Night of the Twisters

Dan and his friends live the ideal small-town life in Grand Island, Nebraska.  They swim, ride bikes, hang out together.

When a severe thunderstorm alert is issued for that evening, Dan doesn’t think much of it.  It’s a common occurrence in Nebraska.

But what happens next is not.

Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman is a short, but intense, semi-fictional book about a true event.  Seven tornados hit in and around Grand Island, killing 5 and injuring over 200.  Though scary at times, Ruckman shows the resilience of people, both young and old, and how working together, they can survive a night of disaster and also help rebuild a devastated community.

Recommended for ages 8 – 13.