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Rough Waters
After their parents are killed in a car accident, Scott and Gregg leave their comfortable life in Southern California to live with an uncle in the remote Colorado Rockies. Soon Gregg is running with the wrong crowd and only a crisis can bring him to his senses before he loses the only family he has left. 144 pp. Ages 12-16. Pub: 3/98.
179 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 7, 2018
Rough waters is a good book about two brothers that lost there parents to a car accident. gregg and Scott have to move in with there uncle that owns a whitewater rafting company in Colorado.
August 16, 2018
The book Rough Waters entices the readers with a story of two boys that thought that their world ended. The book is written by the author, S.L. Rottman. Rough Waters is a fiction book about the life of two boys who got a new life after an incident.
Their parents were out partying one night, the boys were at home going through their regular lives, then it all changes. Their parents were driving home drunk and died in an accident. The boys, Scott and Gregg, were forced to go to live with their uncle that they never knew existed. Scott, the younger of the two, is grieving for his parents'. His brother, Gregg, is taking the situation worse, finding no way to cope and is angered easily. The boys pack their stuff and say their goodbyes to their friends. They move in with their uncle, Rocky, who owns a rafting company. Their uncle doesn’t have any parenting experience and has no idea what to do with these boys. So, he gives them jobs at the company. Gregg does not like the idea of being told what to do when he is almost eighteen, adult age, so he decides not to follow rules and to do his own thing. Scott, on the other hand, is fine with working for his uncle. The new life that has been handed to the boys begins, there are many good things that come of it and there are also many hardships that follow with the good.
The book is told from Scott’s point of view. Scott is the younger brother and is generally the rule follower. He thinks that there is still hope, even in bad situations. Scott takes the death of his parents seriously and tries to find ways to cope with the problems. He is worried about his brother, who is not coping and is choosing to stick with anger. Scott is trying to get used to his new life, knowing that it will get better eventually. He enjoys the new job and the time that he spends with Rocky. Later in the book, he decides to go exploring his uncle’s property and fines a bike to ride into town. When he was in town, he went to a library to get a book and he makes a new friend. His life looks better already.
The protagonist of the book is Scott, who is trying to start his new life well. The antagonist in the book is his older brother Gregg, who thinks that he can just do what he wants now and gets into all sorts of trouble. Other main characters include Rocky, Summer, and Rodger. These are people that they meet in their new life.
I think that the main theme for this book is that when one door closes, another one opens. I think that this is the theme for several reasons. First, Scott moves to another place where there is a new home, new people, a job, and a new life. He tries to make the most of his situation and tries to focus on the good of all situations. He finds hope for the new life that was given to him and decides to live in the present instead of the past. He still misses his parents and his old life, but he also enjoys his new one.
Their parents were out partying one night, the boys were at home going through their regular lives, then it all changes. Their parents were driving home drunk and died in an accident. The boys, Scott and Gregg, were forced to go to live with their uncle that they never knew existed. Scott, the younger of the two, is grieving for his parents'. His brother, Gregg, is taking the situation worse, finding no way to cope and is angered easily. The boys pack their stuff and say their goodbyes to their friends. They move in with their uncle, Rocky, who owns a rafting company. Their uncle doesn’t have any parenting experience and has no idea what to do with these boys. So, he gives them jobs at the company. Gregg does not like the idea of being told what to do when he is almost eighteen, adult age, so he decides not to follow rules and to do his own thing. Scott, on the other hand, is fine with working for his uncle. The new life that has been handed to the boys begins, there are many good things that come of it and there are also many hardships that follow with the good.
The book is told from Scott’s point of view. Scott is the younger brother and is generally the rule follower. He thinks that there is still hope, even in bad situations. Scott takes the death of his parents seriously and tries to find ways to cope with the problems. He is worried about his brother, who is not coping and is choosing to stick with anger. Scott is trying to get used to his new life, knowing that it will get better eventually. He enjoys the new job and the time that he spends with Rocky. Later in the book, he decides to go exploring his uncle’s property and fines a bike to ride into town. When he was in town, he went to a library to get a book and he makes a new friend. His life looks better already.
The protagonist of the book is Scott, who is trying to start his new life well. The antagonist in the book is his older brother Gregg, who thinks that he can just do what he wants now and gets into all sorts of trouble. Other main characters include Rocky, Summer, and Rodger. These are people that they meet in their new life.
I think that the main theme for this book is that when one door closes, another one opens. I think that this is the theme for several reasons. First, Scott moves to another place where there is a new home, new people, a job, and a new life. He tries to make the most of his situation and tries to focus on the good of all situations. He finds hope for the new life that was given to him and decides to live in the present instead of the past. He still misses his parents and his old life, but he also enjoys his new one.
November 24, 2019
Scott and his older brother Gregg grieve the loss of their parents who died in a car accident. With nowhere or no one else to turn to, they are sent off to Colorado to live with an uncle who they have never met before. Scott adjusts after some time to the new area, but it seems like Gregg will never get along with their Uncle Rocky. This ultimately ends with them fighting. A lot. As the story goes on, Rocky hires his two nephews to be a part of his rafting company and gets some pretty negative responses which causes even more trouble. Gregg is a very rebellious character, while Scott is just trying to make it through the summer with no friends, no parents, and no idea how he’s going to survive.
I really enjoyed this book! This is my second time reading it and it’s always fun and interesting to read. The characters are super relatable and fun, making this novel a real page turner! One of my favorite parts are near the end when Scott and a girl named Summer go on a date and have to bike everywhere since he can’t drive! It just amazes me how relatable this book can be. If you love a good read that keeps you up late and laughing, I would highly recommend this book to you.
I really enjoyed this book! This is my second time reading it and it’s always fun and interesting to read. The characters are super relatable and fun, making this novel a real page turner! One of my favorite parts are near the end when Scott and a girl named Summer go on a date and have to bike everywhere since he can’t drive! It just amazes me how relatable this book can be. If you love a good read that keeps you up late and laughing, I would highly recommend this book to you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2017
Gregg and Scott's world has suddenly collapsed. After the death of both parents in a car accident, they find they have been left in the custody of an uncle they have never met. And worse ... they have to move to some little town in Colorado, away from the only home they've ever known. When they meet their Uncle Dave, he insists on being called only Rocky and Scott can't believe how young he is. Rocky runs a river rafting company and he soon enlists Scott's and Gregg's help. Money is tight. Gregg, still filled with unexpressed anger about his parents' death, resents Rocky's attempt at authority. Scott finds himself caught in the middle trying to keep the peace. But has Gregg makes friends with Roger, he begins to pull away even from Scott. So Scott looks for companionship elsewhere and meets Summer at the library. But as their friendship grows, Gregg's destructive behavior threatens to dissolve all family ties and possibly cause someone their life.
May 17, 2021
BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22, 2024
10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND
August 12, 2011
Scott and Gregg’s parents were killed in a car crash and now they have to move from California to Colorado to live with their Uncle Dave (a.k.a ‘Rocky’). Scott’s younger, but he’s more responsible and he’s more willing than older brother Gregg to give Rocky a chance. Gregg becomes increasingly angry and rebellious – especially after Rocky lays down the house rules for boys, which include working for him all summer on the river (he runs a whitewater rafting business) to help make ends meet.
Gregg gets paired with Roger, an experienced rafter, so that he can learn the river and the ropes for being a guide. But Roger’s attitude sucks. That makes him particularly attractive to Gregg, whose attitude also sucks. The two become inseparable, which leaves Scott on his own a lot. He’s pretty resourceful, though, and he makes some friends among the other folks who work for his uncle, as well as a young woman who works at the local library.
Things remain tense between Gregg and Rocky, though, and the situation only gets worse as the summer progresses. Things come to a head when Roger kidnaps Scott and his friend Summer and drags them on a midnight river run. The boat overturns and everyone washes up in different places along the river. Scott is ok, but Gregg and Summer are injured. Two other young women in the boat are shaken, but unscathed. They don’t find Roger’s body until 3 days later.
This was a very gripping story. There’s a lot of pain and anger, and the two teens (Scott is 15, Gregg, 17) handle their parents’ deaths very differently. Scott is so much older than his brother in so many ways. All of the characters here seem very real and believable. The rafting is exciting, the incidental facts about the sport that you pick up along the way are interesting, and the dynamics of the relationships between the characters are fascinating as well. There’s a lot here to keep you reading. This is one that should appeal to both sexes.
Gregg gets paired with Roger, an experienced rafter, so that he can learn the river and the ropes for being a guide. But Roger’s attitude sucks. That makes him particularly attractive to Gregg, whose attitude also sucks. The two become inseparable, which leaves Scott on his own a lot. He’s pretty resourceful, though, and he makes some friends among the other folks who work for his uncle, as well as a young woman who works at the local library.
Things remain tense between Gregg and Rocky, though, and the situation only gets worse as the summer progresses. Things come to a head when Roger kidnaps Scott and his friend Summer and drags them on a midnight river run. The boat overturns and everyone washes up in different places along the river. Scott is ok, but Gregg and Summer are injured. Two other young women in the boat are shaken, but unscathed. They don’t find Roger’s body until 3 days later.
This was a very gripping story. There’s a lot of pain and anger, and the two teens (Scott is 15, Gregg, 17) handle their parents’ deaths very differently. Scott is so much older than his brother in so many ways. All of the characters here seem very real and believable. The rafting is exciting, the incidental facts about the sport that you pick up along the way are interesting, and the dynamics of the relationships between the characters are fascinating as well. There’s a lot here to keep you reading. This is one that should appeal to both sexes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2012
Review: Rough Waters by S.L. Rottman
5 STARS Rough Waters made me feel! I was so invested into Scott. Got really angry at Roger. Wanted to tell Greg off and to grow up. I cried in a few places too. I did not put the book down till I had finshed reading it. In the end I wanted to go on a rafting trip again. The book starts with Scott and Greg trying to go through all thier possessions decide what they wanted keep, sell or donate. Thier parents having both died in a car crash. They had no seatbelts on and no money left by the time all the expenses and loans are paid for. Greg had 3 months before he turned 18. Had enough to pay one year of collage then he did not know what would happen. Scott was 15 he had good grades and time to earn scholarships for collage. They grew up in california. Now they had to go to Colorado and live with a Uncle they never knew they had. Thier neighbor was helping them pack and was willing to store somethings for them. Scott would rather stay with her. But thier parents made a will 15 years early and made thier Uncle thier guardian. Thier Uncle said they could come live with them but not to bring much because he has a real small house. No one was thier to meet the plane and when they called collect he refused to take the call and said someone would be by to pick them up soon. When they got to thier Uncle Rocky's he stopped by to welcome them and told them that they could work for him. He would train Greg to be a river guide when he was 18 he would get paid more. They would share a bedroom and with two twin beds and two dressers was pretty much all the room. Greg resented having to live by Rocky's few rules. He did like the river runs and got along great with Roger who was training him. Scott was willing to give Rocky a chance. Greg not so much. I would read more books like this one. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley. 05/01/2012 PUB Peachtree Publishers
5 STARS Rough Waters made me feel! I was so invested into Scott. Got really angry at Roger. Wanted to tell Greg off and to grow up. I cried in a few places too. I did not put the book down till I had finshed reading it. In the end I wanted to go on a rafting trip again. The book starts with Scott and Greg trying to go through all thier possessions decide what they wanted keep, sell or donate. Thier parents having both died in a car crash. They had no seatbelts on and no money left by the time all the expenses and loans are paid for. Greg had 3 months before he turned 18. Had enough to pay one year of collage then he did not know what would happen. Scott was 15 he had good grades and time to earn scholarships for collage. They grew up in california. Now they had to go to Colorado and live with a Uncle they never knew they had. Thier neighbor was helping them pack and was willing to store somethings for them. Scott would rather stay with her. But thier parents made a will 15 years early and made thier Uncle thier guardian. Thier Uncle said they could come live with them but not to bring much because he has a real small house. No one was thier to meet the plane and when they called collect he refused to take the call and said someone would be by to pick them up soon. When they got to thier Uncle Rocky's he stopped by to welcome them and told them that they could work for him. He would train Greg to be a river guide when he was 18 he would get paid more. They would share a bedroom and with two twin beds and two dressers was pretty much all the room. Greg resented having to live by Rocky's few rules. He did like the river runs and got along great with Roger who was training him. Scott was willing to give Rocky a chance. Greg not so much. I would read more books like this one. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley. 05/01/2012 PUB Peachtree Publishers
February 26, 2012
Rough Waters by S. L. Rottman follows Scott who along with his brother Gregg is uprooted to Colorado after the death of his parents to live with an uncle that he has never met. His uncle runs a white water rafting company and has trouble making ends meet and puts them to work in his company. While Scott is open to the experience Greg is resentful and rebellious.
This is a wonderful book that's full of realistic action and will really appeal to teen boys. Greg is a character that teens will be able to relate to, one that wants to do the right thing but stumbles and gives into peer pressure at times. There are plenty of lessons to be learned in the book but it's the rafting scenes that really shine. The reader can picture themselves on the raft, going on rafting trips and facing danger on a daily basis. This book is a bit old and there are some things that are dated (like not being able to afford a long distance phone call) but the message and story is still exciting and relevant.
Appropriateness: Greg's older brother gets into a lot of trouble in the book. He drinks and smokes, breaks the law and is disrespectful to women. This is all viewed as negative and destructive and an example of how not to behave and Scott for the most part is a very good kid. I would recommend this book to readers 12+ with a special emphasis on boys and reluctant readers.
This is a wonderful book that's full of realistic action and will really appeal to teen boys. Greg is a character that teens will be able to relate to, one that wants to do the right thing but stumbles and gives into peer pressure at times. There are plenty of lessons to be learned in the book but it's the rafting scenes that really shine. The reader can picture themselves on the raft, going on rafting trips and facing danger on a daily basis. This book is a bit old and there are some things that are dated (like not being able to afford a long distance phone call) but the message and story is still exciting and relevant.
Appropriateness: Greg's older brother gets into a lot of trouble in the book. He drinks and smokes, breaks the law and is disrespectful to women. This is all viewed as negative and destructive and an example of how not to behave and Scott for the most part is a very good kid. I would recommend this book to readers 12+ with a special emphasis on boys and reluctant readers.
December 8, 2012
After their parents are killed in a disastrous car crash, Greg and Scott are faced with some serious challenges.Instead of moving in with a very good family friend,they must follow their parent's will and move from their home in California to Colorado. In Colorado they have an uncle, of which they barely know,who runs a white-water rafting company. While Scott does well in school and tries to make the best out of the opportunity, Greg is determined to piss off his uncle and rebel against the world.But when trouble strikes in rapid country, the boys must come together for their own sake.
This book is full of action and adventure while still including slow parts that really allow you to get to know the characters. The contrast between the personalities of Greg and Scott really make it seem like it is two entirely different books. While some of the conversations are simple and events predictable, the vivid rapid scenes make up for it. You feel engaged in the action-if you misread a word everyone would go headfirst into the freezing water. While some of the vocabulary is different due to the age of the book, Rough Waters is an exciting book that mainly appeals to teens, although it has many lessons to teach all ages.
This book is full of action and adventure while still including slow parts that really allow you to get to know the characters. The contrast between the personalities of Greg and Scott really make it seem like it is two entirely different books. While some of the conversations are simple and events predictable, the vivid rapid scenes make up for it. You feel engaged in the action-if you misread a word everyone would go headfirst into the freezing water. While some of the vocabulary is different due to the age of the book, Rough Waters is an exciting book that mainly appeals to teens, although it has many lessons to teach all ages.
April 27, 2013
Rough Waters is a lovely, quick read. There are times when the novel seems somewhat cliché - the troubled older brother, geeky younger brother, and fairly predictable plot line - but these add to the charm of the novel.
Two brothers, Gregg and Scott, are sent to their uncle after their parents are killed in a car accident. They have never, in their memory, met their Uncle Dave and don't know what to expect. What they get is a series of adventures that test their relationship. Their uncle, Rocky, runs a Colorado river rafting business that is just starting to become profitable. The minute the two boys arrive at Rocky's they are put to work in the business. Scott settles right in, but Gregg is determined to follow a path of opposition and self-destruction. Eventually, through river adventures and rocky relationship struggles, Gregg comes to see that, despite the difficulties life brings him, he still has a brother and uncle who care for him and will help him cope.
This is a novel I would recommend to young boys who are looking for books to read. They would connect with either Scott or Gregg and they ways they try to live in a difficult world.
Two brothers, Gregg and Scott, are sent to their uncle after their parents are killed in a car accident. They have never, in their memory, met their Uncle Dave and don't know what to expect. What they get is a series of adventures that test their relationship. Their uncle, Rocky, runs a Colorado river rafting business that is just starting to become profitable. The minute the two boys arrive at Rocky's they are put to work in the business. Scott settles right in, but Gregg is determined to follow a path of opposition and self-destruction. Eventually, through river adventures and rocky relationship struggles, Gregg comes to see that, despite the difficulties life brings him, he still has a brother and uncle who care for him and will help him cope.
This is a novel I would recommend to young boys who are looking for books to read. They would connect with either Scott or Gregg and they ways they try to live in a difficult world.
August 5, 2016
My very favourite book when I was growing up! I was hooked by the first sentence. I reread it every few years and always love it just as much! Great read for young adults!
2016 Re-Read: I loOoOoOoOoOove this book. That first sentence still hooks me, and every time I read this I feel like I've gone on an adventure, as cheese balls as that sounds. It still feels like summer. The only thing that's changed is that instead of having a crush on Scott, like I did when I was 12, I definitely switched to having a crush on Scott's uncle. Who should really just carry a mic with him everywhere so he can drop it anytime he says something. Rocky's the coolest.
I picked this book up again because it makes me think of my grandma (whose library card made it possible for me to read this for the first time in 1998), and it reminded me of something I've been dreaming of doing for the last 18 years: go white water rafting! And finally, next weekend, I get to do just that. So so excited. I'll be thinking of these lil cuties, their adventures, and everything they taught me all the way. :)
2016 Re-Read: I loOoOoOoOoOove this book. That first sentence still hooks me, and every time I read this I feel like I've gone on an adventure, as cheese balls as that sounds. It still feels like summer. The only thing that's changed is that instead of having a crush on Scott, like I did when I was 12, I definitely switched to having a crush on Scott's uncle. Who should really just carry a mic with him everywhere so he can drop it anytime he says something. Rocky's the coolest.
I picked this book up again because it makes me think of my grandma (whose library card made it possible for me to read this for the first time in 1998), and it reminded me of something I've been dreaming of doing for the last 18 years: go white water rafting! And finally, next weekend, I get to do just that. So so excited. I'll be thinking of these lil cuties, their adventures, and everything they taught me all the way. :)
January 24, 2012
this book is about two brothers whos parents got killed and they are ssent to live with their uncle that they had never seen before.Their uncle gives them a job at his rafting company it all sounds ok but then the oldest brother gregg gets into trouble and starts smoking and drinking. Gregg loses his job at his uncles company and moves in with roger and they decide to go for a midnight run and something goes wrong something that shouldnt have happened and now their lives could be at stake.
This is a great book and i recomend it to anyone that loves to read this book is for everyone.
This is a great book and i recomend it to anyone that loves to read this book is for everyone.
September 20, 2010
this book was good but there was a one thing that i didn't like about it. like for example me being a girl i like the narrator being a girl(its just more interesting for me i guess)and in this book its a teenage boy. one thing that i did like about this book is that even though its a small book it gave just enough information for me to picture the settings and maybe what the characters looks like.
November 23, 2008
This is a great book! It's about two brothers and and their uncle. Since their parents died the went to live with their uncle in Colorado. It's been a bumpy ride since their parents died and the older brother has been having the hardest time. This is a good book because it's very realistic. It's not like aliens come and pick them up and take them to a distant planet.
May 27, 2016
Rough Waters is about two boys who lost their parents in an accident and cant get along as they have to transition to a new way of life. I loved the book because it expressed real problems that go on in real families. It was a good book because of the adventure and struggle that the two boys went through in the book.
June 22, 2012
Scott(15 yr) and Gregg(17 yr) go live with their Uncle Rocky after the death of their parents. Rocky owns a white water rafting co, the boys work for their keeps, learning about each other & dealing w/growing up & the loss of their parents. Lot of rafting action. Great
April 21, 2008
This book entraces the reader and keeps you reading through the night!
April 5, 2008
Oh i love this book its so real and its so interesting. I love S.L. Rotman's books i hope he writes more.
July 29, 2008
I had to read this book for school and it was one of the best books I have ever read!! One thing I don't like though is the cussing in it. Other than that I HIGHLY suggest this book.
Want to read
October 22, 2009This looks like a good book.
March 7, 2011
It was definitely a book for teens, but it was OK! A quick read!
July 26, 2012
Read it in Grade 8 (Age 13) - loved it then! An outdoor-adventure-filled story.
July 22, 2020
Good rafting descriptions; author does a good job of walking through the emotions of losing parents and moving on to a new life, including anger and confusion.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews