Rising Water

by P.J. Petersen

As part of his release agreement from juvenile hall, Kevin goes to work at the science center with his peer counselor, Luke, and Luke's sister Tracy, but when the floods hit and the three set out to help those in the community, Luke is kidnapped by looters, causing Kevin and Tracy to work together to get him back. Reprint.

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Teen, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

P. J. Petersen grew up on a farm six miles from Geyserville, California. He says, "I was sure that I lived in the most boring place in the world--a prune farm in the middle of nowhere. Since my family didn't have the time or money to travel, I did my traveling through books. I read everything I could get my hands on. Most of my books came from the Geyserville Public Library, which was one tiny room served by the county Bookmobile. I loved the place, especially on the day after the Bookmobile came."
Mr. Petersen wanted to be a writer from the beginning. He had other ambitions, like being an airline pilot and a baseball player, but he always intended to write books.

He was not an immediate success. He wrote seriously for over twenty years without selling a single word. Then he had his best idea--to write a book for his daughter Karen, a seventh grader at the time. He had never written for young people, but he knew the kind of books his daughter liked. That book, WOULD YOU SETTLE FOR IMPROBABLE?, was his first published novel. He has been writing books for young people ever since.

Mr. Petersen lives with his wife, Marian, in Redding, California. He has two grown daughters, Karen and Carla, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Emma. A graduate of Stanford University with a Ph.D. in American literature from the University of New Mexico, he taught at Shasta College from 1964 to December 2000. Now that he has retired from teaching, he is available for school visits, workshops, or conferences.

Reviews

[Elaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a friend here on Goodreads :) Despite it only being 120 pages, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story! It was full of adventures and was very fast-paced! :D I do not typically read these types of books, but I am glad I did because I thought it was a pretty fun and exciting read! I really liked the characters also and the banter/arguing that went on with Kevin and Tracy lol XD There were other little things throughout the book that made me laugh too…in a good way though, not in a mocking the book way lol This was a fairly quick read and I am really glad that it was recommended to me because sometimes it’s just nice to have a standalone book that you can read in one sitting and take a break from a long series :) Since the book is so short, I can’t say too much else about it because I don’t want to spoil anything. ^_^

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Quickie Read. Awesome book. The book details the life of a car thief that gets sent to an ASPCA center. and helps during the flood. Dont want to spoil it....

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke & Tracy work at Science Center; Kevin must work. During a flood, they go out to rescue a dog.

[Hannah Klinker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was simply amazing. I enjoyed it even though it's a mere 120 pages. It shows the change of a jailbird (even though his crime was insignificant) into a animal rescue worker. It's captivating from the very beginning and action filled. It takes place in a place I like to compare to New Orleans, in the way that it's under sea-level and has a reputation for flooding. Recently the city has build levees and a dam to hold back water, but in this case, it fails to comply to the force of nature. Watch as Kevin tries his very best to hold back his sarcastic remarks and catch Luke's sister, Tracy's eye. You'll be amazed at how much action they can pack into the limited amount of space, and astonished how the characters band together in a fight to help the others in their city and battle for their survival.

[Emily N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic adventure book. I learned that you should never give up on people because they may change for the better, despite your expectations. I would reccomend this book for people who like reading a good adventure/realistic fiction novel. Rising Water is full of suspense and three completely different characters all thrown in the same boat, creating an interesting bond betweent them. I greatly enjoyed reading this book...you will too!

[Mara N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I liked how Tracy, Luke, and Kevin were willing to help out thier neighbors during a flood even if it meant risking their lives. I would want my neighbors to help me out when i need help too. I would help my neighbors. Tracy did what nobody expected, she saved her brother Lukes life. This shows that no matter how big or small you are you can accomplish great things.

[Matthew B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rising Water is a very good book. The book is based on teamwork, friendships, and trust. I only give it 4 stars because the book ended on a cliffhanger and it wasn't long enough. They could of added at least one or two more situations where they had trouble getting an animal. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young adult book about Tracey and her brother Luke, who set out to rescue Kevin from a life of crime. When the river floods, the trio sets out to save a dog in their boat. But when they stop to investigate a suspicious house, looters with a shotgun greet them--and they need to be rescued!

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had 2 read it for school i guess it was ok.

[April Klimek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book I thought it was very good and it was a book that kept you at the end of your seat

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Tresha Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

a valcano is very hot

[Ashton]

I like the book but it definitely was no my favorite

[Max Price]

The book "rising water" has a lot of mysteries and clues. Its about teenagers that get stuck in the water. The teens are into animals and also go to the animal shelter. They take many risks throughout the story.

I recommend this book, It was pretty short but got the theme out in a descriptive way. It was a good mysterious and eager book