-11: The science
from the Winnipeg Free SunWhy does the Red River flood? Year after year the waters rise, then rage. For a time, the people ran from the water; now they try to make the water run from them. (And the people of the Red River Valley are pretty good water wranglers.) I find the “why” fascinating, but that’s not the real issue here. The question is: does anybody else care?
I always have to remind myself that I’m writing for children. I happen to hold children in rather high regard, and probably bestow upon them attributes that may be beyond their years. I’d like to assume that they are as excited by the science of weather as I am, and that putting it in the book will make the story more interesting. Yes, yes, I know I’m entering dangerous territory here. It’s a story, not a lesson. But the science gives context. It’s hard enough to understand why, in an instant, our lives could be changed forever by a tsunami or a tornado or a flood. Wouldn’t it help to at least understand how it happens?
The Red River is particularly interesting in this regard. You see, it runs backwards. Finn would be quick to tell you (he’s the son of a potamologist, remember?) that it doesn’t run backwards, it runs from high to low. But in the case of the Red, “high” is in the south, and “low” is in the north. Which means the river melts first at its headwaters, leaving the bottom reaches frozen and blocked with ice. Of course the river has to flood.
It’s so interesting that I’ve just written a whole science chapter to explain the process, under the guise of a geography lesson for Finn’s class. I tried to make the section short and sweet, but my editor still thinks it’s a little too much. The explanation stops the flow of the story. She’s right, of course. I knew it all along but I didn’t want to let the passage go. So we’ve compromised. It’s in, but it’s short.
I guess this is why this series is almost more popular with adults than kids. Maybe, just maybe, I go a little heavy on the science. Is there a support group for that?
By the way, that’s Alf Warkentin himself in the photo.
