Earthquake Terror

by Peg Kehret

Overview

When Jonathan and his family go camping on Magpie Island, they look forward to a fun, relaxing weekend. But their fun quickly vanishes when Jonathan, his sister, Abby, and their dog, Moose, find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster. A devastating earthquake has hit, destroying their camper, knocking out the only bridge to the mainland, and leaving Jonathan, Abby, and their dog with no food, water, or shelter. Alone in the woods, can Jonathan manage to keep calm and save Abby and Moose—and stay alive himself?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780140383430
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/01/1998
Series:	Puffin Novel Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	47,563
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.69(h) x 0.43(d)
Lexile:	690L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Peg Kehret was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Minnesota, spent fourteen years in California, and now lives with her husband in Washington State. They have two grown children, four grandchildren, one dog, and one cat.

Peg's novels for children 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. Peg's characters are ordinary kids who find themselves in exciting situations and who use their wits to solve their problems. There is usually humor as well as suspense in her books. A long-time volunteer at The Humane Society, she often uses animals in her stories.

Before she began writing books for children, Peg published plays, short stories, articles, and two books for adults. She is a frequent speaker at conferences for librarians and teachers.

At the age of twelve, Peg had polio and was paralyzed from the neck down. Because she can remember that experience and her year of recovery so vividly, she finds it easy to write in the viewpoint of a twelve or thirteen year old. Most of her main characters are that age. Her autobiography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, won the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, and the PEN Center USA West Award for Children's Literature.

When she is not writing, Peg likes to watch baseball, bake cookies, and pump her old player piano.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a great adventure story and both boys and girls. There is also good information about earthquakes with is very interesting. Family unity is certainly focused on and how everyone needs to work together. "—Children's Literature

"The tautly written story sustains the suspense without ever becoming melodramatic. "—School Library Journal 

From the Publisher

Gr 4-6-On a family camping trip to a deserted island, Jonathan's mother is injured. The 12-year-old volunteers to stay alone with his 6-year-old physically disabled sister so their parents can get to the hospital as quickly as possible. What should have been only an afternoon's inconvenience turns into a deadly situation when an earthquake strikes, destroying the camping area and threatening to flood the entire island. With no food, supplies, or means of contacting help, Jonathan must find a way to save Abby and himself. The tautly written story sustains the suspense without ever becoming melodramatic. 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.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

School Library Journal