Terror at Bottle Creek

Set on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, this fast-paced adventure traces 13-year-old Cort’s daring attempt to keep two neighbor girls alive during a hurricane. The action begins when Cort’s father, a river guide, puts him in charge of taking care of Liza and her younger sister, Francie, at the onset of the storm while their mother is away. Cort feels overwhelmed by the responsibility, but his anxiety turns to terror when Francie ventures outside and goes missing. It’s up to Cort to save her, but the water outside is rapidly rising, and even more dangerous than the raging hurricane are the crazed wild animals emerging from the nearby swamp. Pitting humans against nature, Key (Fourmile) brings to life the eerie quality of the Alabama swampland and the hidden dangers that lurk around every corner. Short, cliffhanger chapters will keep even the most reluctant readers engrossed, and Cort’s muddled emotions, stemming from his parents’ separation and his crush on Liza, add complexity to this gripping novel. Ages 10–13. [em]Agent: Lisa Erbach Vance, Aaron Priest Literary Agency. (Jan.) [/em]