Night of the Twisters

by Ivy Rickman

2003

Ages: 9-12

Genre(s): Historical Fiction

Summary: Two young boys, Dan and Arthur, are alone with Dan's baby brother when the tornado siren goes off in Grand Island, Nebraska.  This fictional account of the night in 1980 when 7 tornadoes hit Grand Island and destroyed many homes and claimed 4 lives.  The terror these residents experienced and the courage many displayed is well portrayed.

My reaction:  Though we lived in western Nebraska, I remember hearing about the terrifying night in Grand Island, Nebraska.  Ivy Rickman does a great job of relaying feelings the victims experienced and the many acts of bravery that are seen in a tragedy such as this.

Activities: Have students research tornadoes and find out what the different measurements of tornadoes mean.  They can then compare them to the Grand Island tornadoes on that night. 

Great site to see tornadoes and intensity.

Have students do a book talk and include how tragedies bring out our courage to help others and will to live.