River Friendly, River Wild Book

On TV we watch our city where people navigate the river-streets in any way they can....

"Look." Max points. "it's Sarah's house."

All I see is roof.

In searing personal poems, Jane Kurtz explores what it's like to struggle through a flood and pull your life together afterward. Inspired by Kurtz's own flood experience, this tale is realistic and unforgettable. Not just a moving story of one girl's courage, River Friendly, River Wild is a tribute to everyone who's ever faced great loss.

The Five Owls

From the perspective of a young girl experiencing the power and devastation of the Red River Valley flood of 1997, Jane Kurtz uses a diary format of poetry to capture with visual imagery the ranges of emotions transpiring in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Red River Valley, "stitching North Dakota and Minnesota together" is but one example of the rich descriptive language which describes for us the visual image of the area. The river as a companion to the people living in the valley is an integral comforting part of their lives, history and culture. Kurtz shows that the river running wild changes this relationship forever. Kurtz begins her poems with the events of the April beginnings of spring. In almost surreal progression, it is shocking to realize that a blizzard, flood and fire have transpired over the span of only one month. By May, a life once known to all has changed forever. Set in the neighborhood of Lincoln Drive, a close-knit community where you could borrow a cup of sugar from anyone, the flood brings families even closer together as they desperately work to preserve their special community. The sandbagging, and packing, just in case, foreshadows the events to come. Kurtz has used not only her own experiences, but a composite of those from her family and friends. The accompanying illustrations and use of color and light throughout the book are beautiful. The warmth of the friendly river is seen in golden hues, the sharp feel of the blizzard is found in the precise white brush strokes against a dark sky. The changed river threatening to cross the dike is represented in a double page spread in ominous thundercloud gray. Soggy, slimy artifacts from homes on the street cornerhave a flat, mudlike appearance. The light and hope represented throughout the tragedy are found in the friendships and lives not lost. The support of the Red Cross, FEMA, and countless volunteers are acknowledged during the text without invalidating the little girl's feelings of sadness and hate at the river for her losses. The book closes with the thought that although some tangible memories are gone forever, there are new memories to be made. Three glass Christmas angels have been found intact and will serve as a reminder to hold tight to the old memories. The final text and illustration shimmer and glimmer in complete harmony. This is a marvelous book not only for flood victims of the Red River Valley, but for children and adults alike experiencing the devastation of natural disasters. Effective as an educational tool, River Friendly River Wild might serve very useful as a bridge for teaching children in our country about natural disasters around the globe. This book is highly recommended for all ages as a read-a-loud, a reflective silent read, and as an important educational resource. 2000, Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Stephanie Harty — The Five Owls, May/June 2000 (Vol. 14 No. 5)