Family members separated in a Florida hurricane struggle to get back together, but the waters are rising fast and big cats are on the loose in this sequel to Storm Runners (2011).Taking up the action exactly where the previous episode left off, stranded teenagers Chase and Nicole leave the (supposed) safety of the circus barn to fetch gas for the sputtering generatoronly to run into an escaped lion and, later, a very aggressive leopard. Meanwhile, Chase's father and a TV news crew face flooding territory and multiple other serious dangers as they make their way toward the young folks' refuge. Though the characters show a remarkable ability to carry on conversations in normal tones of voice amid howling winds and flying debris, the action never lags. As the two parties draw toward an eventual reunion Smith's habit of switching his very short chapters back and forth on cliffhangers becomes more a suspense builder than the distraction it was in the opener. Nearly devoid of references to previous events and closing on game-changing news that will be sending the central cast on an emergency mission to Mexico in the next episode, this slice of natural disaster isn't exactly freestanding, but it definitely offers nary a dull moment.A high-velocity page-turner, for all that it's only a segment of a larger arc. (Adventure. 11-13)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 5-8-Roland Smith's second book (Scholastic, 2011) in the series picks up just as Chase, Nicole, and Rashawn have made it back to the relative safety of Nicole's farm. With the category 5 hurricane's winds still raging, floodwaters rising, power out and a generator very low on gas, a very pregnant elephant, and dangerous circus animals on the loose around the farm, there is still danger to face. The events presented take place in just under five hours. Listeners should be familiar with the first title in order to understand this action-packed sequel. Without the added sound effects of the earlier volume, Ramon de Ocampo must rely solely on pacing and voicing to fully express the intensity, fear, and heart-pounding peril. While this is met with uneven success, listeners will be able to visualize the action portrayed and will be on the edge of their seats. The tale ends with a satisfying cliffhanger, leaving listeners waiting for the next installment.-Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.