Earthquake Terror

I really have no idea why any publisher would allow a book to get published with such a corny title, Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret. I just cringe when I see those titles. At least you have a very good idea about what might happen in the book. And there are certainly those kids who are WAY into earthquakes and hurricanes and anything tornadic or volcanic! Those kids won't have to search too far. I just prefer titles like Hatchet where there is some mystery.

Earthquake Terror is a contemporary realistic fiction novel and 2000 Caudill Nominee with more adventure than it knows what to do with. Jonathan Palmer and his family are camping on Magpie Island on a Tuesday when the trails and beaches are free from other campers. The reason that the Palmers do this is because they have a six-year-old, Abby, whose legs are partially paralyzed. She uses a walker to help strengthen her legs, but it slows her, and hence the family, way down.

Jonathan loves his little sister, but everyone's life changed when she suffered an accident that left her disabled. Jonathan still wants to run free and play and be wild, but that's hard to do when your only playmate on a camping trip is your paralyzed little sister. He's a great, big brother. He's extremely patient for his age. He has dealt with the difficulties and rewards of being the brother of a disabled girl for four years, but the camping trip is a whole new ball game.

Jonathan's mother breaks her ankle at the end of a hike to the beach. And it was a long hike due to Abby. Had they been at home, they could have called an ambulance or drove her to the hospital. Because they are on an island, camping, and far from the campsite, they have no vehicle, no phone, and no easy way back to the camper. In order to get Mrs. Palmer to an emergency room as quickly as possible, the two adults leave Jonathan to help get Abby back to the camper at her own pace. They trust him to take care of his sister because he does such a fine job at home.

This might be enough of a struggle for the kids, but not enough for an adventure story. You can guess from the title what happens next ... EARTHQUAKE! In the ensuing chaos, Abby's walker gets destroyed, the family's camper gets smashed, and they lose their supplies. Not only that, but it appears that the island is sinking into the water and the bridge that connects the island to the mainland has also been taken out by the earthquake. To make matters worse, Jonathan and Abby have no proof that their parents made it back to safety, are aware of the situation, and can send for help as quickly as the children need.

The story seems rather predictable and a tad unbelievable, but the younger kids seem to love its action-packed suspense. If Abby is a bit of a whiner, we can forgive her because she is young and scared. I would recommend this to 3rd & 4th graders who love to read and older reluctant readers as well.