Celia Matthews’ 13th birthday celebration starts with a bang. Pots and pans bang to the floor, the walls shake, and Mr. Matthews orders everyone outside before Celia and her little sister Winnie can even finish setting the table for supper.

It’s November 18, 1929, and no one in her small village in Newfoundland has ever felt an earthquake before. While the earthquake frightened everyone, what came next devastated the village. The sea water disappears from the harbor and sweeps back in as a powerful tsunami, destroying everything in its path.

The family dog saves Celia from drowning, and hours later village fishermen rescue Boomer and Celia from their freezing raft. With all the larger boats out of commission, the telephone destroyed, and the telegraph swept away, the village has no way to let the outside world know of their situation.

Only a few buildings remain, and the village must work together to survive with little food as winter sets in. Celia worries about her injured family members and what the future will hold.

What I Liked About This Book

Celia, the narrator, shares something in common with every 13-year-old girl—the struggle to transition from childhood to teen. Her big family brings her both comfort and provides a source of irritation. She must learn how to make do with less than usual. In addition, she learns how she can best help her family recover from the tragedy—even if it means giving up old dreams.

Teachers and librarians looking for a solid historical novel for middle-grade students will want to add this book to their collections.