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. 

Kindle, 208 pages

Expected publication: September 28th 2021 

by Second Story Press

4/5 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.