Storm Surge

by David Rees

A spring tide, high water, and a January gale cause a flood to pour across Flatsea Island into the town. Peter is trapped in the pub, but what has happened to his parents and grandparents? Grades 3-6.

111 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

David Rees was born in London in 1936, but lived most of his adult life in Devon, where for many years he taught English Literature at Exeter University and at California State University, San Jose. In 1984, he took early retirement in order to write full-time. Author of forty-two books, he is best known for his children's novel The Exeter Blitz, which in 1978 was awarded the Carnegie Medal (UK), and The Milkman's On His Way, which, having survived much absurd controversy in Parliament, is now regarded as something of a gay classic. He also won The Other Award (UK) for his historical novel The Green Bough of Liberty. David Rees died in 1993.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting, well-written young adult novel concerning a family caught in an unusual weather condition called a "storm surge." Set on Flatsea Island and the town of Oozedam on the North Sea coast of England, the Brown family finds themselves in separate places when the surge hits. There is tension as the family members seek each other out, and the characters are well-defined and interesting. This is, I believe, the debut novel of author David Rees. Long out-of-print, but worth searching for.

[Susanna Natti · Rating 4 out of 5]

My adult mind wanted a little more character development to get invested in this family, caught in different places and circumstances by a terrifying storm surge. But, written for young adults (I actually saw that the ages suggested were for third-sixth grade), it is gripping and will captivate readers.