# The Earthquake Zipline

When an earthquake traps their otter friends in flooding tunnels, Brandt and Carter find every normal route blocked. With Mr. Tom's help, the boys ride an emergency zipline across the school roof for one daring shot at a rescue.

Ages 5–7. 6 chapters, about 82 minutes.

## What happens

It is setup night for the big science fair at Oxford Elementary when the floor starts to shake. Brandt and Carter drop, cover and hold on, just as they practiced, and the story shows each step clearly. Once the shaking stops, the brothers are safe, but they worry about their otter friends in the tunnels beneath the school.

The next day, with school closed for inspections, the boys sneak off to check on the colony and find locked doors, caution tape and grown-ups telling them to go home. Families will enjoy a suspenseful adventure that explains earthquake safety in a calm way and shows brothers solving problems together.

## From Chapter 1

> The evening sun streamed through the tall windows of Oxford Elementary's multipurpose room as Brandt carefully arranged the final piece of their science fair display. Their project - a detailed model of Strawberry Creek's ecosystem - sat proudly on the table, complete with tiny painted otters that made Brandt smile at the secret meaning only he and Carter knew.
>
> "Does the waterfall look realistic?" Carter asked, adjusting the blue cellophane they'd used to create flowing water.
>
> "It looks great," Brandt assured him. "Pass me the label cards?"
>
> Carter handed over the stack of information cards they'd written about creek habitats, water flow, and local wildlife. Other families bustled around the multipurpose room, setting up their own projects. Tomorrow was the big science fair, but tonight was setup night, and the room buzzed with excited chatter.

## Chapters

1. The Shake
2. Trapped Below
3. No Way Through
4. The Only Way
5. Flying to the Rescue
6. Safe Again