Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America [Paperback]

Jim Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

With his powerful and intriguing narrative style, Newbery Honor Book author Jim Murphy tells the harrowing story of the Blizzard of 1888. Available for the first time in paperback.

Snow began falling over New York City on March 12, 1888. All around town, people struggled along slippery streets and sidewalks -- some seeking the warmth of their homes, some to get to work or to care for the less fortunate, and some to experience what they assumed would be the last little snowfall of one of the warmest winters on record. What no one realized was that in a very few hours, the wind and snow would bury the city in nearly 21 inches of snow and bring it to a ferocious standstill.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-Blizzard!:The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy (Scholastic, 2000) is an account of the blizzard of March 12, 1888 that hit the northeastern United States. It was one of the worst and most written about natural disasters in our history. The storm brought the coast of the United States, from Virginia to Canada, to a standstill, and this retelling based on personal accounts and news stories makes you feel like you are there. The blizzard is described primarily from the vantage point of individuals in New York City and the area around it. Some people left work and didn't know if or when they would ever reach home. Others were stranded with little food and water and had no idea if help was on the way. The text is exciting, and Taylor Mali provides a mesmerizing reading of this fascinating story. His steady voice holds listeners spellbound and waiting for what will happen next. Listeners young and old will learn a great deal about U.S. history and science, and how this storm changed our nation. -Anita Lawson, Otsego High School, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

Praise for Jim Murphy: A Newbery Honor Book for The Great Fire A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book for Blizzard! "Spectacular!" -Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Truce "An example of stellar nonfiction." -Booklist, starred review of Blizzard! "A veritable cinematic account." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review of The Great Fire

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590673106
• ISBN-13: 978-0590673105
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > State & Local
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1800s

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story! One of my favorite Jim Murphy books., October 26, 2010

By 

Lisa True - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America (Paperback)

I read this book straight through because I wanted to know what would happen next to all of the people. To be more accurate, I wanted to know what had happened to them because, of course, these people were real, which to me made their stories even more exciting. Jim Murphy creates a very visual story of what happened during the storm. Why did one person decide to go to work, and another person did not? How did one person's kindness, common sense or heroism affect the survival of others? The story is so vivid, I can still remember the beginning when Jim Murphy recounts the unexpected summer-like weather Manhattanites were enjoying right before the blizzard.

Jim Murphy takes us for a ride that's as wild as the storm, up and down the east coast, telling tales of destruction and survival. I found myself cheering for those who survived, and wishing I could warn those who set out to try to make it home in a storm that was like no other. Jim Murphy sets the scene and writes about the blizzard's heroes and victims in such a compelling way that it is easy to imagine the dire circumstances, the fortitude exercised by those who overcame the storm, and their exhaustion, too. And he also explains how infrastructure and systems, such as the subway and weather reports, developed as a result of this blizzard. If you've ever been cold and wondered how much longer you would have to wait to be warm again, you'll appreciate the vivid telling of this story. It is one of my favorite Jim Murphy books!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and informative book, March 24, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America (Paperback)

I bought this book for my daughter and found it very enjoyable and interesting for myself. I enjoy reading about and studying meteorology especially when it comes to winter storms. The book even though it was written for 5th to 8 graders was a very good and informative read for adults also.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blizzard of 2010 appropriate, March 23, 2010

By 

ark76 "Annie K" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America (Paperback)

My 11 year old read this as one of a collection of books for a school book club. Coincidentally she read it while we were home for 2 weeks during the 2010 east coast blizzard. She was scared!