Earthquake Terror Lib/E

Review Jonathan is a sympathetic and realistic character. His sensitive response to Abby's fears is mature but never unbelievable. This exciting tale is a fine choice for most collections.-- "School Library Journal"Prolific author Kehret has a well-deserved reputation for writing good, solid thrillers for middle-graders...It will be a rare thriller fan who won't want to see what happens.-- "Booklist"The accessible, dramatic survival story explores themes of responsibility and bravery, and the fast pace will keep readers turning the pages.-- "Horn Book" Product Description From the beginning, Jonathan is spooked by the deserted island where his family is camping-and his premonitions come true.The family is looking forward to a fun, relaxing stay on Magpie Island, but when Jonathan's mother breaks her ankle, Jonathan and his younger sister, Abby, are left alone with just their dog, Moose. Then a devastating earthquake hits. The bridge is destroyed, the trailer is smashed, and there's no food or water. Suddenly, Jonathan and Abby are fighting for their lives. From School Library Journal Gr 5-7-Jonathan and his family are the only campers on Magpie Island, and the deserted grounds make Jonathan ill at ease. Soon after they arrive, his mother slips and injures her ankle. Jonathan offers to stay at the campground with his six-year old physically handicapped sister so his parents can get to the hospital quickly. Just after they leave, a devastating earthquake strikes, destroying Abby's walker, the camper, and the only bridge off the island. The island quickly floods, and the children and their loyal dog are stranded without supplies. Throughout his ordeal, Jonathan displays the patience, courage, and tenacity of one far older than 12, facing each new crisis with resolve. Youngsters may find it hard to comprehend how the family could be so out of touch, but Peg Kehret wrote this story (Puffin, 1998) before cell phones became a necessity. How Jonathan manages to save himself and his nearly helpless sister is a tense tale, and the danger increases with each chapter. Charles Carroll's reading, although clear and precise, doesn't aptly convey the story's tone of suspense and danger. Still, fans of adventure novels will be delighted as the youngsters battle to stay alive.-MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. About the Author Peg Kehret's novels for children, which usually contain both humor and suspense, are regularly recommended by the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, and the Children's Book Council. She has won many state young reader or children's choice awards. Before she began writing books for children, she published plays, short stories, articles, and two books for adults. Kehret is a frequent speaker at conferences for librarians and teachers.Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.