Three Rivers Rising

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the aftermath of a community-wide tragedy or struggling to reconcile personal desires with rigid social expectations. It is a powerful resource for young adults navigating intense grief, as it portrays the sudden and total loss of life and security during the historic Johnstown Flood of 1889. Through the lens of two teenagers from different social classes, the story explores how trauma can strip away superficial barriers, forcing individuals to find resilience and hope in the most harrowing circumstances. Written in lyrical verse, the book balances a forbidden romance with a visceral, historically accurate depiction of a natural disaster. It is best suited for mature readers aged 12 and up due to the intensity of the survival scenes and the emotional weight of mass casualty. Parents will appreciate how the story uses a historical event to model emotional endurance and the importance of finding connection amidst chaos, making it an excellent bridge for discussing how to move forward after a world-shifting event.