Eric G., South River High School
13 year old Hannah Steele is a little nervous as she is babysitting two school-age children named Zoe and Oscar Matlock for only the second time. She is nervous but nothing ever happens on Pelling Island, Washington. Unfortunately, a powerful earthquake strikes the Pacific Northwest leaving her and the children stranded in a wrecked home with no hope of adult help or rescue for days. Hannah must learn to adapt and overcome her fears and challenges to keep herself, the children, and their pet hamster safe, warm, and fed until help arrives. In my opinion, The Disaster Days is a fun and interesting adventure book that is helpful in learning how to act and be prepared in the event of a major emergency. Reading the book made me wonder what items I would need if disaster struck my home and what I would need for my own emergency kit. The author does an adequate job fleshing out Hannah as a character as while she struggles with survival, she also struggles with an emotional conflict due to changes in a friendship and an argument with her parents. Overall I would recommend this book to younger audiences who are interested in learning survival skills and how to prepare in disaster situations.
Click here to check out The Disaster Days by Rebecca Behrens