The Disaster Days by Rebecca Behrens

The Disaster Days by Rebecca Behrens. Sourcebooks, 2019. 9781492673316

Format: ARC

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5

Genre:  Adventure/survival

What did you like about the book? Hannah is babysitting for neighbors on tiny Pelling Island when an earthquake hits. At only 13 years old, she is way out of her league when it comes to disasters. In addition to trying to find food, water, shelter and keeping her charges away from harm, there’s no way to contact her parents. And she had just had angry words with her best friend when the disaster struck. So, she is not in a strong frame of mind. I really liked how Hannah develops as a character, making mistakes, but doing everything she can to care for herself and the younger children and a cute guinea pig. Also, she has asthma and is caught without her inhaler during this catastrophe. It’s a realistic survival story, along the lines of recent disasters that have actually happened in the world.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book?  For 8-12 year old lovers of realistic adventure fiction, along the lines of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet.

Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it ? Fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: September 29, 2019