Clouds of Terror

On My Own History

by Catherine A. Welch, Laurie K. Johnson (Illustrator)

Helga and Erik could not believe their eyes. There were grasshoppers everywhere, and they were eating the crops! In the 1870s, when grasshoppers destroyed farms in Minnesota and other Midwestern states, many families gave up and moved away. This is the story of how two Swedish immigrant children help their parents save their home on the prairie.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, American History

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there's some information to be gained from the story, the overall narrative is boring. The inciting incident just sort of comes out of nowhere and the issue resolves itself at the end of the story. Plus, this is basically a horror book. I know several kids who are the age this book is gear towards that would be creeped out by some of the artwork in this book. I found some of it kind of funny just because it was so over the top about the inciting incident. Not what I would recommend for young readers.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It does have good information on the locust plague of the 1870s but I'm sensitive to images and seeing the children, and especially the baby, covered in locusts was too much for me. I know my children wouldn't want to read this one.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting fictional story based on real events that happened in the 1870's and 1880's. It's amazing how such a small insect can cause such destruction.

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Locusts have also devoured a good portion of the historical context of this settlement.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clouds of Terror is a 48 paged historical fiction story about a family living on a farm in Minnesota in the 1870s. During this time, millions of grasshoppers invaded the Midwestern plains. This was detrimental to the farm, killing crops, about 10 acres of wheat, five hundred cabbage, cucumbers, beans, carrots, and beets. The family had no money and not enough crops to sell. Although they had enough to eat for a while, they couldn’t make a living. The father left to find work as the children prepared for winter with their mother. This story has underlying themes of hard work, courage, and determination. When most families migrated, this family chose to stay and make ends meet. Children today cannot relate to prairie life, so it would be beneficial for the students to read the “Author’s Note” before reading the story. Before reading this story, it is crucial to build prior knowledge for the children. Students can study what prairie life was life, such as homes made of blocks of dirt, grass, or sod. Prairie life also included wild animals and inclement weather. Students can possibly relate to weather such as tornados, fires, drought, hailstorms, and blizzards. They can also discuss what they know about insects such as grasshoppers. Children today most likely do not realize the significant damage insects once caused for families. This allows for discussion around both efferent and aesthetic questions. Students can answer, “Would you fight for your home or flee your home? What do you think it was like to live on a farm then? What do you think it is like to live on a farm today? What problems do you think still exist for farmers today? Why was it difficult for this Swedish immigrant family to pick up and leave? What insects have caused problems in the past 10 years?” Students can also study what it was like to be a Swedish immigrant living in the 1870s.