Blizzards and Winter Storms

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6

Each volume presents short accounts of 10 significant storms. In a matter-of-fact tone, the details of each one are described, while color photos illustrate the resulting damage, conveying a significant part of the information through their captions. Eyewitness accounts are featured, as is statistical data for each storm, including its date, location, and casualties. Although most of the events were in North America, other interesting stories include tornadoes in Bangladesh, eastern hemisphere cyclones and typhoons, and the Chinese blizzard of 2008. Blizzards also includes the stories of Scott's Antarctic expedition, the origins of the Iditarod, the 1996 Mount Everest climbing disaster, and the tale of the Donner party in addition to accounts of storms in more populated areas. Explanations of weather terms, such as wind chill and the Enhanced Fujita Scale, are included; additional facts are boxed off from the text; and preparation/safety tips are appended. Blizzards is an especially useful book, while Hurricanes and Tornadoes will be worthwhile additions where more information on these occurrences is needed.-Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH