Author: McKenna Andrews

ISBN: 1-4-4116-7216-X

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan:  To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here

Being nine-years old is something in itself, but being musically inclined and athletically talented is nothing short of well rounded. However, McKenna Andrews has raised the bar on what a child is able to accomplish -- to write and publish a book and choosing striking pictures to compliment it.

It has been my pleasure to review "Riding the Storm Out". The fictional tale, inspired by true events, is about a group of dolphins that are accidentally released from captivity into the sea. How could this happen? Nature, of course. The Katrina storm shuts everything down at the aquarium and causes the damage that allows the dolphins to roam the sea. For Noah, it would be his very first time to encounter anything other than his friends and trainer, Izzy.

Carefree and involved in play, Noah isn't immediately aware that a storm is coming. That storm, Katrina, will change his life forever. Sometime during the evening, strange sounds send Noah to his mother's side. Then, a loud crash and a flood of water creates mass confusion. Before Noah realizes it, he is swept into unfamiliar territory -- the open sea.

Noah's mother is nowhere in sight. Even his playmate and friend Jackie has disappeared. "Where was he?" he asks himself. The dolphin is so tired from the excitement that he falls asleep.

The next morning, Noah was sure he had been dreaming the Katrina episode. As he glances around, he realizes that it had not been a dream. "He really was lost, and very frightened."

Noah had been born in the aquarium. The waters he now found himself swimming in was "the biggest tank" he had ever seen. And, "what were all of these strange creatures?"

Noah mistakes a jellyfish for a beautiful flower, attempts to take a bite out of a string-ray, and meets up with a giant octopus that can squirt ink. He also meets up with Zack -- a wildlife dolphin.

Zack introduces Noah to his family and his first "live" lunch, and Noah shares his fascinating story. Zack's mother has heard about humans, but she's not sure if they can be trusted. Noah is excited to have a new friend, but he misses his mother, Izzy, and Jackie.

It has been a splendid day; cruising the ocean floor and seeing sights he might never have seen if Katrina hadn't visited his aquarium. As the sun was setting, "he thought he heard a familiar sound."

Noah swims fast, "sailing through the air like a rocket." The sound grows louder. It is Noah's mother! His mother explains, "The storm had destroyed their aquarium," and they were "left to fend for themselves."

They were together again and Noah's mother "made sure everyone was safe." And the new friends "helped catch food for everyone." Not long after, Noah heard another familiar sound. It was Izzy's whistle!

The trainer was just as excited to see the pod, as they were to see her. After food and medicine, Izzy "began rescuing the weakest." Soon, it was Noah's turn.

Another sunset brings another sadness. It was time for Noah to say good-bye to his new friend, Zack. Noah jumped onto the mat that would take him to safety as "Zack watched him until her could no longer see him."

That night, Noah dreams how he and Zack rule the ocean like kings. Atlantis would be Noah's new home. A home he would share with his mother and Jackie, but Izzy would not be going. He would miss Izzy -- and his friend Zack.

Riding the Storm Out is truly a book from the heart.