There was a fierce debate in Year 5 over which theme to choose, but Natural Disasters topped the poll.
First, I have chosen The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll, – a fight for survival against torrential flooding and local superstition from the Queen of Historical Fiction. Based on the flood of 1607, it was very unnerving to read it at my parent’s home, over looking the Bristol Channel, which would have been hit by the tidal wave over four centuries ago.
A sinking boat . . .
A girl in disguise . . .
A disappearing sea . . .
When Fortune Sharpe carves a boat from a tree with her beloved brother, Gem, she’s only having a bit of fun. But now is not the time for a girl to be drawing attention to herself. She is sent away to find work dressed as a boy. Luckily a rich manor house is hiring. Yet Barrow Hall’s inhabitants harbour dangerous secrets of their own, the suspicious owner is hunting for witches, and the house itself is a little too close to the sea …
Next, I have chosen The Key To Finding Jack by Ewa Jozefkowicz, which features a deadly earthquake in Peru. Featuring a story within a story and a mystery to solve, The Key to Finding Jack, is about sacrifice and courage, the riches of family, friendship and the power of living life to the full.
Twelve-year-old Flick adores Jack and loves solving puzzles with him. But Jack is soon to flee the family nest and Flick worries she’ll lose her partner in crime. During his gap year in Peru, tragedy strikes when an earthquake devastates the region and no one knows what has happened to Jack. Flick and her family are thrown into the horrible unknown.
She finds a key on a fine gold chain and a note with the initials SF in his room, and clings to the hope that SF (whoever that is) might hold the clue to finding her brother. When she sets out to uncover the identity of its owner, she meets new friends, rekindles a special relationship and discovers a whole new side to Jack. Intriguing clues from a legend about Inca gold, to a key with magical powers help her along the way.
I’ve also chosen a picture book to appeal to all ages; Stranded! A Mostly True Story From Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson, illustrated by Anne Wilson. Based on a true story, the author humorously recounts the time his grandfather got stranded with a friend on Surtsey, a brand new volcanic island in Iceland.
The adventurers face epic challenges like molten lava, melted eyeglasses and scant supplies before finally getting rescued. Graphic novel-like layouts and spirited text invite readers to search for the one thing that’s not actually true in this thrilling yet light-hearted tale of adventure. Information about volcanoes, Icelandic culture and Norse mythology are included at the end of the book.
And finally, I couldn’t do natural disasters without including one of my all time favourite books to read out loud; Going To The Volcano by Andy Stantin, illustrated by Miguel Ordonez. Buckle up and jump on board for the one of the funniest, most EXPLOSIVE picture books ever printed – you’ll want to read it again and again-o!
Join two intrepid explorers as they take a train-o, jump on a plane-o, ride a Great Dane-o (down the lane-o) on their way to look at the volcano. Nothing could possibly go wrong – could it?!
A hilariously anarchic rhyming story that will have you laughing out loud as you join in with the characters on their epic journey where everybody is welcome.
Happy reading-o!
