Good readers make a reading plan based upon the book's difficulty, length, and importance. Good readers set a purpose for reading . Look at the picture on the cover and read page 3. Skim through the book looking at the illustrations. List 3 or more questions that you think will be answered when you read the book.
Good readers make predictions.
List what you think some of the major events will be. The New York Times Newspaper article written immediately after the flood. The Johnstown Flood of 1889 - from the National Parks Service. An excellent resource including a bibliography, photographs, eye-witness accounts, and timelines. The History of the Johnstown Flood Text and photos from 1889 account of the Johnstown Flood, by Willis Fletcher Johnson.