Williwaw!

Tom Bodett's 'Williwaw!' is a gripping adventure story set in the Alaskan wilderness, following 13-year-old September and her 12-year-old brother, Ivan. Left largely to their own devices while their father fishes, the siblings make the dangerous decision to take their boat out, only to be trapped in a fierce williwaw, a type of storm that tragically claimed their mother's life years prior. The narrative skillfully interweaves the immediate peril of the storm with themes of responsibility, self-sufficiency, and the deep bond between siblings. Parents will appreciate the lessons on boat safety, respect for nature's power, and the importance of honesty, all wrapped in a suspenseful, character-driven tale. It's an excellent choice for discussing consequences and resilience with middle-grade readers.

In their father's absence, thirteen-year-old September and her younger brother Ivan disobey his orders by taking the boat out on their Alaska bay, where they are caught in a terrifying storm called a williwaw.