The Day of the Black Blizzard (On My Own History) [Library Binding]

Candice F. Ransom (Author), Laurie Harden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: On My Own History

Ten-year-old Orry Jenkins is sick and tired of the dust. The year is 1935 and Kansas hasn't gotten enough rain in years. Instead of rainstorms, they get dust storms. One day, Orry and his little stepsister go outside to play. They're far from home when a huge dust storm comes up. Stranded alone on the plains, the children must find a way to survive the terrible black blizzard.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—In this story set in Kansas in 1935, Orry, 10, and his younger stepsister, Mildred, venture outside on what appears to be a sunny morning after spending days stuck inside because of the heavy dust outside. Without warning, a large black dust cloud hits, and they are forced to run for their lives and seek shelter with their dog in a ditch, hoping to find a way to survive. The writing is clear and lively, moving the story forward at a rapid pace. Young readers will be intrigued by the differences between their lives and that of Orry and his sister. The illustrations, done in oils, add to the overall effectiveness of this title. A brief bibliography suggests other titles on the Dust Bowl. A solid choice to consider for collections needing high-interest, low-reading-level titles.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Candice Ransom has written more than 100 books for children, including Finding Day's Bottom (Carolrhoda, 2006). Ms. Ransom holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College. She lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Laurie Harden previously illustrated Living with the Senecas: A Story about Mary Jemison and Natural Writer: A Story about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings for the Creative Minds Biographies series.

Candice Ransom has written more than 100 books for children, including Finding Day's Bottom (Carolrhoda, 2006). Ms. Ransom holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College. She lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Laurie Harden previously illustrated Living with the Senecas: A Story about Mary Jemison and Natural Writer: A Story about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings for the Creative Minds Biographies series.

Wendy Pfeffer, an award-winning author of over thirty children's books, had an early career as a teacher. Now a full-time writer, she enjoys visiting schools where she makes presentations and conducts creative writing workshops. She is a member of the Garden State Writers, Authors of Bucks County, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and Authors Guild. She lives in Pennington, NJ with her husband, Tom. As a child, she spent her summers near the spot where Rem found a way to save his village.

Elaine Verstraete has been working as an illustrator and fine artist in the Rochester, New York area since 1988 and has built a reputation as a fine watercolorist. In addition to illustrating numerous children's books, her sensitive portraiture, rich landscapes and charming still life paintings appear in national print advertising and product labels. Having earned a BFA with honors from Syracuse University, Elaine teaches Illustration at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Residing in Middlesex, NY, with her partner, David, Elaine also enjoys bicycling through her surrounding pastoral hills, plays tennis and is part of the contemporary folk duo, According Two Brooke and Elaine, as bassist and vocalist. She adores the company of her four Siamese cats, Koto, Shogun, Django, and Fila.

Candice Ransom has written more than 100 books for children, including Finding Day's Bottom (Carolrhoda, 2006). Ms. Ransom holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College. She lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (March 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822578956
• ISBN-13: 978-0822578956
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,311,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Candice Ransom (1952-) is the author of more than 100 books for children, including Tractor Day (Walker), Pony Island (Walker), Finding Day's Bottom (Carolrhoda), Seeing Sky-Blue Pink (Carolrhoda), Secret in the Tower (Wizards of the Coast), and Hello, Virginia! (Sterling). Ransom's books are often set in her native state of Virginia, where her family has lived since 1711. Honors and awards include starred reviews, IRA Teacher's Choice, IRA Children's Choice, Pick of the List, New York Public Library Best 100 Books, and Smithsonian Notable Book. Nearly 50 of her books have been translated into twelve languages. She has an MFA in writing from Vermont College and an MA in children's literature from Hollins University and teaches in Hollins University's graduate program in children's literature. Ransom lives with her husband in Fredericksburg, Virginia.