River Friendly, River Wild

By Jane Kurtz, Neil Brennan (Illustrator)

A family flees a rising river, leaving behind their cat. Will they find safety and a home to return to?

4.5/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 33 ratings

40 pages· 2,426 words· Est. 19 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

As the river rises, a girl and her family evacuate, leaving their beloved cat behind. Days turn into weeks, and they grapple with uncertainty: Is their pet safe? Will they have a home to return to? Through evocative poems, this story captures the resilience needed to rebuild after a flood, inspired by true events. It's a poignant journey of courage and hope, exploring the impact of loss and the strength found in community.

From the publisher

This winter was snowy, this spring brought a terrible blizzard, and now the river is rising. Sandbags don’t stop it, the dikes don’t stop it, and late one night sirens warn everyone to evacuate. A girl and her family don’t expect to be gone more than a couple of days, so they leave their cat and race for shelter with only a suitcase each. But as days stretch into weeks they worry: Is the cat safe? Will they have a home to return to? And how will their lives be changed? In searing, personal poems, Jane Kurtz explores what it’s like to struggle through a flood and pull your life together afterward. Inspired by Kurtz’s own flood experience, this tale is realistic and unforgettable. Not just a moving story of one girl’s courage, River Friendly, River Wild is a tribute to everyone who’s ever faced great loss.

Awards

Golden Kite Award (2001)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 2,426
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD630L

Themes & topics

Books about nature Books about water Books about leaving home Books about courage Books about weather

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.5

out of 7

4.5

“This book is wonderful for creating empathy for the victims of natural disasters and what it feels like lose all your worldly possessions and try to put the pieces back together. The writing is beautiful as well, and while it may not be one that you'll be drawn to return to again and again for story time, it's a great read for getting a peek at someone else's reality.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

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