The Bravest Man in the World

The Bravest Man in the World

<b>From master storyteller Patricia Polacco comes the tragic and beautiful story inspired by Wallace Hartley-the musician who played with his band to calm the passengers of the <i>Titanic </i>as the ship sank.</b><br><br>One afternoon, Jonathan Harker Weeks didn't feel like practicing the piano. So his grandfather decided to tell him a story to show how much of an impact music can have. When he was a child growing up poor in Ireland, his mother made sure he learned to play the fiddle, despite their challenges.<br> <br>After his mother passed away and he was on his own, Jonathan's grandfather fell asleep hiding in a mail sack and was taken to a ship. When he woke up, he realized he was on the <i>Titanic</i> on its maiden voyage, and it was there that he met Wallace Hartley and Mrs. Weeks, a kind man and woman who took him in. Then one night, the majestic ship hit an iceberg. He and Mrs. Weeks were put on a lifeboat-and Mr. Hartley and his band bravely continued to play to calm the crew and passengers.<br> <br>The story of Wallace Hartley is true and he is known throughout the world as a hero. The <i>New York Times </i>bestselling author and illustrator of <i>The Keeping Quilt</i> Patricia Polacco offers this stunning and heartbreaking picture book to celebrate the memory and bravery of a single man who used the power of music to comfort thousands of people during a catastrophic situation.