Escaping the Giant Wave (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?..." (more)
Key Phrases: summer goals, tsunami warning, dog sandwich, Totem Pole Inn, Fisher Beach, Frontier Lodge (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-An earthquake, followed by a tsunami, hits the Oregon coast where 13-year-old Kyle is vacationing with his family. His parents are on a yacht, celebrating his realtor father's Salesman of the Year award, and Kyle must get his eight-year-old sister out of their burning hotel and up the hill, away from the beach. As they escape, he also saves the life of a bully who has tormented him since grade school. Later, after seeing Daren for the lying coward he is, Kyle stands up to him, ending the abusive behavior. Kyle's self-image is transformed through his experience with the tsunami and the bully. While this is a satisfying read for victims of bullying, it is unremarkable in plot and style. One character does stand out, Kyle's sister, BeeBee, a financial whiz who follows the stock market and names her teddy bear after Bill Gates. A bibliography of books, Web sites, a video, and pamphlets about tsunamis is included.
Laurie von Mehren, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"When most people hear 'large-print book,' they immediately think senior citizen. But large-print editions of popular children's books -- from the powerhouse Harry Potter series to timeless classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -- are now making their way onto the shelves of the Children's Department at the Canton Library. . . . Although large-print editions are targeted to the visually-impaired or dyslexic child, they can also be used by standard-vision readers. So Kershner [Children's librarian at the Canton Public Library] has decided against creating a special section in the Children's Department (as exists in the Adult Department) opting instead to intersperse large-print books on the shelves with the regular print versions of the same titles."
-- The Observer and Eccentric (October 2000) (The Observer and Eccentric )

"Thorndike Press has helped me not only find books I want to read, but they also look like regular books. That's important when you're a kid and you can only read Large Print, you want your book to look like all the other books. I'm reading a lot more now that we have found Thorndike Press."
-- Jim Bernardin, Islamorada, FL

"Everyone loves to read, there's nothing like curling up with a good book. We're a reading family, so when our son was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease and only able to read Large Print, it was particularly difficult. Books on tape are wonderful but they don't fill the void of actually reading a good story. Large Print books have been around a long time for older people, but to find a good novel for a young person in Large Print began to feel nearly impossible. The books that Thorndike Press publishes have truly made a difference in my son's reading life. He can enjoy current novels as well as some of the classics that he missed reading when it became too difficult with regular print."
-- Sara Bernardin, Islamorada, FL --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (August 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689852738
• ISBN-13: 978-0689852732
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,758 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Escaping the Giant Wave, May 16, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Escaping the Giant Wave (Hardcover)

If you want to read an exciting book about two kids running for their lives this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Escaping the Giant Wave is an adventure fiction book by Peg Kehret. This book takes place on Kyle Davidson's summer break at the Totem Pole Inn is Northwest Oregon.

In the beginning of this book Kyle's parents won a trip to the coast of Oregon. Next Kyle and his sister, Bee-Bee, witnessed a tsunami while their parents were out on a dinner cruise. Would they be safe alone? Would their parents ever find them? You HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK ro find out what happens to Kyle and Bee-Bee.

The theme of this story is be alert to signs. They are put there for a reason. This book reminded me of the big tsunami that hit Thailand 1 1/2 years ago. Boys and girls who are 4th-5th grade would love this book!

M.H. in Annapolis

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!, August 5, 2004

By	Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Katy, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escaping the Giant Wave (Hardcover)

Peg Kehret has written many wonderful books and she is well known for her "disaster" books. This is one of the best books Kehret has ever written. I could not put it down. Kyle Davidson is winding up his 6th grade year when his father wins a vacation to Oregon. the family is excited about staying on the beautiful Oregon coast in a luxury hotel. When they arrive, they find the accommodations are not what they expected. Still the beach is beautiful and Kyle and his sister BeeBee are enjoying their stay until bully Daren Hazelton and his family arrive. The reader knows as the family reads the warning sign about tsunamis that they are going to be running for their lives before the book is over. His sister BeeBee is a great character. Terrific and exciting read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who will escape fast enough?, April 1, 2007

A Kid's Review

A thirteen-year old boy named Kyle thought spending a vacation along the Oregon Coast with his family would be a great experience. He'd never flown before and he'd never seen the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Kyle's perfect vacation becomes his worst nightmare while he's baby-siting his six-year old sister Bee Bee. An earthquake hits the coast and starts an enourmous fire in his hotel he's staying in. While fighting his way smoke and flame, Kyle had remembered seeing a sign on the beach that stated....After an earthquake everyone should go uphill and inland, as far from the ocean as possible. Tsunamis' giant waves that often follow through earthquakes can ride in from the sea and engulf anyone who doesn't escape fast enough!