Wave

by Eric Walters

It's December 2004 and Sam and his parents are leaving frostbitten Ontario for a vacation in lush, sun-soaked Thailand. Sam's sister Beth is staying behind. She drives her family to the airport to bid them farewell, not knowing that what awaits them is a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions.

Over the next few days, Sam will find himself thrust into the very centre of a crisis he could never have anticipated, one that will test his instinct to survive.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Canada, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

Eric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.

Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.

Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).

"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.

Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.

Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.

The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).

Reviews

[Lori Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 12 year old told me that I had to read this. He rarely recommends that I read his books but each time that he has I have been pleased with his choice. It likely was written for a 11-13 year old audience but I thought it was a great read. Once I got through the first couple of chapters it was very difficult to put down.

[Tasha-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the giant Canadian author junkie that I am, people find it weird that Ive never read Eric Walters before. I decided to start with Wave for two reasons: I remember being glued to the television set when the tsunami disaster in Thailand happened because I just couldnt wrap my brain around such massive disaster and because I am going to Thailand this fall and I have always been interested in that country. So when I picked up this book I expected a decent story, Ive always been told that Eric Walters is a fantastic writer, but I didnt expect what I got. This book is shelved in the 9-12 section at work and I thought it would be pretty edited. It wasnt. I think this book would be better suited in the Teen section. *SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT* I started reading it thinking "How lovely, you are all enjoying your beautiful paradise happy lovely vacation...little do you know what is coming...." I really thought it would end in sunshine and rainbows. Wow was I wrong. It wasnt that at all.....I definitely look forward to reading more of his work in the near future.

[Toby Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Canadian man who can write fiction based on true events in the most heart wrenching ways.
Wave was a well done novel sharing the story of the 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand and many other countries. We follow Sam and Beth, through there journey of terror and heartbreak. We watch a good family vacation become one of the most fatal natural disasters known too man. We meet true to heart people like Steve and Lulu. This novel shares how disasters can hurt many. Yet hearts will still be open. The ones with the biggest hears may be sacrificed. But their sacrifice will have impacted others lives in a magnificent way
Eric Walters has a way of making a reader really think and sympathize with his characters. He does not shy away from death as tragedy is something we all face. I will continue my Walters binge of heartwrenching stories

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It needs a better ending!

[Suzanne Montigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

a compelling story

This story was very compelling. I’d hoped for a happier ending, but this was so much more realistic. Well. Done, Eric.

[Jenna Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I really like how the author took the time to be descriptive about the setting of Thailand before and after the tsunami happened. It really allowed me to create imagery in my head and actually feel for the victims of this real life event - the unlucky ones who have lost their families, or who’s homes were destroyed. However the reason I give this 3 stars was because I found the ending too rushed. I think the ending could have been longer and less story could have been spent by Beth searching. How about after she found Sam? What happens when they return to New York? And yes, never finding the mother creates suspense but it isn’t until the second last page in the book we discover Beth never finds her mother. I think we should have spent more time talking about what happens next for Beth’s family because she is the main character. And less time with unnecessary characters placed in the end of the story like blondie, ryan, and lulu. Which serve nothing really to Beth at all.

[Cardmaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's December 2004 and Sam and his parents are leaving frostbitten Ontario for a vacation in lush, sun-soaked Thailand. Sam's sister Beth is staying behind. She drives her family to the airport to bid them farewell, not knowing that what awaits them is a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions.

Over the next few days, Sam will find himself thrust into the very centre of a crisis he could never have anticipated, one that will test his instinct to survive.

I think this book would do well as a YA book but not so much for adults. It's very simplistic and really there isn't much to the story. The tsunami hits, Beth jumps on a plane to Thailand, gets a helicopter to Phuket when no-one else can, is given food and water by the pilot and then walks three miles with no problems. I upped my rating to a three star because it's definitely a YA book.

[Julie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping, intense book! The ending is abrupt but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The ending feels raw and real, as it should, given the immensity of the tsunami and the mass destruction. While devastating, I closed this book believing Beth and Sam would go on to live out the values they had learned from their parents. A heartbreaking story with a glimmer of a hopeful future for two young people wise beyond their years.

[Linda Cousens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written story about the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand and other SE Asian countries. I remember watching it on TV and not being able to grasp the enormity of the worst natural disaster in history. I love how Eric Walters was able to write this story so you could truly understand this tragic event.

[To Read Pile Too Big · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read several of Eric’s books previously and have enjoyed them all. With this one, the first 50 pages or so, I couldn’t get into the story. I guess I just couldn’t relate to rich Americans who fly halfway across the world every single year. This couldn’t be further from my childhood. I almost stopped reading. However, once the tsunami hit, the book was interesting and I learned a lot.

[Mackenzey B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This had been sitting on my shelf for years and I finally picked it up this morning. I’m not the biggest fan of middle grade books and I think that was the only real turn off for me. I found the writing a little flat but the story engaging.

[El Charbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book atleadt 8 times..
Based off of the 2007 tailand tsunami, an American family travel there for their Christmas break. Until horror stuck and devastation happens 🤭 Very overwhealming and easy to read

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 year old Megan would have given this a higher rating haha. A classic Eric Walters to pass the time while I wait for my work to load.

If anyone knows a more Adult Fiction version of this I would be keen.

[lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the first book ive read as a kid in third grade where i read the whole book and understood every single thing and wrote ab why i liked it. before i'd read books and loved it but this book showed me why i loved reading. i couldnt tell u what its ab now other than natural disaster but

[Alexander Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad but good.

[Iodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the Tsunami in Indonesia Walters has again written a very interesting story about a family on vacation in Thailand and how they are affected by the WAVE. I could not put it down.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of the books I have read by this author. I do see why it would be good but just didn't hit the mark for me.

[M.T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good but sad at the same time.

[abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

👌

[Logan Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

neat

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good

[Ethan]

It's a good book with some suspense. It gets sad near the end after her parents both die.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Eric Walters fan and when I first read this book I was blown away. It’s very heartwarming and beautiful and I think it needs more recognition.

[🌷Alexis Kupidy🌷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this awhile ago but I remember not putting it down! It is such an amazing book based off of the tsunami in 2004. Amazing read

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a short novel, which is why I thought it was a little unrealistic. It still made me emotional though, so four stars!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was a fun read that made me want to know what happened to the characters. The main problem I had was that I got bored a couple of time throughout the book.

[Bethany]

Amazing! so emotional at the end!!

[Bri]

dmdkdkdd

[Niki Gaudet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by the same author as We All Fall Down. Great for any age group to read, and gives you such a good perspective as to what some of the people went through during the 2004 Tsunami

[Stacey Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very realistic!