Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key (review)

Cort is used to terrible storms in southern Alabama, but when he and his father accidentally get separated (Cort’s dad goes to help his estranged wife and then another key adult goes to find Cort’s dad), thirteen-year-old Cort is left with two neighbor girls during something even bigger: a Category 3 hurricane. A series of disasters sends the kids out into the night, on the run from rising floodwaters and terrified animals; when they perch in a tree, shivering and exhausted, venomous snakes also start taking refuge in the branches. In the background, Key weaves in the family drama that led to Cort’s being abandoned by his earnest but short-sighted dad on the night of the storm, adding emotional tension to the mix. Interestingly, it is clear that Cort’s fury at his dad is actually what propels him through obstacles and allows him to keep going even when he and the girls seem like they aren’t going to make it. Survival and wilderness adventure buffs will rejoice at this book that is purely in their camp—there’s no magic or romance or fantasy here, just a kid trying to keep everyone alive through a couple of the worst days of his life. An author’s note details his own experiences with similar storms and indicates the portions of the novel that are researchable truth.