Earthquake Terror: Chapters 3–5

by Peg Kehret
Twelve-year-old Jonathan Palmer; his six-year-old and partially-paralyzed sister, Abby; and their parents are camping in Northern California when an earthquake hits. Separated from their parents, and without food, water, or help, Jonathan, Abby, and their dog, Moose, have to survive the devastating quake and find their way to safety.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–5, Chapters 6–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–16
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. relinquish
    release, as from one's grip
    Frantically, he crawled to his left, rushing to get out of the tree’s path.
    The roots ripped loose slowly, as if not wanting to relinquish their century-long hold on the dirt.
  2. devastation
    the state of being decayed or destroyed
    He remembered magazine pictures of terrible devastation from earthquakes: homes toppled, highways buckled, cars tossed upside down, and people crushed in debris.
  3. undulate
    move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
    Keeping one arm around Abby’s waist, he got to his hands and knees and began crawling forward on the undulating ground.
  4. uproot
    pull up by or as if by the roots
    He pulled her to the trunk of the huge redwood tree that had uprooted.
  5. pungent
    strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell
    The dry forest floor scratched his cheek as he inhaled the pungent scent of dead leaves.
  6. upheaval
    a violent disturbance
    As suddenly as it had begun, the upheaval stopped. Jonathan was unsure how long it had lasted. Five minutes? Ten?
  7. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    The air was completely still. After the roar of the earthquake, the silence seemed both comforting and ominous.
  8. aftershock
    a tremor following the main tremor of an earthquake
    Jonathan crouched, covering his head. It was a single jolt this time, an aftershock. It lasted only five seconds, but that was long enough to send Jonathan’s blood racing through his veins. He wondered how many more aftershocks there would be.
  9. empathy
    understanding and entering into another's feelings
    He felt a rush of empathy, thinking what it would be like to be unable to swing your legs out of bed in the morning and walk unaided to the closet for your clothes.
  10. consciously
    with awareness
    Jonathan took a deep breath, consciously trying to calm himself.
  11. disbelief
    doubt about the truth of something
    “It will take too long to go around.” Seeing the look of disbelief on Abby’s face, he added, “I’ll help you. Put your back next to the tree. Rest your legs against it.”
  12. tremor
    a small earthquake
    Even small shakes, Jonathan thought, create fear, because we don’t know until it’s done that it is small. Every tiny tremor might be the start of another big one.
  13. disinfectant
    a chemical or agent that destroys harmful microorganisms
    When they got back to the camper, he would feel safe again. He would get out the first aid kit and put some disinfectant on Abby’s scrapes, and on his own scratched arms and legs.
  14. clamber
    climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
    Jonathan cleared more branches from what used to be the trail and hoisted Abby over yet another fallen tree. Moose clambered over, too.
  15. bile
    a digestive juice secreted by the liver
    A prickle of horror ran down the back of his neck and into his arms and legs.
    The redwood tree had landed on their camper.
    Bile rose in Jonathan’s throat. He swallowed fast, trying not to throw up.
Created on Mon Sep 22 20:38:37 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Nov 11 12:32:29 EST 2025)

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