novel; boy coming of age; read for class in high school, 1978-1982; starts with a boy taking shelter (I think in a barn) with an older woman (she is African-American; he may or may not have been) and huddling under a blanket during a raging storm

[Jim]

I cannot remember the title or author, and have only the vivid recollection that it starts with a boy taking shelter (I think in a barn) with an older woman (she is African-American; he may or may not have been) and huddling under a blanket during a raging storm (maybe a tornado?), which prompted my high school English teacher to quip, "This book starts with a bang!" Young Adult was not a genre at the time, but this was an all-boy's Catholic high school and I think our forward-looking English teacher was trying to expand our world view beyond Jersey City (the book may or may not have been set in the south, and featuring African-American characters, maybe even the protagonist). Sorry to be so vague, but it's driving me crazy, and I'd love to find and reference this tome in a book I'm writing myself. Thanks!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

About when did the novel take place? Author female or male? Remember the cover?

[Jim]

I literally remember nothing else, alas!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Jim, are you still looking for this or did you find it?