Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret

Bibliography
Kehret, Peg. 2003. Escaping the Giant Wave. New York: Aladdin Paperback/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Plot Summary
Thirteen year old Kyle is looking forward to his summer vacation away from school and the school bully, Daren. It gets even better when he learns that his father has won a family vacation to the Oregon coast for being the top salesman. However, Kyle's excitement turns south quickly when he learns that Daren's family has been awarded the same vacation.

Kyle didn't think it could get much worse but it did. An earthquake followed by a tsunami hits the coast during the family's vacation while Kyle is babysitting his little sister, BeeBee. It is up to him to take care of his sister during this disaster and get them to safety.

Critical Analysis
Peg Kehret delivers a winner in Escaping the Giant Wave. Kyle is your typical, ordinary 13 year old boy...he wants a higher allowance, better batting average, and the nerves to stand up to the school bully, Daren. When his family's vacation turns disaster after an earthquake followed by a tsunami hits the coast of Oregon, it is up to this ordinary boy to save the day.

Kyle is babysitting when the earthquake occurs so it is up to him to keep him and his little sister, BeeBee, safe until they are reunited with their parents. He is smart, brave, and thinks quickly. Everyone will fall in love with Kyle! An excellent choice to open up discussions on a variety of topics...bullying, survival, responsibility, being prepared, and disasters.

Reviews
Children's Literature: "While the story has the potential to be highly interesting and suspenseful, it lacks the realistic detail for readers to become involved in the plot and invest themselves in the characters. The best part of the book is the sub-plot of eight-year-old BeeBee's obsession with the financial market."

School Library Journal: "While this is a satisfying read for victims of bullying, it is unremarkable in plot and style. One character does stand out, Kyle's sister, BeeBee, a financial whiz who follows the stock market and names her teddy bear after Bill Gates."