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23rd out of 45 books
—
16 voters
Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917
On December 6, 1917 two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. One ship was loaded top to bottom with munitions and one held relief supplies, both intended for wartorn Europe. The resulting blast flattened two towns, Halifax and Dartmouth, and killed nearly 2,000 people. As if that wasn't devastating enough, a blizzard hit the next day, dumping more than a foot of snow on the...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
November 22nd 2011
by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
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Great book! It's the kind of non-fiction I like best, with a combination of facts and personal narrative, all told with a sweeping movement and intensity. The introductory chapters, where we hear about who went to work and who went to school and who stayed home sick and who only went to school in the afternoon, were unbearable as I waited to find out which of these places was safe and which wasn't. As is right and proper in juvenile non-fiction, much of the book focuses on children's experiences...more
Two ships collided in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on December 6, 1917. One was heavily laden with munitions bound for the European front of World War I. The result was the largest man-made explosion in history until the atom bomb. I am a history buff, yet I had never heard of it until I read Candace Millard's Destiny of the Republic. Millard mentions the explosion in the early part of her excellent biography of James A. Garfield. That snippet intrigued me, so when Blizzard of Glass came...more
Novel #7: I was interested by this book because I do have an interest in history and I am always open to learning new things that I have not recently learned about--such as the Halifax explosion, which is a big part of Canada's history in the early 1900's. Although I did think the beginning of the novel did start out a bit slow, it did get much more interesting. The author had a very delicate way of painting a vivid picture of what was really going on in the nonfiction novel in order to give the...more
In early December, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax, Nova Scotia harbor: a cargo ship loaded with TNT and other explosives, and a ship filled with relief supplies. The resulting explosion killed upwards of 2,000 people changing lives and the town forever.
This was the kind of disaster I had a hard time believing I knew nothing about before reading this book. It changed so many lives, and like 9/11 in more recent times, was a tragedy that extended far beyond those directly involved. As I read...more
This was the kind of disaster I had a hard time believing I knew nothing about before reading this book. It changed so many lives, and like 9/11 in more recent times, was a tragedy that extended far beyond those directly involved. As I read...more
There was an explosion in 1917 that killed about 2,000 people in Halifax, Canada. Did you know about that? I sure didn't. But wow, what a story. There were two boats that crashed. But even worse is that one of the boats was totally loaded with TNT and other such things to help with the war in Europe. The result was the biggest explosion until the atomic bomb.
The interesting thing about how Sally Walker tells the story is that she doesn't just tell facts about what happened. She tells the story...more
The interesting thing about how Sally Walker tells the story is that she doesn't just tell facts about what happened. She tells the story...more
1 like · like · see review
Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker is the true story of a horrific ship collision in Halifax Harbour that resulted in a blast that flattened two towns, Halifax and Dartmouth, and killed nearly 2,000 people.
Wlaker's storytelling, based on original source material, conveys this harrowing account of tragedy and recovery. The book particularly follows members of six families: the Pattison's, O'Brien's, Coleman's, Hook's, Lonecloud's and MacDonald's, before and after...more
Wlaker's storytelling, based on original source material, conveys this harrowing account of tragedy and recovery. The book particularly follows members of six families: the Pattison's, O'Brien's, Coleman's, Hook's, Lonecloud's and MacDonald's, before and after...more
I'd never heard of this: Dec 1917, a munitions ship collided with another in the Halifax, NS docks and the resulting blast destroyed two towns. Within seconds, buildings were leveled for a mile, glass gone for more, and thousands of people were dead and then there was a tsunami and ten minutes of black oil TNT rain. And then the next day, when they were trying to rescue people buried alive in buildings, there was a blizzard. Disaster after disaster. This followed several families, some of whom p...more
I picked up an Advance Reader’s Edition of this book at the annual conference of the American Library Association last month. Technically, I am too biased to review it: Sally Walker is a friend and Henry Holt is publishing my own next book. But I’m not the sort of girl that would let those things sway her into praising a book she didn’t love ... and I love this book too much not to sing about it.
In 1917, a ship carrying munitions into Halifax Harbor collided with another ship, setting off what w...more
In 1917, a ship carrying munitions into Halifax Harbor collided with another ship, setting off what w...more
2 likes · like · see review
Umh, I think I might be crazy because all I've heard about this book is how amazing it is and how no one can put it down. I read it hoping to find some nonfiction books for our 7th and 8th grade teachers for next year.
It was a really interesting topic. And some of the information in it was fascinating. I definetly want to know more about this moment in history. But, the author's voice was irritating and condescending. It's very difficult to write ya nonfiction well, and I don't think this is a g...more
It was a really interesting topic. And some of the information in it was fascinating. I definetly want to know more about this moment in history. But, the author's voice was irritating and condescending. It's very difficult to write ya nonfiction well, and I don't think this is a g...more
I knew nothing of the Halifax Explosion that was the largest man-made explosion until the atomic bombs dropped. The subject matter was fascinating but I think Walker could have done a better job in crafting the story. The photographs were great including illustrations but the addition of all of the different families (their jobs, their home life, who was sick, who was walking to school) left it too mundane to really want to muddle through. I wanted THE STORY. I wanted the thoughts, actions, what...more
I had never heard of the Halifax Explosion, which was the largest man-made explosion until atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Sally Walker takes us through the events that led to the explosion and traces the story of several families affected by the day's events. The primary source documents and objects were used to full effect in describing the explosion. The story itself was interesting and the narrative easy to follow. The follow up and recommended resources are helpful for students or tea...more
Awesome, freaky and terrifying -- and how had I never heard of the Halifax Explosion, the biggest man-made explosion before Hiroshima? These Canadians are really too quiet and unassuming.
The book is super-suspenseful as the author ticks off what each member of several families living near the harbor was doing on the morning that two ships -- one laden with munitions -- converged. The tick-tick-tick tone of it all is sickeningly scary, super-cinematic, kind of puke-inducing. You have no idea as...more
The book is super-suspenseful as the author ticks off what each member of several families living near the harbor was doing on the morning that two ships -- one laden with munitions -- converged. The tick-tick-tick tone of it all is sickeningly scary, super-cinematic, kind of puke-inducing. You have no idea as...more
"The Halifax Harbour explosion story is a tale of devastation and despair. It is equally a tale of recovery and hope." I couldn't agree with this statement more. I hope the book hits the target audience of kids and they get an itch for history as well as the strength of kindness and charity in the event of tragedy. I hadn't even heard of this event which after reading the book have learned was completely awful- truly & horrific but yet the outpouring of assistance was numbing - particularly...more
A stunning recounting of an enormous explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1917 that few Americans probably even have heard of. A ship carrying nearly 3,000 tons of explosives destined for Europe during World War I stopped at Halifax harbor and, due to miscommunication, was rammed by another boat, causing the largest man-made explosion before the atomic bomb in Hiroshima years later.
Author Sally Walker follows the lives of the ordinary citizens of Halifax going about their daily routines the morn...more
Author Sally Walker follows the lives of the ordinary citizens of Halifax going about their daily routines the morn...more
The Mont-Blanc, retrofitted for the war effort, and the IMO a Belgium Relief ship, both doing their duty.The two ships both ended up in Halifax Bay as many ships did as it was a busy seaport in Nova Scotia before heading to Europe.
Both ships were helmed by good solid captains and crew, but the fateful day, Dec 6th 1917, their paths would cross and history would never be the same.
The ships collide and an explosion that was the largest ever until the bomb was dropped on Japan occurred,following th...more
Both ships were helmed by good solid captains and crew, but the fateful day, Dec 6th 1917, their paths would cross and history would never be the same.
The ships collide and an explosion that was the largest ever until the bomb was dropped on Japan occurred,following th...more
Jan 08, 2012
Joan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
adventure fans, disaster fans, Titanic fans
I'll echo what someone else said: Hand this to your Titanic fans when they run out of material....btw the 100 anniversary of Titanic is this coming April. Be prepared for everything Titanic... Actually the Titanic gets mentioned in this book because the Halifax area actually helped shelter Titanic survivors just a few years earlier. This was the closest town to where the Titanic survivors were brought to land. This was exciting and had me crying at times. I did like the fact that Walker emphasiz...more
A first had account about how the Halifax explosion of 1917 affected the lives of five families on that fateful day. The author goes into great detail to provide the reader with the facts and assumptions that revolved around that day. She also includes the implications that Halifax was bombed by the Germans even though it was an accident which caused the explosion. Graphic in some detail but necessary to paint a visual and realistic image of the destruction caused by the Halifax Explosion, this...more
Nonfiction: I did not enjoy this book. It is most likely because I usually do not like nonfiction novels but in addition to that I thought this book moved incredibly slow. With that being said, I did find it interesting how Sally Walker had various perspectives of the disaster instead of one single person, or simply stating facts. I also loved the pictures that went along with the book, which is a common aspect of nonfiction literature. Not on was Sally able to recreate the event with words, but...more
Sally M. Walker needs to write ALL of the nonfiction books. Ghosts in the Fog? She so should have written that. Because holy cow, this woman is good at her job.
Before reading this book I had no clue about the Halifax Harbor explosion, but now I feel informed with an extra push to maybe learn more. Walker accomplishes her task through a careful, chronological narration of events. She follows a few families through the disaster to concentrate the human story (and keep us from being overwhelmed by...more
Before reading this book I had no clue about the Halifax Harbor explosion, but now I feel informed with an extra push to maybe learn more. Walker accomplishes her task through a careful, chronological narration of events. She follows a few families through the disaster to concentrate the human story (and keep us from being overwhelmed by...more
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In December of 1917, several ships containing hazardous chemicals in the harbor of Halifax collided. The resulting explosion was the biggest man made one until Hiroshima. Not only did the heat and shock waves destroy all of the buildings nearby, but the resultant tsunami also caused major damage. Thousands died. The devastation was incalculable, and this book does an excellent job of explaining this for middle grade readers-- after an introduction of how things aligned for this to occur, the cat...more
Recommended Ages: grades 5 and up
"On December 6, 1917 two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. One ship was loaded top to bottom with munitions and one held relief supplies, both intended for wartorn Europe. The resulting blast flattened two towns, Halifax and Dartmouth, and killed nearly 2,000 people. As if that wasn't devastating enough, a blizzard hit the next day, dumping more than a foot of snow on the area and paralyzing much-needed relief efforts."
This was a very well-told historical accoun...more
"On December 6, 1917 two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. One ship was loaded top to bottom with munitions and one held relief supplies, both intended for wartorn Europe. The resulting blast flattened two towns, Halifax and Dartmouth, and killed nearly 2,000 people. As if that wasn't devastating enough, a blizzard hit the next day, dumping more than a foot of snow on the area and paralyzing much-needed relief efforts."
This was a very well-told historical accoun...more
Mind numbing. Even after finishing this book, it's still difficult to wrap my mind around how HUGE, POWERFUL & Massively DEADLY the 1917 Halifax Explosion was.
Sally M. Walker's dramatic build-up to the events leading to the explosion, minute by minute, person by person, was extremely tense and expertly well-written.
Equally heart-affecting was the outpouring of emergency aid & supportive love for those so desperately in need. I honestly had to hold back the tears as Sally Walker shared to...more
Sally M. Walker's dramatic build-up to the events leading to the explosion, minute by minute, person by person, was extremely tense and expertly well-written.
Equally heart-affecting was the outpouring of emergency aid & supportive love for those so desperately in need. I honestly had to hold back the tears as Sally Walker shared to...more
Just received this and read it immediately! Thorough research sets the stage for the arrival of the Mont Blanc in the Halifax Harbor, with its holds and deck filled with various explosives for the war in Europe. Halifax was a busy harbor community and it is brought to life through the experiences of various members of the community and five families. The children go to school; the mothers stay at home to keep house, and the fathers and older children go off to work in factories, on the docks, or...more
4.2 stars
I had never heard of this disaster that happened in Dec. 1917 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a short children's nonfiction book, and I saw the title on an ALA's Best of.... booklist.
A ship filled with munitions for World War I ran into another ship in Halifax Harbor. The resulting explosion was the largest manmade explosion that had ever occurred. It remained the largest manmade explosion until 1945 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
The book was made very personal by the aut...more
I had never heard of this disaster that happened in Dec. 1917 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a short children's nonfiction book, and I saw the title on an ALA's Best of.... booklist.
A ship filled with munitions for World War I ran into another ship in Halifax Harbor. The resulting explosion was the largest manmade explosion that had ever occurred. It remained the largest manmade explosion until 1945 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
The book was made very personal by the aut...more
1 like · like · see review
A good introduction to the story of the Halifax Explosion. It's well-written, interesting, and nicely blends the deep tragedy of the Explosion with some of the good that came after. There were a couple of places where I felt some more explanation would have been good, and a couple of places where a little more clarity would have helped, but on the whole, it's a good book, and I'd definitely recommend it to historically-minded people who don't know much about the Halifax Explosion. If you do know...more
I had never heard of the Halifax Explosion of 1917, but I had read and loved Sally M. Walker's Secrets of a Civil War Submarine, so I knew I had to get this one. And it is very well done. I was totally engrossed. This is a tragic story, and Ms. Walker doesn't hold anything back. I would recommend it for older children and young teens, but none that are overly sensitive, as some of the descriptions are quite disturbing and there is (obviously) a lot of death and destruction. But Ms. Walker brings...more
I've seen the memorial and the buildings built after the explosion and had seen the story of the explosion so I was prepared. However,it is still moving to read what those people experienced as a result of carelessness, negligence, and overweening pride. Also, I think the idea that those that might be injured were "just" working class folks played a part in the whole drama. The explosion certainly didn't get the news coverage that the sinking of the Titanic a few years earlier, yet more people d...more
Highly recommended. This is how history should be. History is about the people. History is about what happens and how people overcome tragedies like this.
I knew nothing about this topic. It is fascinating. Also what are the odds that the city to care for the dead from Titanic five years would be able to help them through this tragedy.
It is well written and while geared toward juveniles, I feel history loving adults would enjoy it too. The author explains the science behind what happens and tel...more
I knew nothing about this topic. It is fascinating. Also what are the odds that the city to care for the dead from Titanic five years would be able to help them through this tragedy.
It is well written and while geared toward juveniles, I feel history loving adults would enjoy it too. The author explains the science behind what happens and tel...more
I had first heard of the this horrific explosion of a munition ship in Halifax Harbor in Robert MacNeil's novel The Burden of Desire. Such a disaster, and yet, so little known. My curiousity made me want to learn more, but like so much, curiousity was replaced by other interests. Until I tripped over this title while browsing through Overdrive.
Written for older children this book examines the facts and relies heavily on humanizing the tragedy for following individuals and using interviews with s...more
Written for older children this book examines the facts and relies heavily on humanizing the tragedy for following individuals and using interviews with s...more
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Sally M. Walker has written science books for children, including Earthquakes, an NSTA/CBC Best Science Trade Book of 1997. She lives in DeKalb, IL.
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Jan 20, 2012 07:40pm