I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964 (I Survived #23) - by Lauren Tarshis (Paperback)

About the Book

It was 1964 in the brand-new state of Alaska, a vast land of staggering beauty and heart-stopping dangers. Eleven-year-old Jack had grown up living happily with his parents in an off-the-grid cabin, miles from their closest neighbors. Grizzlies and wolves outnumbered people, and dark winter days were 30 degrees below zero. Jack had always thought of himself as strong--"Alaska tough". But then the most powerful earthquake in American history--the Good Friday Earthquake--struck. The 9.2 magnitude quake lasted nearly five minutes, destroying downtown Anchorage and sending 30-foot tsunamis into coastal cities, wiping out entire communities. Its vibrations were felt around the world. In the end, it caused billions of dollars in damage and the death of 129 people. Includes a section of nonfiction backmatter with more facts and photos about the real-life event.

Book Synopsis

The Great Alaska Earthquake is the largest and most powerful recorded earthquake in US history. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving this terrifying natural disaster pounds with page-turning action and heartwarming hope.

It was 1964 in the brand-new state of Alaska, a vast land of staggering beauty and heart-stopping dangers. Eleven-year-old Jack had grown up living happily with his parents in an off-the-grid cabin, miles from their closest neighbors. Grizzlies and wolves outnumbered people, and dark winter days were 30 degrees below zero. Jack had always thought of himself as strong -- "Alaska tough". But then the most powerful earthquake in American history -- the Good Friday Earthquake -- struck.

The 9.2 magnitude quake lasted nearly five minutes, destroying downtown Anchorage and sending 30-foot tsunamis into coastal cities, wiping out entire communities. Its vibrations were felt around the world. In the end, it caused billions of dollars in damage and the death of 129 people.

New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tells the story of the disaster that changed our understanding of earth science -- and tested one boy in ways he never could have imagined. Includes a section of nonfiction backmatter with more facts and photos about the real-life event.

Review Quotes

Praise forI Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: "Expressive illustrations capture the drama of the storm and its aftermath, but the book's real power comes from its exploration of what it means to be a hero." -- Booklist

Praise forI Survived the American Revolution, 1776: "Tarshis successfully blends historical fact with an involving narrative." -- School Library Journal

Praise forI Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79: ​​​​​​"Tarshis serves up another gripping adventure... with the light-speed pacing and death-defying maneuvering fans have come to expect." -- Booklist ​​​

Praise forI Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863: "Informative and breathlessly paced." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise forI Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001: "[Tarshis] crafts a dramatic, emotionally intense tale that takes account of 9/11's physical and emotional costs -- short- and longterm -- while ending on an upward beat." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise forI Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916: "A gripping story that will hold the interest of reluctant readers." -- School Library Journal

Praise forI Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: The fast pace and intrinsically fascinating disaster story will keep readers turning the pages." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters and times of turmoil. Lauren has brought her signature warmth and exhaustive research to topics such as the battle of D-Day, the American Revolution, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and other world events. She lives in Connecticut with her family, and can be found online at laurentarshis.com.