Eric Walters certainly knows what topics will appeal to young readers. In his newest publication, Wave, the subject is the 2004 Christmas tsunami in Thailand. Having recently read We All Fall Down and its sequel, United We Stand, both dealing with the events and aftermath of 9/11 from the perspective of a young boy and his father, I can see the progression of themes related to global issues. From Hurricane Hazel in Safe as Houses, to homelessness and genocide in Shattered, the young people in his books give a different perspective to these important global issues.
What is it that makes tragic events such as 9/11 or the sinking of the Titanic so interesting to readers? Is it the mystery of why something happened? The suffering that people endured? The empathy for people like ourselves dealing with difficult circumstances? Or perhaps, it is the connections we make with the events and the characters dealing with them? Whatever the case may be, Eric Walters is certainly capitalizing on it as he continues to write award-winning material.
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