A Terrible Tide

by Suzanne Meade

November 18th, 1929. In her small village in Newfoundland, Celia is setting the table for her 13th birthday celebration when the house starts to shake. It's an earthquake, rumbling under the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later, the sea water disappears from the harbor, only to rush back in a wave almost 30 feet high, destroying nearly everything in its path. Buildings, boats, and winter supplies of fish and food are washed away, and Celia and her community are devastated. With their only phone line cut off and no safe route to get help, they are isolated and facing a long, cold, hungry winter. Their house destroyed and village in ruins, Celia and her family must band together and share the work needed for the community to survive. Can Celia find the courage to help her injured loved ones? Will help arrive before it's too late Based on the true story of an earthquake that shook Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, A Terrible Tide tells the tale of this forgotten disaster from the point of view of a young girl whose life is turned upside down.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Canada, Historical, Audiobook, Fiction, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2021

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So first and foremost and for me also extremely importantly, I very much do appreciate that while Suzanne Meade’s 2021 middle grade novel A Terrible Tide is fictional with regard to the families portrayed, the events on which A Terrible Tide is based really did occur in November 1929, when an underwater offshore earthquake created a huge tsunami that devastated parts of Newfoundland’s coastline, killed over twenty people and completely destroyed a number of villages (which is enlighteningly shown in the author’s note for A Terrible Tide and not only textually but also with Suzanne Meade providing a number of archival black and white photographs). And yes, if you choose to compare Suzanne Meade’s fictional story of Celia Matthews and her family and how they are affected and devastated by that tsunami, you very quickly realise that with A Terrible Tide Meade not only presents a wonderfully realistic sense of both time and geographic place, that she describes life in a small Newfoundland coastal fishing village like it truly and generally was in the 1920s (and both with regard to culture and to landscape) but that the basics of Suzanne Meade’s narrative also rather totally reflect what really did happen when that huge wave crashed into the coast and basically destroyed everything, people’s houses, people’s fishing boats, people’s food stores.

A readable and engagingly penned story is A Terrible Tide and with Suzanne Meade not only showing how much and how horribly Celia and her family (and of course also her neighbours) end up suffering, but also that when disasters strikes, neighbours are there helping each other (and how as soon as passing ships notice the devastation, they immediately radio for help, for supply ships to provide basic necessities, medicine and also nurses).

Finally, while the ending of A Terrible Tide is definitely more than a trifle depressing, with Celia Matthews and her family deciding to leave their village and to go to the capital city of Newfoundland (to St. John’s) and get help from the father’s sister, this too is based on historical reality (as many families did end up losing so much to the tsunami that leaving, that abandoning the affected villages seemed the only reasonable manner to proceed). Thus while part of me definitely wanted Celia and her family not to leave their home at end of A Terrible Tide, I also both understand why Suzanne Meade has them depart and that this in fact does very much reflect the historical reality.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in November 1929 on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada, this junior novel is based on true events. The story is told through the eyes of Celia, a thirteen year old girl who describes the events that occurred the evening of her birthday on November 18.

Celia was excited to have all her family together for her birthday celebration. As the very cold evening drew to a close, there were vibrations and rumblings from deep inside the Earth. It happened several times throughout the evening.

The small fishing village where her family lived had previously experienced serious Nor’easters, but this time it seemed different. While searching outside for her dog that evening, Celia glanced at the bay. The water was receding…and as she looked up she saw a huge wall of water heading straight for the village……

This story was riveting! Author Suzanne Meade’s vivid descriptions enable you to feel what it was like to live during the tsunami and its aftermath. Middle schoolers will be able to relate to Celia’s thoughts and actions as the story unfolds. This novel would appeal to adults as well!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Suzanne Meade, and Second Story Press for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this work of junior historical fiction.

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟

[Genevieve Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting young reader story about an earthquake and tsunami that hit Newfoundland in 1929. I had never heard of this event, and I enjoyed learning about it through the eyes of Celia and her family.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing portrayal of an earthquake and subsequent tsunami which struck Newfoundland in 1929. Middle-grade/YA story featuring a 13 year old narrator who describes the events and their impacts on herself, her family, and the community.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading A Terrible Tide... oh man what a ride. Meade does a great job getting into the perspective of a child and what they would've experienced during a tsunami in 1929. I can't wait to get this in the hands of more families. I'm going to share it with my student's on Monday.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew that Newfoundland had an earthquake followed by a tidal wave that wiped out several coastal communities in 1929.

This story, even though fictional, was based on true events that actually happened. I loved the historical pictures & note at the end. I would like to read more about this.

Celia is a 13 year old girl who is celebrating her birthday when this catastrophic event hits. What follows is an account, through her eyes, of how the community has to work together, the fear she is feeling, the worries she & the families face, the anxieties of what will happen next, etc.

This would be a great read for elementary students; not just because they would be learning about an historical event that happened in Canada, but also, to show them that others have lived through & survived catastrophic events with a whole lot less than what we have now.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I loved this one! The characters felt so real to me and I loved watching them struggle through their hardships and get through them.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this debut novel so much! It’s got a strong sense of place - I could picture the coastline and the devastation clearly. As Celia makes her way through the terrible experiences of the tidal wave and it’s aftermath, the reader is brought alongside her. I loved the way Celia’s behaviour and thinking were so true to a young person of her age. I highly recommend A Terrible Tide. It would be a great gift for young readers.

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written book about a true tsunami that wiped out a fishing village in New Foundland.

[Anita Ojeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celia Matthews’ 13th birthday celebration starts with a bang. Pots and pans bang to the floor, the walls shake, and Mr. Matthews orders everyone outside before Celia and her little sister Winnie can even finish setting the table for supper.

It’s November 18, 1929, and no one in her small village in Newfoundland has ever felt an earthquake before. While the earthquake frightened everyone, what came next devastated the village. The sea water disappears from the harbor and sweeps back in as a powerful tsunami, destroying everything in its path.

The family dog saves Celia from drowning, and hours later village fishermen rescue Boomer and Celia from their freezing raft. With all the larger boats out of commission, the telephone destroyed, and the telegraph swept away, the village has no way to let the outside world know of their situation.

Only a few buildings remain, and the village must work together to survive with little food as winter sets in. Celia worries about her injured family members and what the future will hold.

What I Liked About This Book

Celia, the narrator, shares something in common with every 13-year-old girl—the struggle to transition from childhood to teen. Her big family brings her both comfort and provides a source of irritation. She must learn how to make do with less than usual. In addition, she learns how she can best help her family recover from the tragedy—even if it means giving up old dreams.

Teachers and librarians looking for a solid historical novel for middle-grade students will want to add this book to their collections.

[T. M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great for kids. It treats its subject maturely, yet remains hopeful. It’s a good way for kids living through this pandemic to relate to their forebearers who also survived disasters. Highly recommended!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/ 5 stars

A Terrible Tale was an educational lesson for me. Being a lover of Canadian HF this one fit the bill nicely with a part of our history I was unfamiliar with. Taking place in 1929 in Newfoundland, A Terrible Tale follows the story of 13 year old Celia whose world is turned upside-down when an earthquake strikes the Atlantic Ocean sending water to her village.

What follows is a story told through her eyes of what her family, friends and neighbours endured. Geared for the middle grade reader it gives enough detail to get a clear picture of the aftermath and the struggle to survive.

A Terrible Tale is a story of family, survival and discovering whats really important.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that Newfoundland experienced an earthquake, followed by a tidal wave in 1929 wiping out several villages along the coastal Burin Peninsula? Neither did I. This middle grade novel features the spirited Celia celebrating her 13th birthday on the eve of the earthquake. It's a story of resilience, courage and bravery and how a village community bands together to rescue those in need while waiting for help from the outside world. The book includes an historical note with B&W photographs.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful children's historical novel. It tells the story of Celia who lives with her family in a small Newfoundland village when a tsunami hits their community. Celia has to find her bravery in the face of a terrifying natural disaster and help her injured family members until help arrives.

[Katrina Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this straight, easy to follow and I was gently invested in Celia's experience and that of her family and community.

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2023 Hackmatack Award in the English Fiction. The story is told through the perspective of a girl named Celia. Set in a small village in Newfoundland in the year 1929, the story is inspired by real events, however the characters are fictional. We begin on the evening of her thirteenth birthday, when an earthquake hits right before supper. The villagers are concerned about the shaking and don't know what caused it, but the real tragedy occurs a few hours later, when a tsunami arrives. Nearly the entire village is completely wiped out - most houses, almost all of the food stores, and critically the only phone lines to communicate with the outside world. Celia manages to survive being washed out to sea only through the help of her trusty canine companion, a giant Newfoundland dog named Boomer. Will help arrive before it is too late? What does the future hold for Celia and her family?
The books ends on a hopeful note, but the story isn't neatly wrapped up in a bow. I think the author did a remarkable job at capturing the mixed-up feelings of being a child on the precipice of adulthood. Celia's voice is authentic, and reading this book feels a lot like being inside the head of a girl torn between wanting to be carefree and the responsibilities that come with growing up. I loved the photos and historical note in the afterward, as I had never before hear about this terrible tragedy. I would recommend this book to people who like historical fiction & family dramas, grades five and up.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictional middle grade story about the real life tsunami that struck the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland. in 1929. This was a very interesting and insightful look at the tragedy told through the eyes of 13 year old Cecelia.

The story may be a bit much for sensitive young readers. The story goes into some details about the desperation of trying to outrun the "wall of water," the fear when getting caught in the waves, and facing your own mortality during the aftermath when seeing the bodies of those who didn't make it.

The book starts out strong and eventful, but slows down when the characters are dealing with the aftermath and destruction. The book not only covers the horror of the tsunami itself, but with the hardships of what comes next.

I love that the author included photographs of some of the actual damage on the Burin Peninsula. It really drove home the magnitude of what happened.

Thank you Net Galley and Second Story Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #ATerribleTide

[Kay S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to think about this going in. I'm not usually a fan of historical novels aimed at children nor novels set in NFLD (because I lived there for a while with my family and they usually get lots wrong. Especially the slang.). I thought this book was actually pretty good. While fairly simple, the plot was engaging with all those little things that go wrong when dealing with large events, a dog readers can fall in love with, and something we can all relate to (family...). I think setting escaping environmental disaster on such a small scale can get kids to better understand what it can be like on a larger scale. Also, I enjoyed the way the family all thought of St. John's as the big city. That definitely tracks.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging historical novel, told from the point of view of 13-year-old Celia, about an earthquake and tsunami that washed away many towns in Newfoundland in 1929. Young Celia's brother and sister are injured in the tidal wave and its aftermath, and Celia herself is nearly swept away. Their home, along with many others in their small fishing village, is destroyed and the community must band together to survive. I loved Celia's matter of fact narration and her bravery in the face of such scary changes in her life.

[ElizabethAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about an earthquake and the resulting tsunami in 1929 Newfoundland. I always enjoy learning something new in my historical fiction and this definitely delivered. The first few chapters were full of action and had me interested immediately. I appreciate that the author spent most of the book dealing with the aftermath, and the impact on the community. It did get a little slow and drag through a few chapters, but overall an enjoyable, informative read.

[Boyschool · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a tidal wave that hit Newfoundland in 1929. The fictional characters are a family made up of several children, parents and grandparents, and the story really has a great sense of love for family. The tidal wave really did happen, and it was interesting to read about how it must have been for all the people living along the coast. I also appreciated the pictures at tthe back of the book. This book would be appropriate historical fiction for any middle grader.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this book takes place on November 18, 1929 in a small village in Newfoundland. The day seems normal and Celia is set on celebrating her 13th birthday when an earthquake under the Atlantic Ocean produces a Tsunami. What follows is her account of the turmoil, devastation and courage of a community trying to survive and move on. The story is compelling and inspiring.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written or well edited. The dialogue-heavy prose flows smoothly and is incredibly easy to read. No fat.

Strong character voice and compelling enough story. Since the entire story is dealing with an aftermath of a disaster, it lacks a proper climax. Lacking some sort of emotional “punch”.

Being exceedingly readable, I see this as a perfect first real novel for young people.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting telling of an unknown event in Canada's (then the Dominion of Newfoundland's) history.

I didn't like the characters - this was written for young readers and perhaps they might identify with the voices more but I found the style of writing got in the way of the interesting story.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would think fans of Little House or Anne of Green Gables would enjoy this--same energy. This story is fictionalized but based on the experiences of actual people in an actual disaster in the 1920s in coastal Canada.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book club selection.

Really enjoyed this story that told of a little known natural disaster. The style of writing felt so period appropriate and reminded me of the fiction I used to read when I was younger.

[Yeslech · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newfoundland earthquake and tsunami on November 18, 1929.

"I needed a tree with broken branches that had started to heal. The pin sap would collect there and begin to harden."-- the sap would be used to close a cut and keep it from getting infected

[Rachelle VP · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little YA novel about the earthquake/tsunami
/aftermath in Newfoundland in 1929. This was really well done, and a great way for kids to learn about an event in Canadian history (I had never heard of it!). I enjoyed it as an adult too!

[Keitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and easy to read little novel about a little known disaster in Canadian history.