Night of the Twisters (Paperback)

by Ivy Ruckman (Author) "When I was a little kid, I thought a red-letter day was when you got a red letter in the mailbox..." (more)
Key Phrases: Aunt Goldie, Grand Island, Ronnie Vae (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Based on a 1980 disaster in which a series of tornadoes devastated a Nebraska town. The first-person narration heightens the drama, and the pace does not slacken until the end, when the community begins to rebuild itself'." --" ALA" Booklist

Product Description

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. . . .

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1984 (NSTA/CBC)
1988 Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Minnesota)
1987 Prairie Pasque Award (South Dakota)
1987 Sequoyah Children's Book Award (Oklahoma)

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 25, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064401766
• ISBN-13: 978-0064401760
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,215 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT NOVEL!, July 19, 2000

By	"po5dude" (Cape Girardeau, MO) - See all my reviews

I read this book when I was in the 4th grade, and it sparked my undying interest in tornadoes. The story revolves around 12-year-old Dan Hatch, his baby brother, Ryan, and Dan's best friend, Arthur, who are home alone when a devasting tornado sweeps through town. Not only does it capture the terror of a devasting natural disaster from a child's point of view. This book also touches a nerve by exploring issues of sibling rivalry, the difficulties that sometimes occur with change in a family, and the importance of friends helping friends. The overall theme in this book is that people need to have a plan of action for such disasters, and it also touches on the fact that, though we all have our disagreements, strong families can draw support from God, one another, and friends, and use that support to overcome the obstacles created by the disaster. Also, this book touches on how we tend to take things for granted, until we suddenly don't have them anymore. All in all, an excellent read for your older children. The best part is that, though the characters are fictional, the events are real. The book is based on the events of June 3, 1980, when seven tornadoes blew threw the town of Grand Island, Nebraska in just three hours, leaving utter devastation in their wake.

PARENTAL ADVISORY: Due to some realistic depictions of events surrounding a natural disaster, this book may not be suitable for your younger children. It's OK for any kid who's 4th grade or higher.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for kids!!, November 11, 2000

By	"po5dude2" (Cape Girardeau, MO) - See all my reviews

12-year-old Dan Hatch, his best friend Arthur, and baby brother Ryan are home alone when a devasting tornado strikes! This story focuses on the devastation and destruction of a tornado, the main characters' strength and will to live through disaster, and it also stresses the importance of having strong famiily bonds to get throgh tough times. After the tornado hits, Dan & his friends realize that they're on their own for survival...and yet they help free an elderly resident who's trapped in her home. Later on in the novel, the main characters each get the chance to show the reader their feelings and concerns about what has happened to their families and homes, and the doubts of whether they will fully recover. As a fourth-grader, my parents gave this book to me for Christmas. It sat on my desk unused for a while, but then one night while my parents were having company, I decided to go to my room and read. I vividly remember that once I started this book, I could not put it down, and I read it straight through in one night. I have since read it dozens of times even as an adult, and I have also seen the movie (which is badly written and not at all true to the story). This book has single-handedly inspired my interest in tornadoes and severe weather. My recommendation? If you've got an older child--boy OR girl--who likes to read good adventures, BUY THIS ONE!! By the way, the story is a fictional account but was inspired by actual events on June 3, 1980, when seven deadly tornadoes hit Grand Island, Nebraska, in a three-hour period.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Night of the Twisters, February 17, 2006

A Kid's Review

Book Review
For Night of the Twisters
By Ivy Ruckman



Would you rather live through a tornado or read about one? I'm guessing read about one. If I was right, Night of the Twisters is the book for you.


Would you believe me if I told you that three kids, Dan Hatch, Arthur Darlington and Stacy Darlington lived through tornadoes? No,of course; not three twelve year olds living through one of the most dangerous natural disasters on earth. You're probably thinking I'm crazy. Well, it's true. One of the best and most captivating parts of the book is how well Ivy Ruckman made the characters so realistic and believable. He also described their personalities and their dislikes and likes.

The end was very well thought out by the author. The characters reflect on their experiences and come away with a new appreciation for life.

If you were to ask me my favorite part, I would have to say the whole entire book. Night of the Twisters created an adventure for all ages. This book is great for anyone who likes on the edge of your seat stories. Before you read this book, put on a heavy jacket. Night of the Twisters may greet you with winds up to a hundred miles per hour. Now what are you waiting for? Go buy the book.

By Cameron Burt