Healthy coral reefs support a variety of sea life. But as pollution damages and endangers these reefs, the species that rely on them to flourish are also in peril. Scientists looking for ways to protect reef fish off the coast of Florida decide to sink a decommissioned aircraft carrier in hopes of creating an artificial reef. First, the USS Oriskany, also known as “The Mighty O,” must be cleaned of all traces of oil and fuel. “Cables and wires are severed, the interior gutted, toxic paint scrubbed away.” Then tug boats pull it out to sea, explosives are wired into place, and the countdown begins: “5 4 3 2 1 KABOOM!” It takes 37 minutes for the ship to disappear, descending to the ocean floor, where it becomes host to life and haven for creatures of the sea. “Carried by the current, sea squirt, mollusk, and octocoral larvae land on the Mighty O. … Eagle rays glide through steel caverns. Urchins parade across the former flight deck. … The Mighty O serves on, solid and stationary, transformed into the GREAT CARRIER REEF.” More about reefs, this fascinating and ingenious project involving more than 150 people, and the USS Oriskany is included in the end matter. (Ages 7-10)

An outstanding STEM picture book documenting the transformation of an aircraft carrier that was gutted and turned into the world’s largest artificial reef.

What happens when something designed to be unsinkable gets bombed to the bottom of the ocean floor? With careful preparation, new life can take root!

This incredible story brings young readers along on the journey of the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany—the Mighty O—as it gets stripped down to a steel shell for a new life below the waves.

After 25 years of service, launching more aircraft than any other carrier of its time, the ship found a new mission as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida. The Mighty O was prepped and reefed by a team of more than 150 scientists, engineers, and technicians. Today, it is home to a flourishing variety of marine animals.

Designed to encourage regrowth and protect vulnerable marine life, artificial reefs are a crucial tool in the fight against overfishing, pollution, and warming water temperatures. Extensive back matter reveals more about the Mighty O’s history, the diseases eating away at the world’s natural reef systems, and the role artificial reefs play under the sea, and budding marine biologists will love poring over the exquisite illustrations.

Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.


A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Science Friday Best Science Book For Kids
An ALA Top 10 Sustainability Themed Children's Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
A CCBC Choices Book