The Flood at Reedsmere

Cleveland and New York: World Publishing Co, 1968. First American edition. 8vo. 204 pp. plus two pp. historical notes and author and illustrator biography. Very good to fine./Crisp, bright dust jacket is in very good to fine condition.. Illustrated by Robin Jacques. Trapped by the rising waters of a sudden disastrous flood, Mark Vaughan and his sister Mary managed to find a boat and escape; but the great storm continued, sweeping over the coast of England and taking many lives. Mark and Mary - and an American friend with a rubber dinghy-set out heroically to rescue some of their neighbors. Suspense and rear mount as the waters rise higher and old Jim and Hepzie Foulger in their cottage on the shore, Mrs. Beamish and Myrtle who live at the post office, Canon Crowfoot and the choir marooned in the church, and the man others stranded in the little Norfolk village of Reedsmere are in desperate danger.

Though this story is set in England, the threat of flood is a universally familiar situation and young American readers will identify with Mark and Mary and their bravery in an emergency that could happen anywhere. Based on a true incident, this is an exceptionally well-written and fast-moving story by Carnegie Medal winner Hester Burton. Exquisitely detailed drawings by Robin Jacques illustrate this distinguished book.