Earthquake Terror (Hardcover)

by Peg Kehret (Author) "The deserted campground seemed eerie, like a ghost town..." (more)
Key Phrases: earth shuddered, chocolate cupcake, Magpie Island, Tuscan River, National Guard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 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
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4^-7. Prolific author Kehret has a well-deserved reputation for writing good, solid thrillers for middle-graders. Even if the premise is a bit shaky (would parents really leave their children alone on a remote island?) and the ending disappoints just a bit, her latest is no exception. It pits a resourceful 12-year-old against the elements and has him come out on top. Jonathan doesn't think that taking care of his disabled 6-year-old sister, Abby, while his father rushes his mother to a hospital for a broken ankle will be too problematic--until nature intervenes. An earthquake rocks the tiny island where the children are staying, destroying the bridge to the mainland as well as the family's supplies and Abby's walker. Even more frightening is Jonathan's discovery that the quake has caused a nearby river to change its course: water is now rapidly flooding the tiny island. It will be a rare thriller fan who won't want to see what happens. Stephanie Zvirin

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525652264
• ISBN-13: 978-0525652267
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #883,579 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 Earthquake terror, November 3, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Earthquake Terror (Puffin Novel) (Paperback)

The book starts on a hot summer day on Magpie island when Jonathan 's mom breaks her ankle. So Jonathan's dad takes his mom to the hospital and leaves Jonathan and his sister Abby and the dog on the island. Then the earthquake hits breaking the bridge to the city, smashing the home, and making the river flood over the island. So Jonathan puts his sister, and his dog, and him on two trees that had fallen from the earthquake and floated to the city and was taken to the hospital.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Magpie Island Mania, October 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Earthquake Terror (Puffin Novel) (Paperback)

Earthquake Terror by Peg Keheret is probably the best fiction book I have ever read so far. I liked it most because ig is very dramatic, and the part when they figure out that Magpie Island, the island that the Palmers are camping on, is about to have an earthquake! When the earthquake is over, they discover the island is sinking. what will the kids do? Mean while, their parents are trapped in a car, and they don't know how to get out.
The palmers son, Jonathon, who is my favorite charachtor, is very creative with his decisions. He knows how to get off of the island, but he dosen't know if it will work. But why he can't just swim off of the island is what I don'tunderstand. But Abby, Jonathon's disable sittle sister can't swim, but she allways complains, which becomes very annoying. And when Jonathon is eating lunch in the hospital, he has an average lunch, but it felt like a royal lunch because he hadn't eaten in days. It was a great book, I never wanted to stop reading it, and that's why I'm writing a review on it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother nature isn't always on your side...., February 21, 2005

By	Faithless - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earthquake Terror (Puffin Novel) (Paperback)

During a camping trip, Jonathan and his sister, Abby, are put into a surpring situation that turns for the worst. The two children find themselves fighting for survival after a devastating earthquake hits. Alone, they must learn to survive and overcome their greatest fears.

Man vs. Nature

I read this book around maybe two or three years ago, but it still sticks in my mind as entertaining and great. If your into nature disasters, pick this book up.