About This Book
Deborah Ellis's 'Keeley and the Mountain' is a poignant historical fiction chapter book set in 1903 Frank, Alberta, during the real-life Frank Slide disaster. The story follows young Keeley, whose ordinary life of school and newspaper plans is abruptly interrupted by a devastating landslide. With her town in ruins and her father missing, Keeley must navigate fear, uncertainty, and the collective struggle for survival. This book sensitively explores themes of grief, resilience, family love, and community spirit in the face of immense tragedy, making it suitable for children aged 4-11. It offers a powerful entry point for discussing historical events, natural disasters, and emotional processing.
Keeley's biggest problem is how to beat Peter in the spelling. Everything changes when a landslide leaves the town of Frank in ruins and Keeleys' father is still missing.
peril_danger
Scary Scenes
separation_from_parent
Character Death
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Keeley show bravery and resilience after the landslide?
2
What emotions do you think Keeley experiences when her father is missing, and how does she cope?
3
How does the community of Frank come together to help each other after the disaster?
4
What did you learn about the Frank Slide and what it was like to live in a mining town in 1903?
5
If you were Keeley, what would be the first thing you would do after the landslide?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.