

Recommended age: Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12)

Pacific and Columbia River Shipwrecks Books: Lower Elementary

Unfortunately, there are not many books that have been written about shipwrecks in this region for kids. Here’s the one book I located:

Pacific Ocean Shipwrecks (Pogo Books: Famous Shipwrecks) by Michelle Parkin

Part of the same beginner series, this book explores real shipwrecks that occurred in the vast Pacific Ocean. It explains what caused them and what divers have discovered since, with bright visuals and simple explanations. This book is kind of difficult to find, so if you see it on Thriftbooks, you might want to snap it up!

Recommended age: Grades 1–3 (ages 6–8)

General Interest Shipwreck Books: Upper Elementary

I was able to find a number of titles relating to shipwrecks in general. These books are great additions to a general shipwreck study.

Anatomy of a Shipwreck by Sean McCollum

A fascinating look at how shipwrecks happen, what causes them, and how scientists and historians investigate them. Includes photos, diagrams, and modern examples.

Recommended age: Grades 4–7 (ages 9–13)

The 12 Worst Shipwrecks of All Time by Joan Axelrod-Contrada

A high-interest, fast-paced nonfiction book that counts down some of history’s most devastating shipwrecks—from the Titanic to lesser-known tragedies—packed with dramatic facts and survival stories.

Recommended age: Grades 4–7 (ages 9–13)

Lost at Sea! Shipwrecks: The Incredible Stories of the World’s Most Famous Shipwrecks by Ben Hubbard

Engaging storytelling and eye-catching visuals bring famous shipwrecks to life—from ancient vessels to modern maritime disasters. Great for middle-grade readers who love real-life adventure.

Recommended age: Grades 4–8 (ages 9–14)

Shipwreck by Richard Platt

A detailed, richly illustrated Dorling Kindersley (DK) book exploring the science, history, and human drama behind shipwrecks. Includes cutaway diagrams and stories of famous wrecks.

Recommended age: Grades 4–7 (ages 9–13)

Shipwrecks by David Spence

Part of the “History of” series, this classic title presents shipwrecks through vivid photos, artifacts, and concise factual explanations. Excellent for visual learners.

Recommended age: Grades 4–8 (ages 9–14)

Discovering Titanic: Searching for the Stories Behind the Shipwreck by Ben Hubbard

A well-balanced mix of historical detail and human interest stories about the Titanic’s passengers, crew, and rediscovery under the sea. A good fit for students exploring the human side of history. ***There are many, many books for upper elementary students about the Titanic. I have Titanic sections in each of the library collections where I work.

Recommended age: Grades 4–7 (ages 9–13)

Shipwrecks (100 Things You Should Know About…) by Fiona Macdonald

This engaging nonfiction book packs in 100 fascinating facts about famous shipwrecks, underwater exploration, and maritime history. It includes colorful illustrations, quick facts, and quizzes that keep kids turning pages. Great for curious readers who enjoy browsing nonfiction!

Recommended age: Grades 3–6 (ages 8–12)

Shipwrecks (Treasure Hunters) (Ignite: Treasure Hunters) by Nick Hunter

An exciting look at shipwrecks from the perspective of treasure hunting! Readers learn about lost gold, sunken ships, and the science divers use to locate and recover artifacts. The text is clear and well-supported with photos and sidebars.

Recommended age: Grades 4–7 (ages 9–13)

Exploring for Shipwrecks (Watts Library) by K.C. Smith

This educational title takes readers behind the scenes of underwater archaeology—how explorers search for, map, and protect shipwrecks. It blends history, technology, and environmental awareness, making it a great fit for STEM connections.

Recommended age: Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12)

Shipwrecks: Exploring Sunken Cities Beneath the Sea by Mary M. Cerullo

An immersive, photo-rich look at underwater archaeology and the discoveries that reveal what life was like long ago. Cerullo’s writing style is clear and engaging, helping readers see how science brings history to light beneath the waves.

Recommended age: Grades 5–8 (ages 10–13)

Exploring Shipwrecks by Peter Rowlands and Keith Morris

Filled with stunning underwater photography, this book shows readers what it’s like to dive among real shipwrecks around the world. It discusses the tools, techniques, and teamwork divers use to safely explore these historic sites.

Recommended age: Grades 5–8 (ages 10–13)

Play Shipwreck Bingo

Help students learn shipwreck and nautical vocabulary terms by playing shipwreck bingo. This free virtual bingo template may be played using Google Slides. This activity can be part of a fire safety study unit. Make your own copy, then replace the free images and words with shipwreck images and vocabulary, then reuse the template as many times as you like.

It’s fully customizable when you make your own copy and includes a teacher page, too!

Get my free virtual bingo board!

More Resources for Readers

The best way to encourage a love of reading is to provide kids with many opportunities to engage with a wide variety of books that are of interest to them. At Book and Tech Tips I want to make it easy for you to find great books kids will love. Over the years I’ve also discovered some helpful tools for connecting kids and books.

Online digital libraries are one very handy way to do this. Epic! is one of my favorite online libraries. It’s full of over 25,000 books, learning videos, quizzes and more for kids 12 and under…and it’s free for educators. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Another great free digital library is ReadingIQ. It’s also free for educators and has a wide selection of titles.

If you download the free Libby app, you can access many digital audiobooks from your public library. Audiobooks are perfect for car trips!

Looking for a book that is out of print? Try searching Thriftbooks online. There are over 13 million titles available.

Looking for More Book Ideas?

If you enjoyed this list of books, you might like these other book lists as well:

Have a wonderful week, and may you have many exciting history adventures when reading books about shipwrecks!

Lisa Mitchell is a former classroom teacher, now a school librarian, who likes to use her job as an excuse to stay up far too late reading books and noodling around with tech tools. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the About page.