Road Trip to Adventure: Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret

Thirteen-year-old Kyle thinks that spending a vacation on the Oregon coast with his family will be great fun.  But the quiet getaway is about to take a surprising and dangerous turn.  While Kyle is babysitting his sister BeeBee, an earthquake creates a fire at their hotel, followed by a colossal tsunami. Kyle must try to save himself, his sister, and a boy who has bullied him for years.  Will they survive nature’s fury and escape the giant wave?  Fifth grade Reading Road Trippers are checking out Escaping the Giant Wave and joining in a Pacific Coast adventure!

by Nick V.

Alexandra D. gives the story high marks: “It’s like you are in the book… It is so descriptive.” Camryn D. would definitely read other books by Peg Kehret, sharing that Escaping the Giant Wave is “thrilling, scary, and intense.” Sage S. recommends the book to “people who like excitement and adventure.” Teresa G. portrays the action as “exhilarating,” but she cautions friends who are scared of the water or anxious about earthquakes and tsunamis to think twice before choosing this book.

by Jane R.

Escaping the Giant Wave includes an author’s note with information about tsunamis. Reading Road Trippers Emma S., Michael H., Alex W., Sarah D., and Abigal S. researched tsunamis; check out their Power Point presentations in the Fifth Grade Reading Road Trip Souvenir Scrapbook in the LMC.  

We can learn more about the science of giant waves, experimenting with a Tsunami Simulator and with a Savage Seas Wave Machine.  Later, we'll match wits with the forces of nature, playing a Tsunami Survival Challenge Game.  Click on the red-highlighted words to get started!

 

Escaping the Giant Wave by Hannah S.

More West Coast Adventure: After Jonathan’s mother breaks her ankle on a family camping trip, twelve-year-old Jonathan and his partially paralyzed younger sister are temporarily left alone on an isolated island.  Then a devastating earthquake strikes, and the brother and sister must survive Earthquake Terror, fighting for their lives until help arrives.

by Olivia M.

Let’s take a side trip to visit with author Peg Kehret.  She makes her home in the state of Washington-- in a log house on a ten-acre wildlife sanctuary near Mount Rainier!  Peg Kehret talks about her life and her writing in two popular memoir-style biographies: 

In fifth-grade Reading Road Trip favorite Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, Peg Kehret describes her childhood bout with polio and her efforts to overcome the ongoing effects of the disease.

by Jane B.

Five Pages a Day: A Writer’s Journey (RL 6.9) expands upon the story. Peg Kehret describes her ongoing struggle with polio and how she became a writer. She talks about family relationships and about the importance of writing in her life.


  

After reading Small Steps, fifth graders Colleen and Jane composed letters to the author:

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn F. and Molly R. created a Small Steps timeline, a story map of Peg Kehret's journey with polio:

Justine opened her writer's notebook, creating a letter from young Peg Kehret to her parents:

Check out an “author interview,” researched and performed by fifth graders Samantha and Holly:

We can learn more about Peg Kehret at her website: there’s a biography, a book list, a blog, photographs, and frequently asked questions.  Click on the red-highlighted words to get started.

Poster by Emily V.

Escaping the Giant Wave Diorama by Sydney O.

Escaping the Giant Wave Diorama by Grace P.