Three Rivers Rising

Since I grew up and have lived in Johnstown my entire life, I have always had an interest in the Johnstown Flood. As a child I read "The Day it Rained Forever." I always wished that there were more novels written about the Johnstown Flood. I actually wanted to read "In Sunlight, In a Beautiful Garden," but there was no Kindle version. So I chose this instead. What else can I say but WOW. So many parts of this book left me absolutely breathless. The prose is so beautiful, and fits so well with the story. I love how well developed the characters are. Books like this are what make tragedies like the Johnstown Flood really come to life. I have visited the museums countless times. I picnic in South Fork at the 1889 park that overlooks where the dam used to be. Everyday, I drive past the iron bridge where are all the debris collected and burned. But reading this book reminded me of real people who lived and died during one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in American history. I know the characters in the story were not real people, but it does remind you that real people suffered. The same way that Jack and Rose brought the Titanic to life for so many people. This is definitely a book that I will read again and again. I also highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and/or a good love story. This is historical fiction at it's best. Also, even though it is listed as YA, anybody who is a fan of beautiful writing and a great story will enjoy this book.

Young readers will be immersed in history and entertained as they read about a horrible " natural" disaster that could be been prevented.

This is a well written fiction about people from Johnstown and people from the club. It gives insight as to how daughters of wealthy were expected to marry into wealth. It also gives insight into true love, forgiveness, and learning what is most important in life.

Having grown up in South Fork, this fell flat for me. It really could have been set anywhere at any time for all the historical context it contains. The character Kate lends very little value to the tale (if at all) and Maura’s story ends so abruptly and makes little sense for the direction she heads the entire time that you question her weight in the book as well. Celestia and Peter’s story is the meat of the novel, but it’s no (The) Notebook. I wouldn’t recommend. Try In Sunlight in a Beautiful Garden jnstead.

Buy this book. You will not be disappointed. Amazing, well-drawn characters set in an historical event. And after you read the book, check out the audio book. You will weep at its beauty.

Nice historical fiction with 7th grade and above as its target audience. I generally bypass novels written in verse, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. It was quick to get into and held my interest to the very end.

Well-developed characters who confronted more of life's problems than the flood. Very good historical fiction for older teens and adults.

Poorly written. Details not accurate. I was born in Johnstown and disappointed it the novel. Author should have checked her historical facts.