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Wild Wave
Another WILD adventure from Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Wild River. Wild Wave is the adventure of two kids trapped in the aftermath of a tsunami. It's kids vs. nature in another edge-of-your seat read! When a tsunami heads for the coast, Nick Chase and Jess Hardy have to run. They make it into the woods above the bay-only to see the sea flooding their whole neighborhood along the shore. Destroying everything. In the broken landscape that's left behind, the two must try to find their way to safety. But when they come across a stranded elderly couple, it's up to Nick and Jess to work together and get help so that they can all make it out alive. This is another gripping environmental survival story from the Newbery Honor author of Wildfire and Wild River .
238 pages, Library Binding
Published March 19, 2025
19 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Rodman Philbrick
60 books372 followersAka William R Dantz, Chris Jordan, W.R. Philbrick.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 23, 2024
I enjoyed this book because it was a really quick read and I finished it in just one day. Although when I saw it at first I was thrown off by the cover but like the quote don't judge a book by the cover I read it anyway and I don't regret it. The story line does really follow any survival story anywhere so it is very basic and reminds me a lot of Watt Key books but it was still good.
June 4, 2025
I loved this book. One of my favorite things was how it was such an unlikely relationship that was created by total terror. My favorite character was Jess, I loved how she loved animals just like I do. Perfect beach read for someone who likes a realistic fiction book about natural disasters. 10/10 would recommend.
November 27, 2025
Read with B. We really liked it…. But so many questions … would rats really attack???
April 23, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Nick Chase, who struggles in school, is spending his Saturday at the Cape Courage, New Jersey shore on a Friends of the Wild Tour so that he can put together a podcast for school. The docent is a girl his age, Jess, who wants to be a big animal vet when she grows up. The tour has just covered some of the rescue animals, like bobcats, that are being rehabilitated when the animals become extremely agitated and all of the water empties out of the bay. Jess and Nick know this is a bad sign and run for higher ground as quickly as they can. They get a decent distance away, but when they see water coming for them, they manage to get hold of an uprooted tree, on which one of the bobcats is also riding! They travel further from shore across the ruined pines trees, but get sucked back towards the shore as the water recedes. It starts to rain, and they assess their supplies and injuries. Nick's mother was at the store, but his father was out on the Finn Chaser, his fishing boat. Jess' mom and stepfather were both at their house, which is on higher ground, and the kids hope that their parents are all alive. As they are trying to figure out where to go, they hear an air horn and find a small boat. On it is Mrs. Bumper, their science teacher who is nearing retirement, and her husband Bill, a popular soccer coach. Mrs. Bumper tells them that the ruined pine forest is a danger because of the threat of fire, but Bill has sprained his ankle, so they can't leave. Because Mrs. Bumper is diabetic, she wants to send Jess and Nick back to the town to get help. To get their GPS location, they have to get high enough to catch a signal, and it's a harrowing experience as both Bill and Nick, who is afraid of heights, try to climb trees. Once they have the location, the couple get the kids supplied with food and equipment and send them on their way. Nick slides into a sinkhole, but Jess saves him with rope. There's a timber snake that is a bit of a threat, but it's eaten by the bobcat that is following them, hoping that humans will lead it to food. They thwart an army of rats by distracting them with a peanut butter sandwich, and deal with aftershocks, rain, and blocked paths. When they finally make it near to the town, they find the abandoned Finn Chaser, and encounter looters who are trying to claim it and try to lock the kids in the cabin. Luckily, their bobcat companion attacks the looters, and Jess and Nick are able to get help from the National Guard. The town suffered devastating losses, with 300 people dying, but all of the parents are okay, with Nick's mother being gravely injured but being well on the road to recovery a year later.
Strengths: Like the other (unrelated) books in this series, Wild Fire and Wild River, this is an excellent and exciting outdoor survival adventure. There is plenty of good information about survival techniques, and I now want to have a survival backpack firmly attached to me at all time. You just never know. Jess and Nick are different people, but work well together as they face daunting challenges. The Bumpers (who must be my age!) are great characters; upbeat, prepared, comforting, and resilient. They add a level of comfort to an otherwise bleak and scary book. There's plenty of action and suspense, as well as a happy ending. This is a perfect lenghth and will be very popular with my students.
Weaknesses: There is a nice note at the end of the book about tsunamis, but I would have liked to see more information about whether a tsunami has ever hit New Jersey. Young readers will think that this book is like Tarshis' I Survived series and based on real events, but I suspect it is not.
What I really think: Outdoor survival books continue to be popular in my library; I even dusted off both copies of George's 1959 My Side of the Mountain and checked them out recently! Philbrick's The Big Dark has a dystopian feel to it, but I love this whole series of "Wild" adventures. This is a must purchase for elementary and middle school libraries where Johnson's Survival Diaries https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
or other outdoor survival books are popular.
Nick Chase, who struggles in school, is spending his Saturday at the Cape Courage, New Jersey shore on a Friends of the Wild Tour so that he can put together a podcast for school. The docent is a girl his age, Jess, who wants to be a big animal vet when she grows up. The tour has just covered some of the rescue animals, like bobcats, that are being rehabilitated when the animals become extremely agitated and all of the water empties out of the bay. Jess and Nick know this is a bad sign and run for higher ground as quickly as they can. They get a decent distance away, but when they see water coming for them, they manage to get hold of an uprooted tree, on which one of the bobcats is also riding! They travel further from shore across the ruined pines trees, but get sucked back towards the shore as the water recedes. It starts to rain, and they assess their supplies and injuries. Nick's mother was at the store, but his father was out on the Finn Chaser, his fishing boat. Jess' mom and stepfather were both at their house, which is on higher ground, and the kids hope that their parents are all alive. As they are trying to figure out where to go, they hear an air horn and find a small boat. On it is Mrs. Bumper, their science teacher who is nearing retirement, and her husband Bill, a popular soccer coach. Mrs. Bumper tells them that the ruined pine forest is a danger because of the threat of fire, but Bill has sprained his ankle, so they can't leave. Because Mrs. Bumper is diabetic, she wants to send Jess and Nick back to the town to get help. To get their GPS location, they have to get high enough to catch a signal, and it's a harrowing experience as both Bill and Nick, who is afraid of heights, try to climb trees. Once they have the location, the couple get the kids supplied with food and equipment and send them on their way. Nick slides into a sinkhole, but Jess saves him with rope. There's a timber snake that is a bit of a threat, but it's eaten by the bobcat that is following them, hoping that humans will lead it to food. They thwart an army of rats by distracting them with a peanut butter sandwich, and deal with aftershocks, rain, and blocked paths. When they finally make it near to the town, they find the abandoned Finn Chaser, and encounter looters who are trying to claim it and try to lock the kids in the cabin. Luckily, their bobcat companion attacks the looters, and Jess and Nick are able to get help from the National Guard. The town suffered devastating losses, with 300 people dying, but all of the parents are okay, with Nick's mother being gravely injured but being well on the road to recovery a year later.
Strengths: Like the other (unrelated) books in this series, Wild Fire and Wild River, this is an excellent and exciting outdoor survival adventure. There is plenty of good information about survival techniques, and I now want to have a survival backpack firmly attached to me at all time. You just never know. Jess and Nick are different people, but work well together as they face daunting challenges. The Bumpers (who must be my age!) are great characters; upbeat, prepared, comforting, and resilient. They add a level of comfort to an otherwise bleak and scary book. There's plenty of action and suspense, as well as a happy ending. This is a perfect lenghth and will be very popular with my students.
Weaknesses: There is a nice note at the end of the book about tsunamis, but I would have liked to see more information about whether a tsunami has ever hit New Jersey. Young readers will think that this book is like Tarshis' I Survived series and based on real events, but I suspect it is not.
What I really think: Outdoor survival books continue to be popular in my library; I even dusted off both copies of George's 1959 My Side of the Mountain and checked them out recently! Philbrick's The Big Dark has a dystopian feel to it, but I love this whole series of "Wild" adventures. This is a must purchase for elementary and middle school libraries where Johnson's Survival Diaries https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
or other outdoor survival books are popular.
January 19, 2025
Nick and Jess are two middle school kids who attend the same school but don't know each other. Nick is at an animal rescue place to complete a school assignment. Jess is giving the presntation. Without warning, the bobcats inside a cage suddenly fling themselves at the cage as if they're in distress. It takes a moment for the people to realize that a serious earthquake is just beginning. The chain link fence gives away and the bobcats escape, but that's not the real danger. The earthquake triggers a tidal wave and the kids suddenly race to higher ground before the wave can reach land. While the tidal wave does massive destruction uprooting trees and destroying just about everything in it's path, the kids survive.
The difficult part is they are deep in the woods and can barely navigate the scattered debris. The going is slow, and they aren't sure if they're going in the right direction and what they'll find. Their families are on their mind, but they no longer have cell service. Eventually, they encounter two people who were washed to shore on their boat. Much to their surprise, they already know the older couple. Mrs. Bumper is a science teacher at their school, and Mr. Bumper is a coach there. Because Coach Bumper has cracked ribs and Mrs. Bumper is diabetic, everyone realizes their best chance of survival is for the kids to try and find help. Having no idea if they'll find survivors or be able to get back to the Bumpers in time, the kids set out, not knowing that they're about to have the adventure of a lifetime.
The difficult part is they are deep in the woods and can barely navigate the scattered debris. The going is slow, and they aren't sure if they're going in the right direction and what they'll find. Their families are on their mind, but they no longer have cell service. Eventually, they encounter two people who were washed to shore on their boat. Much to their surprise, they already know the older couple. Mrs. Bumper is a science teacher at their school, and Mr. Bumper is a coach there. Because Coach Bumper has cracked ribs and Mrs. Bumper is diabetic, everyone realizes their best chance of survival is for the kids to try and find help. Having no idea if they'll find survivors or be able to get back to the Bumpers in time, the kids set out, not knowing that they're about to have the adventure of a lifetime.
October 11, 2024
I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via NetGalley.
I haven't read the first two books in Rodman Philbrick's The Wild Series, but if they're anything like Wild Wave, then I'm in for a treat.
Nick and Jess are two middle school students that fate tosses together when a tsunami hits their small coastal town. Together, the the two seek higher ground and make it to the woods above just as the wave hits. As it hits, they witness the wave wash away their lives. Finally, as the water recedes, they find themselves trapped and must work together to find help and survive.
This was an engaging read, told from Nick's point of view. Because it's told in first person, you get an inside look at Nick's fear and courage as he and Jess work to escape. The author does an excellent job setting the scene. He pulls the reader in and establishes a connection between the characters and the reader. This book just isn't about survival, the author also weaves in themes relating to finding your place in the world and family.
The chapters are short and well-paced, and I really enjoyed the writing style. This book is full of adventure and mental tension. Wild Wave is perfect for fans of the I Survived or the Survivor Diaries series.
Thank you, Netgalley and Rodman Philbrick for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @what_emm_reads shortly.
I haven't read the first two books in Rodman Philbrick's The Wild Series, but if they're anything like Wild Wave, then I'm in for a treat.
Nick and Jess are two middle school students that fate tosses together when a tsunami hits their small coastal town. Together, the the two seek higher ground and make it to the woods above just as the wave hits. As it hits, they witness the wave wash away their lives. Finally, as the water recedes, they find themselves trapped and must work together to find help and survive.
This was an engaging read, told from Nick's point of view. Because it's told in first person, you get an inside look at Nick's fear and courage as he and Jess work to escape. The author does an excellent job setting the scene. He pulls the reader in and establishes a connection between the characters and the reader. This book just isn't about survival, the author also weaves in themes relating to finding your place in the world and family.
The chapters are short and well-paced, and I really enjoyed the writing style. This book is full of adventure and mental tension. Wild Wave is perfect for fans of the I Survived or the Survivor Diaries series.
Thank you, Netgalley and Rodman Philbrick for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @what_emm_reads shortly.
July 12, 2024
Thank you to #NetGalley and Scholastic Press for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Wild Wave (The Wilds, 3) by Rodman Philbrick. This middle grade survival novel will be published August 6, 2024. All opinions are my own.
Nick and Jess are two middle school students that fate throws together when a tsunami hits their small coastal town. The two seek higher ground together and make it to the woods above the bay before the wave hits. They witness the wave wash away their lives as they know them. When the water recedes, they find themselves trapped in the devastation of the former pine woods. Now, they must work together to survive and find help.
This was a quick but engaging read. I really enjoy Philbrick's style. He does an excellent job of pulling in the reader and establishing connections between the characters and the reader. While this is a book about survival, he also masterfully weaves in sub-conflicts and themes related to finding your place in the world and family. The chapters are short and well-paced. There is a great balance of adventure and physical tension as well as mental tension.
My 7th graders already love the first two books in this series, and I'm sure they will love this one too. I can't wait to add a copy to my classroom library and share this book with my students.
Nick and Jess are two middle school students that fate throws together when a tsunami hits their small coastal town. The two seek higher ground together and make it to the woods above the bay before the wave hits. They witness the wave wash away their lives as they know them. When the water recedes, they find themselves trapped in the devastation of the former pine woods. Now, they must work together to survive and find help.
This was a quick but engaging read. I really enjoy Philbrick's style. He does an excellent job of pulling in the reader and establishing connections between the characters and the reader. While this is a book about survival, he also masterfully weaves in sub-conflicts and themes related to finding your place in the world and family. The chapters are short and well-paced. There is a great balance of adventure and physical tension as well as mental tension.
My 7th graders already love the first two books in this series, and I'm sure they will love this one too. I can't wait to add a copy to my classroom library and share this book with my students.
July 13, 2024
My middle school students love Rodman Philbrick (Freak the Mighty and The Wild Series), so I was excited to read the next installment of The Wild Series and am happy to report that I will be recommending Wild Wave to them as well. Like the other books in the series, Nick and Jess have a natural disaster to overcome, this time a tsunami that strikes their small coastal town with no warning. Nick and Jess only knew each other by sight at school, but as they run from the coming wave together up the hill and into the forest, they quickly learn that they will be depending upon each other for their survival, both physically and emotionally as they wonder about whether their parents survived as well. I loved how Philbrick made you feel the danger without making it feel over the top and unrealistic. I also loved Nick and Jess's teamwork, especially when they meet up with the Bumpers, older educators from their school. Nick and Jess are transformed into heroes in spite of their fear, and middle grade readers will be cheering for them every step of the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own as an unpaid reviewer always seeking more titles for my 2000-book middle school library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own as an unpaid reviewer always seeking more titles for my 2000-book middle school library.
August 12, 2024
I haven’t read the first two books in Rodman Philbrick’s The Wild series — Wildfire and Wild River — but if they’re anything like Wild Wave, then they’re nail-biting adventures, too.
While Wild Wave is about Nick and Jess, the story is told from Nick’s point of view. Because it’s told in first-person, you get an inside look at his fear and courage as the two work together to escape the Tsunami’s wild wave and the ensuing chaos caused by it.
Philbrick does an excellent job setting the scene. You immediately feel as if you, too, are buried under a forest of uprooted trees. He quickly sets the stakes as Nick and Jess move from one dangerous situation to the next, providing both characters and readers moments of rest while never allowing them to completely let their guard down.
Wild Wave is perfect for fans of the I Survived or Survivor Diaries series. At approximately 175 pages, it’s an accessible length, and the short chapters provide for natural stopping points. The book is full of adventure and tension and Philbrick allows his characters to work out problems on their own. This would make a great addition to a classroom library.
While Wild Wave is about Nick and Jess, the story is told from Nick’s point of view. Because it’s told in first-person, you get an inside look at his fear and courage as the two work together to escape the Tsunami’s wild wave and the ensuing chaos caused by it.
Philbrick does an excellent job setting the scene. You immediately feel as if you, too, are buried under a forest of uprooted trees. He quickly sets the stakes as Nick and Jess move from one dangerous situation to the next, providing both characters and readers moments of rest while never allowing them to completely let their guard down.
Wild Wave is perfect for fans of the I Survived or Survivor Diaries series. At approximately 175 pages, it’s an accessible length, and the short chapters provide for natural stopping points. The book is full of adventure and tension and Philbrick allows his characters to work out problems on their own. This would make a great addition to a classroom library.
February 1, 2025
Wild Wave by Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Freak the Mighty, is a survival story.
Nick Chase and Jess Hardy were enjoying a Saturday morning at an animal rescue venue when an earthquake rumbles through their coastal town of Cape Courage. Jess sees the bay emptying before the tsunami hits and starts to run with Nick. They end up in piles of twisted pine trees and devastation as far as the eye can see. Fortunately, they encounter two of their teachers who are stranded inland on their boat. The husband has been injured, and the wife is a diabetic who will face serious consequences without insulin in three days. Before they leave, Nick faces his fear of heights to identify the coordinates for a rescue for his two teachers. After the children sleep and eat, they begin the arduous journey back to the coast to find rescuers. Their journey back to the coast is exciting and includes a panther from the animal rescue that attacks some bad guys intent on harming the children.
Wild Wave has a happy ending, and I recommend the book for purchase for boys and girls between third and seventh grades.
C.S.
Ret. H.S. Teacher
Nick Chase and Jess Hardy were enjoying a Saturday morning at an animal rescue venue when an earthquake rumbles through their coastal town of Cape Courage. Jess sees the bay emptying before the tsunami hits and starts to run with Nick. They end up in piles of twisted pine trees and devastation as far as the eye can see. Fortunately, they encounter two of their teachers who are stranded inland on their boat. The husband has been injured, and the wife is a diabetic who will face serious consequences without insulin in three days. Before they leave, Nick faces his fear of heights to identify the coordinates for a rescue for his two teachers. After the children sleep and eat, they begin the arduous journey back to the coast to find rescuers. Their journey back to the coast is exciting and includes a panther from the animal rescue that attacks some bad guys intent on harming the children.
Wild Wave has a happy ending, and I recommend the book for purchase for boys and girls between third and seventh grades.
C.S.
Ret. H.S. Teacher
June 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the E ARC.
Our story begins when Nick, our main character, is spending a Saturday morning at Cape Courage, NJ on a wild animal tour where he is working on a school assignment. Nick has been struggling with school, and his parents (who might be getting a divorce) have had to meet with his teachers this year about his grades and lack of motivation. Jess, a girl his age is leading the tour, and they have just noticed the bobcats are acting strangely, when they noticed that the water has been sucked out of the bay. Nick and Jess immediately take off running for higher ground, just when the huge wave hits. They and one of the bobcats climb a tree in hopes of staying safe. Will they survive?
What I liked: The story is divided by days, as the kids struggle to stay alive after one catastrophy after another. The chapters are short, with the plot evenly paced which will keep relunctant readers engaged. Philbrick's Freak the Mighty is on our 7th grade core list, so this book will be an easy sell.
Our story begins when Nick, our main character, is spending a Saturday morning at Cape Courage, NJ on a wild animal tour where he is working on a school assignment. Nick has been struggling with school, and his parents (who might be getting a divorce) have had to meet with his teachers this year about his grades and lack of motivation. Jess, a girl his age is leading the tour, and they have just noticed the bobcats are acting strangely, when they noticed that the water has been sucked out of the bay. Nick and Jess immediately take off running for higher ground, just when the huge wave hits. They and one of the bobcats climb a tree in hopes of staying safe. Will they survive?
What I liked: The story is divided by days, as the kids struggle to stay alive after one catastrophy after another. The chapters are short, with the plot evenly paced which will keep relunctant readers engaged. Philbrick's Freak the Mighty is on our 7th grade core list, so this book will be an easy sell.
July 29, 2024
For two children, the unimaginable happens: a tsunami hits their small town, and as they flee towards higher ground, racing through the pine trees, they have no idea what sort of devastation will follow, nor whether anyone else survived.
Nick and Jess struggle through the woods in search of help, rescue, or anyone else alive...but the tsunami is not the only danger they will face. This catastrophe will force them to find hidden strength and work together, as they deal with the aftermath of the wave, hazards in the forest, wildlife, and other dangers.
A good adventure book for middle-graders, my own heart was racing along with theirs. I can see why the author has won multiple awards, including Newbery Honor.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nick and Jess struggle through the woods in search of help, rescue, or anyone else alive...but the tsunami is not the only danger they will face. This catastrophe will force them to find hidden strength and work together, as they deal with the aftermath of the wave, hazards in the forest, wildlife, and other dangers.
A good adventure book for middle-graders, my own heart was racing along with theirs. I can see why the author has won multiple awards, including Newbery Honor.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2024
Oh boy! That was one intense survival novel!
I can say with certainty I'm very glad to be safe at home reading from the comfort of my couch and not involved in the circumstances the characters were involved in.
An earthquake, tsunami, heights, being separated from the adults and any technology that could help you determine what might lie ahead, not so friendly animals galore, and then some! This book keeps you reading as you fear for the safety of the characters, the safety of the two teachers they are on a mission to save, and the fear of what condition they will find the rest of their world to be in if and when they arrive.
Kids will definitely enjoy this!
I can say with certainty I'm very glad to be safe at home reading from the comfort of my couch and not involved in the circumstances the characters were involved in.
An earthquake, tsunami, heights, being separated from the adults and any technology that could help you determine what might lie ahead, not so friendly animals galore, and then some! This book keeps you reading as you fear for the safety of the characters, the safety of the two teachers they are on a mission to save, and the fear of what condition they will find the rest of their world to be in if and when they arrive.
Kids will definitely enjoy this!
August 18, 2024
Suggested by my school librarian, I was thrilled to see that she had chosen the newest book by Rodman Philbrick. I am a huge fan of Freak the Mighty. Wild Wave did not disappoint. A poignant tale of two students familiar with each other, but not friends, thrown together during as a result of a tsunami striking their home town. How they are able to help each other and other survivors was just good story telling.
March 19, 2024
It's truly a task to find a middle grade novel that is suspenseful, action-packed, but totally readable and appropriate. Dude, this book was AWESOME!
If your readers love the I Survived! series (because ALL THE READERS DO, OF COURSE!) then Rodman Philbrick's WILD books are a must!
This book doesn't release until August, but I'm pre-ordering copies for our libraries today! =)
If your readers love the I Survived! series (because ALL THE READERS DO, OF COURSE!) then Rodman Philbrick's WILD books are a must!
This book doesn't release until August, but I'm pre-ordering copies for our libraries today! =)
June 8, 2024
This is a thrilling adventure with short chapters and as many curveballs as you can think of (plus a few more). Readers will devour this third installment in Philbrick's adventurous series!
Nick and Jess have only a few minutes to react as a tsunami is headed towards their town. They barely manage to escape but become stranded deep in the woods and must climb and fight their way out. Through their journey, they meet an elderly couple they know who are stranded and need help. Nick and Jess continue to fight not just for themselves, but for their old friends' survival.
This was a light, fluffy read with problems that are solved almost as quickly as they arrive. Some of the events didn't seem plausible, but I kept reading to see what crazy things would happen next. The chapters are very short and end on cliffhangers that make this perfect for a reluctant reader or even as a read-aloud with a class that needs something fast paced. I raced through it, rooting for Nick and Jess the whole way. Definitely check it out!
Nick and Jess have only a few minutes to react as a tsunami is headed towards their town. They barely manage to escape but become stranded deep in the woods and must climb and fight their way out. Through their journey, they meet an elderly couple they know who are stranded and need help. Nick and Jess continue to fight not just for themselves, but for their old friends' survival.
This was a light, fluffy read with problems that are solved almost as quickly as they arrive. Some of the events didn't seem plausible, but I kept reading to see what crazy things would happen next. The chapters are very short and end on cliffhangers that make this perfect for a reluctant reader or even as a read-aloud with a class that needs something fast paced. I raced through it, rooting for Nick and Jess the whole way. Definitely check it out!
July 28, 2024
Reading about Nick and Jess’ many adventures as they struggled to survive had me on the edge of my seat. Upper elementary and middle school students will love this story of adventure, courage, and suspense. I picked up this book at the January ALA conference, put it on my TBR pile, and finally had a chance to read it: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
August 17, 2024
Probably aimed at reading level 4th grade and up. It's short enough and exciting enough to hold interest and doesn't overlook the emotions involved in danger to the children and their families. Being the grandparent of boys, I appreciate that the main character is a boy and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I did.
August 31, 2024
Nick was just trying to get enough information for a school assigned podcast and Jess was simply showing people around the Cape Courage animal rescue preserve when their whole world was turned on its end by a tsunami. Philbrick’s third in his “The Wilds” series starts fast and seldom slows down after the wave hits. The two rapidly become a team trying to get back to the shoreline where they assume rescue workers will but have to navigate stacked up pine trees, sinkholes, a timber rattlesnake and deal with hunger, rain, and, of course, fear for their own safety and questions raging thru their minds about family.
The fast-paced action will keep 4th-6th graders turning pages eagerly, waiting to see what natural barrier will get in the duo’s way next. There are moments of relief when Nick and Jess find two of their school teachers on a capsized boat and are able to fill their stomachs, but circumstances turn dire again and the pair must continue onward to find help for an injured Coach and his diabetic wife who only has 2 more days of insulin. Along the way, readers get to know Nick and Jess, rooting for them the whole way and will breathe a sigh of relief when they finally see that rescue copter. And then more disaster will strike before they make that last mile to safety!
Solid choice for elementary libraries and with its relatively low page count (192 p), non-stop action, lack of profanity and sexual content, would be appropriate for strong readers in younger grades as well.
Thanks for the digital ARC, Edelweiss.
The fast-paced action will keep 4th-6th graders turning pages eagerly, waiting to see what natural barrier will get in the duo’s way next. There are moments of relief when Nick and Jess find two of their school teachers on a capsized boat and are able to fill their stomachs, but circumstances turn dire again and the pair must continue onward to find help for an injured Coach and his diabetic wife who only has 2 more days of insulin. Along the way, readers get to know Nick and Jess, rooting for them the whole way and will breathe a sigh of relief when they finally see that rescue copter. And then more disaster will strike before they make that last mile to safety!
Solid choice for elementary libraries and with its relatively low page count (192 p), non-stop action, lack of profanity and sexual content, would be appropriate for strong readers in younger grades as well.
Thanks for the digital ARC, Edelweiss.
August 21, 2024
This has become a niche series for Philbrick. This one has all of the outlandish drama you've come to expect - things happening that no 12-year old could actually survive on their own. But if readers enjoyed the first two books in this series, they will enjoy this one as well.
December 16, 2024
I enjoy this author's books. He tells a good, fast-paced story with well developed characters. During disaster, many people dig deep into themselves and accomplish things they never thought possible. Nick and Jess are two of them.
July 7, 2025
this book made no sense it was really uzz imo the main character can’t be older than 10 yet he’s saying things like ‘I insist’ and using old aged language but the ends of the chapters were funny my favorite part was: ‘forward march? More like forward crouch.’
September 22, 2024
Nick and Jess are caught in a tsunami and have to figure out how to survive and get to help.
October 15, 2024
Fire, then River, now tsunami! Philbrick has done it again. Students will be hooked from the very first chapter when a tsunami slams into the Jersey Shore.
November 13, 2024
This was a suspenseful story of how two 12-year-old classmates, acquaintances, worked together to survive a tsunami and its aftermath.
December 29, 2024
Great book for students about 4th to 7th grade.
February 26, 2025
Story of survival, friendship, and overcoming odds to save yourself and others.
March 3, 2025
Easy read. Great for 4th grade.
March 4, 2025
I read this aloud to my students and they loved the action and adventure. The cliffhangers at the end of chapters had them hooked, always asking for more!
April 3, 2025
My son wanted me to read his book ❤️ Entertaining story, quick read about 2 middle school kids surviving a natural disaster. 🌊
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