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Night of the Twisters
Storm Chasers meets Stranger Things! An action-packed coming-of-age story of both natural disaster and the bravery it takes to face it.
When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, twelve-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don't think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska.
But soon enough, the wind begins to howl, and the lights and telephone stop working. Then the emergency siren starts to wail. Dan, his baby brother, and Arthur have only seconds to get to the basement before the monstrous twister is on top of them.
Little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun...
When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, twelve-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don't think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska.
But soon enough, the wind begins to howl, and the lights and telephone stop working. Then the emergency siren starts to wail. Dan, his baby brother, and Arthur have only seconds to get to the basement before the monstrous twister is on top of them.
Little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun...
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
131 people are currently reading
1922 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Ruckman
19 books27 followersIvy Ruckman is the award-winning author of fourteen books, including No Way Out, for which she also wrote the screenplay. She is a former English teacher and creative writing instructor, and has written several short stories for young readers. Mrs. Ruckman lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
April 15, 2018
This was one of my favorites as a child. The author came to my school and I still have my signed copy. I needed something to help me fall asleep the other night and returned to this. I live in North Texas so tornadoes aren't uncommon so this always gives me a little thrill when I read it. I certainly wouldn't want something this horrific to happen but I like the story and the characters and the message of pulling together and pulling through.
February 13, 2014
PLOT: Dan Hatch explains what a red letter day is. He was in a bike race. He came in seventy-ninth and won the raffle afterward. He won one hundred dollars and a new racing bike. After the race him and Arthur went on a bike ride. They both were talking about Arthur eating supper at Dan’s house. They got back to Dan’s house ate supper and then Dan’s mom had to go to work, his Dad had to help his grandma get the tractor running again so Dan and Arthur were home alone with Dan’s baby brother Ryan. The tornado sirens went off and then stopped right away. Dan and Arthur were confused, then they heard a big gust of wind coming then the sirens went off again. Dan ran upstairs and got Ryan up from his nap and then they all ran downstairs to the basement bathroom with a flashlight and a blanket. They then waited for the storm to pass. The tornado ripped right through the house and then another one came through it right after. When the storm was over Dan, Arthur and Ryan were alright they had to find a way out of the house. Once they actually got out of the house they met up with Arthur’s sister who was coming to find them. Dan found his family and decided to go live with his grandma out on the farm. Arthur’s family was all ok and together.
CHARACTERIZATION: The book never actually describes the characters. Dan Hatch is the main character of the story. He does not change much throughout the story. Arthur is Dan’s best friend and does not change much either. Stacey is Arthur’s older sister.
SETTING: This book takes place in Grand Island, Nebraska on June 3, 1980.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read a book about something that could actually happen to themselves. The gender of the person that I would recommend this book to does not matter. They would have to be over the age of ten. I liked this book and it was good to read. I am surprised that it ended with a narrator telling the reader where everyone that was mentioned in the story went to live. The narrator told how the people who lived in the town helped every other person out in the town to clean up the rubbish from the tornado.
CHARACTERIZATION: The book never actually describes the characters. Dan Hatch is the main character of the story. He does not change much throughout the story. Arthur is Dan’s best friend and does not change much either. Stacey is Arthur’s older sister.
SETTING: This book takes place in Grand Island, Nebraska on June 3, 1980.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read a book about something that could actually happen to themselves. The gender of the person that I would recommend this book to does not matter. They would have to be over the age of ten. I liked this book and it was good to read. I am surprised that it ended with a narrator telling the reader where everyone that was mentioned in the story went to live. The narrator told how the people who lived in the town helped every other person out in the town to clean up the rubbish from the tornado.
June 13, 2011
i liked the book more than the movie... more details
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August 27, 2022Updates/Notes:
Strange observations about children’s bodyweight coming from the author in a book targeted at young readers. Can’t believe this was read to us in a classroom at age 7/8. Contextually this is the hero-protagonist telling the reader about his friends, and the book never suggests any of this is uncool. Examples in chapter two:
I controlled myself. I didn't want big old Arthur
to sit on me, the way he does when he gets mad.
(He's not gross, you understand, but he could live
on his own fat cells for a month if he had to. Of
course, he thinks of that as an advantage.)
I glanced Ronnie's way as I knelt to tie my
sneakers. She was covered with goose bumps, same
as me. Of course, I have enough muscle to keep me
warm, but she's so skinny. I imagine it must be
embarrassing for her to walk around in a bathing
suit, looking the way she does.
These parts could be skipped or discussed if read with a young reader at home, but is it worth it? There are a couple of other vague/stray lines that allude to these ideas. If this book is still in print, the author could revise it (edit: just noticed I have a “revised edition”). Ingrained sexism is evident despite some moves to highlight mom struggling with losing her identity while staying at home with the new baby. The parentification of Stacy within her own family looms large, as she’s socialized to take care of stranger’s babies, while the male lead, who has just shown the same skill growth with his own baby brother, stands by and does not assist, despite having a crush on Stacy.
The chapter about surviving the disaster is still powerful and memorable. Amazing that this stuck with me over the years despite only having had it read to me aloud a single time. The bathroom scene proved to be unforgettable. I also remembered Stacy toughing it out after, and the elderly neighbor in her basement.
————
When I was in third grade, my teacher came to us newly graduated and from far away Nebraska. Sometime during that year, she sat on her desk with her feet on a chair so we could all see her from our desks, gathered our attention, and began reading one chapter from a book at a time (I can’t remember if it was daily or weekly). That was my favorite part of the day, and details of the plot and characters stayed with me all this time, which meant I was able to find the book as an adult — Night of the Twisters — and check it out from the library.
August 2022
Strange observations about children’s bodyweight coming from the author in a book targeted at young readers. Can’t believe this was read to us in a classroom at age 7/8. Contextually this is the hero-protagonist telling the reader about his friends, and the book never suggests any of this is uncool. Examples in chapter two:
I controlled myself. I didn't want big old Arthur
to sit on me, the way he does when he gets mad.
(He's not gross, you understand, but he could live
on his own fat cells for a month if he had to. Of
course, he thinks of that as an advantage.)
I glanced Ronnie's way as I knelt to tie my
sneakers. She was covered with goose bumps, same
as me. Of course, I have enough muscle to keep me
warm, but she's so skinny. I imagine it must be
embarrassing for her to walk around in a bathing
suit, looking the way she does.
These parts could be skipped or discussed if read with a young reader at home, but is it worth it? There are a couple of other vague/stray lines that allude to these ideas. If this book is still in print, the author could revise it (edit: just noticed I have a “revised edition”). Ingrained sexism is evident despite some moves to highlight mom struggling with losing her identity while staying at home with the new baby. The parentification of Stacy within her own family looms large, as she’s socialized to take care of stranger’s babies, while the male lead, who has just shown the same skill growth with his own baby brother, stands by and does not assist, despite having a crush on Stacy.
The chapter about surviving the disaster is still powerful and memorable. Amazing that this stuck with me over the years despite only having had it read to me aloud a single time. The bathroom scene proved to be unforgettable. I also remembered Stacy toughing it out after, and the elderly neighbor in her basement.
————
When I was in third grade, my teacher came to us newly graduated and from far away Nebraska. Sometime during that year, she sat on her desk with her feet on a chair so we could all see her from our desks, gathered our attention, and began reading one chapter from a book at a time (I can’t remember if it was daily or weekly). That was my favorite part of the day, and details of the plot and characters stayed with me all this time, which meant I was able to find the book as an adult — Night of the Twisters — and check it out from the library.
August 2022
December 13, 2021
3.5 This was ok considering the audience it was written for and the time it was written, which was nearly forty years ago. It’s very apparent it was written by a teacher and I liked that about the book. I also appreciated the underlying issue that 12 year old Dan, the narrator of the story, had to deal with, which was coming to terms with a new baby in the family. Over the course of the evening and the dire circumstances he has to deal with, he gains a new perspective and appreciation for family. Another book this week that I may not have loved, but not sorry I read.
March 22, 2014
When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, twelve-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don't think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska. But soon enough, the wind begins to howl, and the lights and telephone stop working. Then the emergency siren starts to wail. Dan, his baby brother, and Arthur have only seconds to get to the basement before the monstrous twister is on top of them. Little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun. . .
Compelling story told in a timeline. Realistic tornado experiences that make you appreciate what is most important. Great story for 3rd-6th graders that will produce thoughtful discussions.
Compelling story told in a timeline. Realistic tornado experiences that make you appreciate what is most important. Great story for 3rd-6th graders that will produce thoughtful discussions.
May 16, 2014
I've been fascinated by tornadoes since I was a very little girl. I was always checking out tornado books from the library so I could learn more about them.
I discovered this book during my Storm Chaser obsession back in 2010. I was 13, and I remember my mom telling me I was too old for the book.
I read it anyways, and I couldn't put it down. I was sucked in to it and I fell in love. I'm now almost 17 and I still read this book at least once a month.
I suppose my love for it has to do with my fascination with storms. But this book is the one that got me in to writing my current story.
Would definitely recommend this book.
I discovered this book during my Storm Chaser obsession back in 2010. I was 13, and I remember my mom telling me I was too old for the book.
I read it anyways, and I couldn't put it down. I was sucked in to it and I fell in love. I'm now almost 17 and I still read this book at least once a month.
I suppose my love for it has to do with my fascination with storms. But this book is the one that got me in to writing my current story.
Would definitely recommend this book.
January 25, 2024
This is elementary school reading in Nebraska. Best to be mentally prepared!
June 11, 2019
Review #1 - February 2017
Now that I'm older and more experienced, I know there are black-letter days as well as red-letter days. Those BIGGIES, the real blockbusters that mess up your life, aren't marked on the calendar either. You never know ahead of time when you're getting one of those.
I remembered reading this book as a kid and liking it, so I was excited to see it on the Battle of the Book list.
It was pretty intense. Ruckman does an excellent job bringing the readers into the eye of the storm. I felt the pain and fear of Dan and Arthur. It was easy to imagine the confusion and panic following the storm.
I liked this just as much as an adult as I did as a kid. Fun read!
Review #2 - June 2019
I just really love this book. It's very nostalgic for me. I'm glad it's still on the BOB list. I went for the audio this time and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now that I'm older and more experienced, I know there are black-letter days as well as red-letter days. Those BIGGIES, the real blockbusters that mess up your life, aren't marked on the calendar either. You never know ahead of time when you're getting one of those.
I remembered reading this book as a kid and liking it, so I was excited to see it on the Battle of the Book list.
It was pretty intense. Ruckman does an excellent job bringing the readers into the eye of the storm. I felt the pain and fear of Dan and Arthur. It was easy to imagine the confusion and panic following the storm.
I liked this just as much as an adult as I did as a kid. Fun read!
Review #2 - June 2019
I just really love this book. It's very nostalgic for me. I'm glad it's still on the BOB list. I went for the audio this time and thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 29, 2014
Living in tornado alley made Night of the Twisters a really intense read. I loved the realistic way that the storm was portrayed and the conflict of an older brother realizes how much he loves his baby brother after the disaster hits. I love that this book deals with both the during and aftermath of a tornado. I’ve never had to experience one before and it’s scary to think how deadly and destructive they are. I think this gives readers a quick look into what has happened to several over the years when it comes to twisters and tornadoes. Night of the Twister really brings a tragic natural disaster to life and also shows how it can bring people together. I also liked the random Dungeons and Dragons reference and some other quirky moments in the story.
Verdict:
An intense story with a happy ending, great for younger readers.
Verdict:
An intense story with a happy ending, great for younger readers.
December 11, 2014
Fans of adventure books by Will Hobbs and Roland Smith, especially his Storm Runners trilogy will enjoy this fact based fictional account of the Grand Island, Nebraska tornado outbreak, a series of 7 tornadoes that swept through the area the night of June 3rd 1980 leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
It's an action packed story, filled with nail biting, tense, and scary real life situations. It's a wild non-stop ride. But it's also a story about a community coming together and giving each other strength after a terrible tragedy.
It's an action packed story, filled with nail biting, tense, and scary real life situations. It's a wild non-stop ride. But it's also a story about a community coming together and giving each other strength after a terrible tragedy.
June 21, 2016
Told from the POV of 12 year old, Dan, the story of the tornados that destroyed his home and much of Grand Island, Nebraska on the night of Jun3, 1980 was based on actual events. The names were changed, but the story is true.
December 2, 2014
The Hatches:
• Dan Hatch - POV character, 12 years old, just had a red-letter day winning a new bike and money in bike race in April (won the raffle and came in 79th place), and now discovers there are black letter days. Night of the Twisters becomes known as Black Tuesday.
• Mom and Dad Hatch. Mom is checking on Ms. Smiley and Dad is out at that farm helping Grandpa.
• Ryan Hatch - 1 year old brother at home with Dan and Arthur.
• Grandma and Grandpa Hatch - live nearby Grand Island in Phillips on a farm. 3rd generation on their farm.
• Aunt Goldie - goes bowling the night of tornado and is missing throughout. Found in omaha in hotel two days later with shaky memory.
• Miverva - that Hatch cat.
The Darlingtons:
• Arthur - Dan's best friend and almost constant companion throughout the story. California transplant, his family doesn't know much about basements and tornadoes.
• Stacy - Arthur's older sister that helps save Arthur, Dan, and Ryan at Dan's house. Then helps Arthur and Dan save Smiley. Dan has a big-time crush on her throughout.
• Ronnie Vae - Little sister.
• Tempest June - Youngest born after the night of the twisters.
• 4 other sisters.
• Mom and Dad Darlington - Dad has office at the Armory where he's reunited with Arthur and Stacy.
Other Characters:
• Mrs. Smiley - Elderly neighbor with new storm door. She is found sleeping in the basement and Arthur, Dan, and Stacy save her after Mom and Ryan are taken to Kmart on bus. The kids get Smiley last seat on small bus out of their neighborhood.
• Kelly - The police officer that takes the three kids our of their neighborhood and attempts to deliver them to Kmart. Another tornado touches down and almost takes them out in route. The windshield and Kelly's glasses are blown out by the near miss tornado contact and Dan has to drive he rest of the way to the police station. The kids stay the night at the station.
• Mrs. Minetti - the matron of the Police station assists the kids.
This story oscillates between feelings of terror related to tornadoes touching down and Dan and friends' bravery and sacrifice. Also with a large focus on Dan's relationships and feelings towards other characters, which adds a nice human touch to the story.
• Dan Hatch - POV character, 12 years old, just had a red-letter day winning a new bike and money in bike race in April (won the raffle and came in 79th place), and now discovers there are black letter days. Night of the Twisters becomes known as Black Tuesday.
• Mom and Dad Hatch. Mom is checking on Ms. Smiley and Dad is out at that farm helping Grandpa.
• Ryan Hatch - 1 year old brother at home with Dan and Arthur.
• Grandma and Grandpa Hatch - live nearby Grand Island in Phillips on a farm. 3rd generation on their farm.
• Aunt Goldie - goes bowling the night of tornado and is missing throughout. Found in omaha in hotel two days later with shaky memory.
• Miverva - that Hatch cat.
The Darlingtons:
• Arthur - Dan's best friend and almost constant companion throughout the story. California transplant, his family doesn't know much about basements and tornadoes.
• Stacy - Arthur's older sister that helps save Arthur, Dan, and Ryan at Dan's house. Then helps Arthur and Dan save Smiley. Dan has a big-time crush on her throughout.
• Ronnie Vae - Little sister.
• Tempest June - Youngest born after the night of the twisters.
• 4 other sisters.
• Mom and Dad Darlington - Dad has office at the Armory where he's reunited with Arthur and Stacy.
Other Characters:
• Mrs. Smiley - Elderly neighbor with new storm door. She is found sleeping in the basement and Arthur, Dan, and Stacy save her after Mom and Ryan are taken to Kmart on bus. The kids get Smiley last seat on small bus out of their neighborhood.
• Kelly - The police officer that takes the three kids our of their neighborhood and attempts to deliver them to Kmart. Another tornado touches down and almost takes them out in route. The windshield and Kelly's glasses are blown out by the near miss tornado contact and Dan has to drive he rest of the way to the police station. The kids stay the night at the station.
• Mrs. Minetti - the matron of the Police station assists the kids.
This story oscillates between feelings of terror related to tornadoes touching down and Dan and friends' bravery and sacrifice. Also with a large focus on Dan's relationships and feelings towards other characters, which adds a nice human touch to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2019
This was another book I loved as a child, and so it also made the read-aloud list. :)
It's a well-paced narrative that describes a boy's experience one night when tornados tear through his town.
One of the things I remembered from reading it as a child, and which was true for my 7-yr-old as well, is that her descriptions are SO interesting, and it sparks interest in tornados, which sent us to the internet to look up answers. What's a tornado siren? Why is the sky green? Why do the drains make sucking noises? Why is the shower the safest place? Why does it get so dark? Why do the pipes break? Why is there hail? Why is it so big? And on and on and on...
Maybe it's because the two boys in the story are also confused about all those questions. I don't know, but something about the way the author writes all the details make them very mysterious and weird.
It's pretty tame as far as death and injuries go, but there is a sad part where he thinks about his cat probably being dead (I just skipped that part, so my son was none the wiser), and there are some tense moments where you wonder if characters are going to be alive/okay. They are in the end, but it could still be stressful for a kid.
Also, the narrator has a crush on his friend's big sister, and talks about how pretty she is. Nothing inappropriate, but still a little awkward reading it to a 7-yr-old who could care less, so I skipped those brief parts.
This one's great. Highly recommend.
It's a well-paced narrative that describes a boy's experience one night when tornados tear through his town.
One of the things I remembered from reading it as a child, and which was true for my 7-yr-old as well, is that her descriptions are SO interesting, and it sparks interest in tornados, which sent us to the internet to look up answers. What's a tornado siren? Why is the sky green? Why do the drains make sucking noises? Why is the shower the safest place? Why does it get so dark? Why do the pipes break? Why is there hail? Why is it so big? And on and on and on...
Maybe it's because the two boys in the story are also confused about all those questions. I don't know, but something about the way the author writes all the details make them very mysterious and weird.
It's pretty tame as far as death and injuries go, but there is a sad part where he thinks about his cat probably being dead (I just skipped that part, so my son was none the wiser), and there are some tense moments where you wonder if characters are going to be alive/okay. They are in the end, but it could still be stressful for a kid.
Also, the narrator has a crush on his friend's big sister, and talks about how pretty she is. Nothing inappropriate, but still a little awkward reading it to a 7-yr-old who could care less, so I skipped those brief parts.
This one's great. Highly recommend.
May 22, 2012
I liked this book alot. I only wish it was a bit longer and in more detail. I also would have liked to see more about the other tornadoes in the book since there were seven tornadoes in all but this book only talked about a few of them, and I wish they talked more about the disaster than the effects. But, other than that, this was a really good book. I would reccomend this book to people who like suspense. It is a good book for a classroom short read.
This book is about two best friends- Dan Hatch and Arthur Darlington- who get caught in a tornado one summer day. They find themselves searching for their families and trying to stay safe after their homes are destroyed. This book is told by the point of view of Dan Hatch, and he is looking back to that day. This is a great book if you have a little bit of time on your hands.
This book is about two best friends- Dan Hatch and Arthur Darlington- who get caught in a tornado one summer day. They find themselves searching for their families and trying to stay safe after their homes are destroyed. This book is told by the point of view of Dan Hatch, and he is looking back to that day. This is a great book if you have a little bit of time on your hands.
December 3, 2020
This exciting tale, based on a real, devastating event, is thrilling from beginning to end. Twelve-year-old Danny and his best friend, Arthur, get caught at Danny’s home when the tornado strikes. They take Danny’s baby brother to the basement, but get trapped there. Arthur’s fourteen-year-old sister comes to look for them, and helps them out of the basement. But as bad as that was, worse things are to come. This book is good on so many levels. The characters are well developed and true to their age. There is a strong female character. There are loving relationships between family members, and strong friendships with the kids themselves and with adults and kids. Though written for children, it is certainly a book adults can appreciate.
July 22, 2012
Night of the Twisters has an enthralling, Hollywood-worthy plot, but it largely fails to deliver. For one, the novel is too short for there to be any emotional investment in the characters. Also, the ending is a bit too pat. I know this is a juvenile novel, but, if elementary schoolers can read several hundred pages about a boy wizard, why couldn't they read a book half that length about a natural disaster? Some blasphemous profanity also messed things up. Although the younger crowd may enjoy Night of the Twisters, this twenty-four-year-old kid at heart, who regularly watches Nickelodeon and Disney Channel programming, didn't.
February 19, 2014
Hour by hour, Dan Hatch, 12 years-old recounts the series of events the night seven tornadoes touched down in his small town in Nebraska. Houses destroyed, lives changed forever, and a struggle to survive are brought forth in this suspenseful fictionalized saga of a town and its people finding a way to outsmart one of Mother Nature's most deadly storms.
Night of the Twisters is a little too preachy and in some ways so outdated that kids today may not relate to the underlying story. Characters are not well-developed and the aftermath is lightly touched upon. Not the best weather-related disaster story for kids.
Night of the Twisters is a little too preachy and in some ways so outdated that kids today may not relate to the underlying story. Characters are not well-developed and the aftermath is lightly touched upon. Not the best weather-related disaster story for kids.
June 19, 2013
This has been one of my favorite books since I was a kid, right up there with Hatchet. It's a story about a pre-teen boy named Dan and his best friend Arthur that weather out a massive tornado in Dan's basement with Dan's infant brother. The book centers around Dan and his neighborhood and the destruction that has occurred. A short book that moves really quickly. It still holds up and I felt like I was in the 4th grade again for a while.
March 9, 2017
This book is really good and I recommend that you read it. This book is like magic tree house book but for just a little more older readers. This book is about two best friends that live in Grand Island, Nebraska. Tornadoes are very common in Nebraska. Little did they know that a few of them will be going through their town. Other than that, I really recommend this book.
March 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book! It was a quick read and very intense. It's about an actual historical event that took place in Grand Island, Iowa, known as "the night of the twisters." 7 tornadoes hit a place in Iowa, and this story is told from a 12-year-olds perspective of the night. I did take a star off because they said: "Oh my___" a lot, but other than that, I really liked Night of the Twisters!
September 16, 2016
I would recommend this to someone looking for a little more grown up version of The Magic Treehouse books or someone interested in storms. I would also recommend it from a nostalgic point of view as it reminds me of life in a midwestern small town before the internet.
January 29, 2017
WOW. I mean once I got started I could not stop. This book was really good. It was about true story of 'night of twisters' in Nebraska (which inspired 'Twister' I think I heard).
Worth a read. Intense.
Worth a read. Intense.
April 15, 2015
The students were spell bound. Not one of them, at this point, would be willing to trade their California earthquakes for tornado country.
Read
March 29, 2016It was a bit sad and scary
July 14, 2024
I wanted to read this book based off of the movie, Night of the Twisters that I saw on Youtube. The film quickly became one of my favorites, I loved the simplicity of it and how it reminded me of a simpler time, before I was born. So I added this book because of that and because I like twisters.
The book wasn't as good as the movie. What I will say is the writing style was fantastic. It mastered the art of "show, don't tell" and it did it all through the perspective of Dan Hatch. The thoughts, emotions and feelings he went through during the night of the tornado outbreak were very real and relatable. The vivid descriptions of everything else and the uses of phrases like "I detoured Arthur toward the bathroom" or "Inspecting my feet, which looked like prehistoric monsters." Very unique and original descriptions.
I didn't really care for Dan that much in this novel, though. In the movie, he was a good boy. In the book, I guess he turned out all right but he wasn't so much in the beginning. There was also some mild cussing, which bothered me since this was a book for youth. Certainly nothing like one of the other books I'm reading that passes off as "youth fiction," (boy our youth are in trouble,) but still bothersome.
One thing that I did like is the portrayal of how hard it is to care for a newborn. In a lot of fictional books today, they're so busy with the feel-good side of kids that they make it look so Hallmark, like raising kids is nothing but sunshine and rainbows. The mother of the book talks about "missing herself" and "wanting herself back" as she talks privately with her husband and I really appreciated how the author brought that out.
All in all, a good story. Great, great descriptives and POV narrative. Not as good as the movie, though.
The book wasn't as good as the movie. What I will say is the writing style was fantastic. It mastered the art of "show, don't tell" and it did it all through the perspective of Dan Hatch. The thoughts, emotions and feelings he went through during the night of the tornado outbreak were very real and relatable. The vivid descriptions of everything else and the uses of phrases like "I detoured Arthur toward the bathroom" or "Inspecting my feet, which looked like prehistoric monsters." Very unique and original descriptions.
I didn't really care for Dan that much in this novel, though. In the movie, he was a good boy. In the book, I guess he turned out all right but he wasn't so much in the beginning. There was also some mild cussing, which bothered me since this was a book for youth. Certainly nothing like one of the other books I'm reading that passes off as "youth fiction," (boy our youth are in trouble,) but still bothersome.
One thing that I did like is the portrayal of how hard it is to care for a newborn. In a lot of fictional books today, they're so busy with the feel-good side of kids that they make it look so Hallmark, like raising kids is nothing but sunshine and rainbows. The mother of the book talks about "missing herself" and "wanting herself back" as she talks privately with her husband and I really appreciated how the author brought that out.
All in all, a good story. Great, great descriptives and POV narrative. Not as good as the movie, though.
May 25, 2023
I read this book aloud to my 3rd graders. It was perfect to go along with our science unit on natural hazards. This is a historical fiction about the seven tornadoes that touched down in Grand Island, NE in June of 1989. The writing is very descriptive, my students and I could hear the sucking sounds of the drains and the wind howling. We could picture the walls and roofs coming off of the houses. I am personally terrified of tornadoes so I was on the edge of my seat reading about Dan, Arthur, and baby Ryan trying to get out of the basement after the tornado ripped off the rest of the house from above them. Many of my students gave this book a 4 and many gave it a 5 star.
August 29, 2025
I saw the movie on TV in 1996, and it was a movie that I watched quite a few times. Now a couple decades later I finally read the book. The book is meant for young readers, and I think that it appropriately describes many aspects of family life before and after the twisters. It also explains the destruction and the ability of people to rise up and come together to get through a terrible traumatic tragedy.
February 1, 2019
Having grown up 5 hours west of Grand Island, I had heard plenty about the night the twisters ripped through town. I thought this book did a great job describing the night from the prospective of a 12 year old. Super fascinating.
July 19, 2019
I used to both love and be terrified by this book as a child. Tornados are terrifying. This is a story that teaches you that the most important thing in life is family and friends, materialistic things can be replaced.
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