The Silent Storm [Hardcover]

Sherry Garland (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

When grandfather is injured in a violent storm, Alyssa, silent since her parents' death in a similar hurricane three years earlier, must find her voice and help him survive. By the author of Song of the Buffalo Bay. Jr Lib Guild.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-- Alyssa, 13, has not spoken since her parents died in a hurricane three years ago. Living with her dispirited grandfather on Galveston Island, Texas, she is allowed almost total freedom to fish, sail, and ride horses. When faced with another dangerous hurricane, the girl must come to terms with her role in her parents' accident and prevent her brother and grandfather from becoming victims this time around. Garland writes evocatively of her coastal setting, developing a solid sense of place. The importance of the weather to people who live and work on the ocean is clearly described. Factual information about shrimping, the mechanics of boats, and the behavior of storms is smoothly worked into the story. The hurricane is presented as both scary and thrilling. The adventure elements of the plot add pizazz, but the danger is not romanticized. The characterizations of family members made fearful by previous losses are well developed. Alyssa's grandfather knows he should be more involved in the girl's life, but it is easier to let her do as she wishes while he mourns his son. Supporting figures such as Alyssa's younger brother, her aunt, and cousin are more sketchily, but still vividly, described. This book will have appeal for lovers of the outdoors as well as anyone who appreciates an exciting, atmospheric story. --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Though she once loved stories about the hurricanes around Galveston Island, Alyssa, 13, has been mute ever since her mother drowned and her father disappeared three years ago during a storm; convinced that she's somehow responsible, Alyssa can't remember for sure that traumatic day--but as another hurricane approaches and danger looms, she has flashbacks.... Though Garland moves her story quickly and fills it with interesting lore about hurricanes, shrimp boats, and the lives of people close to the sea, it's not as compelling as her depiction of the plight of Vietnam's Amerasian children (Song of the Buffalo Boy, 1992). She stretches credibility by simultaneously resolving the problem of Alyssa's speech, her grandfather's life, the mystery of her father's disappearance, and the storm; also, some of the minor characters aren't well developed, and their behavior and dialogue are too predictable. Still, the story's thrust--like the approaching storm--is strong, and makes for absorbing reading. (Fiction. 9- 12) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152741704
• ISBN-13: 978-0152741709
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,527,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of twenty-eight books for children, teenagers and adults. Several of her books focus on the Vietnamese culture due to her close friendships with Vietnamese families. As a fifth generation Texan, she also sets many of her books in the Lone Star State. She especially likes to write historical works. For more information, visit her website: www.sherrygarland.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Silent Storm, October 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silent Storm (Hardcover)

It was an exiting book! At first it seemed a little boring because there wasn't much action. But then when Alyssa and her brother get stuck on that one shrip boat, that made it intresting enough to encourage me to read more. I thought that it was sad when Alyssa found her grandpa laying by the wrecked jeep because he was looking for Alyssa out in the hurricane. It was the BEST book I ever read! I want to buy the book for myself to read whenever I want!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A young girl learns that you can't always keep promises., January 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silent Storm (Paperback)

This book is about a young girl Alyssa who after her fathers death stops talking. "Don't say another word until I get back ok?" Those were the words her father had said to her. She had kept her promise but her father had never returned so her promise still lives on and she never talks again and no one knows why. I'ts bad enough she has to deal with her bratty cousin. But a big storm hits the Island and her granfather will not live without her help. But to save his life she needs to talk. Will she keep her fathers promise in hope someday he'll return or will she finally grasp the reality that he is dead and talk to save her grandfathers life? this book is one of the best books I have ever read!

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books, October 9, 2005

By 

Kathryn Wergin "KT" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silent Storm (Paperback)

I first read this book many years ago when I was a young girl and I adored it. The story is very captivating and most of the time I could barely put the book down. A couple of years ago I lost the book and have always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to read it again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery stories.