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thecampinglibrarian's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
rosemwood's review
4.0
This is based on an actual historical event. It is told by a 12 year old POV. A very quick, tense, and descriptive story about a 12 year old and his experience of having been in a tornado and having to worry about his family. For a middle grade story, this one was really good. You felt what this 12 year old had to do to survive. This would be a very good story for a middle grader, young adult, and adult who wants to read about tornadoes.
brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
This was better than I thought it would be. The cover isn't super appealing, and sometimes I do judge a book by its cover. You could almost feel like you were right there with these characters as they went through the tornadoes. The pacing and the dialogue was good.
the_enobee's review
4.0
The Hatches:
• Dan Hatch - POV character, 12 years old, just had a red-letter day winning a new bike and money in bike race in April (won the raffle and came in 79th place), and now discovers there are black letter days. Night of the Twisters becomes known as Black Tuesday.
• Mom and Dad Hatch. Mom is checking on Ms. Smiley and Dad is out at that farm helping Grandpa.
• Ryan Hatch - 1 year old brother at home with Dan and Arthur.
• Grandma and Grandpa Hatch - live nearby Grand Island in Phillips on a farm. 3rd generation on their farm.
• Aunt Goldie - goes bowling the night of tornado and is missing throughout. Found in omaha in hotel two days later with shaky memory.
• Miverva - that Hatch cat.
The Darlingtons:
• Arthur - Dan's best friend and almost constant companion throughout the story. California transplant, his family doesn't know much about basements and tornadoes.
• Stacy - Arthur's older sister that helps save Arthur, Dan, and Ryan at Dan's house. Then helps Arthur and Dan save Smiley. Dan has a big-time crush on her throughout.
• Ronnie Vae - Little sister.
• Tempest June - Youngest born after the night of the twisters.
• 4 other sisters.
• Mom and Dad Darlington - Dad has office at the Armory where he's reunited with Arthur and Stacy.
Other Characters:
• Mrs. Smiley - Elderly neighbor with new storm door. She is found sleeping in the basement and Arthur, Dan, and Stacy save her after Mom and Ryan are taken to Kmart on bus. The kids get Smiley last seat on small bus out of their neighborhood.
• Kelly - The police officer that takes the three kids our of their neighborhood and attempts to deliver them to Kmart. Another tornado touches down and almost takes them out in route. The windshield and Kelly's glasses are blown out by the near miss tornado contact and Dan has to drive he rest of the way to the police station. The kids stay the night at the station.
• Mrs. Minetti - the matron of the Police station assists the kids.
This story oscillates between feelings of terror related to tornadoes touching down and Dan and friends' bravery and sacrifice. Also with a large focus on Dan's relationships and feelings towards other characters, which adds a nice human touch to the story.
• Dan Hatch - POV character, 12 years old, just had a red-letter day winning a new bike and money in bike race in April (won the raffle and came in 79th place), and now discovers there are black letter days. Night of the Twisters becomes known as Black Tuesday.
• Mom and Dad Hatch. Mom is checking on Ms. Smiley and Dad is out at that farm helping Grandpa.
• Ryan Hatch - 1 year old brother at home with Dan and Arthur.
• Grandma and Grandpa Hatch - live nearby Grand Island in Phillips on a farm. 3rd generation on their farm.
• Aunt Goldie - goes bowling the night of tornado and is missing throughout. Found in omaha in hotel two days later with shaky memory.
• Miverva - that Hatch cat.
The Darlingtons:
• Arthur - Dan's best friend and almost constant companion throughout the story. California transplant, his family doesn't know much about basements and tornadoes.
• Stacy - Arthur's older sister that helps save Arthur, Dan, and Ryan at Dan's house. Then helps Arthur and Dan save Smiley. Dan has a big-time crush on her throughout.
• Ronnie Vae - Little sister.
• Tempest June - Youngest born after the night of the twisters.
• 4 other sisters.
• Mom and Dad Darlington - Dad has office at the Armory where he's reunited with Arthur and Stacy.
Other Characters:
• Mrs. Smiley - Elderly neighbor with new storm door. She is found sleeping in the basement and Arthur, Dan, and Stacy save her after Mom and Ryan are taken to Kmart on bus. The kids get Smiley last seat on small bus out of their neighborhood.
• Kelly - The police officer that takes the three kids our of their neighborhood and attempts to deliver them to Kmart. Another tornado touches down and almost takes them out in route. The windshield and Kelly's glasses are blown out by the near miss tornado contact and Dan has to drive he rest of the way to the police station. The kids stay the night at the station.
• Mrs. Minetti - the matron of the Police station assists the kids.
This story oscillates between feelings of terror related to tornadoes touching down and Dan and friends' bravery and sacrifice. Also with a large focus on Dan's relationships and feelings towards other characters, which adds a nice human touch to the story.
bookgirl4ever's review
3.0
Dan was an only child until his baby brother, Ryan was born. He resents all the care Ryan takes and spends much of his spare time with his best friend Arthur. One hot summer's day, Dan and Arthur don't expect the adventure they have that will test their resolve and Dan's love for his family.
The events during the tornado and its aftermath are fast-paced and engrossing.
Grades 4-6th.
The events during the tornado and its aftermath are fast-paced and engrossing.
Grades 4-6th.
kortirion's review
5.0
I saw a dark cloud yesterday and it got me thinking about Night of the Twisters. I must have read this book several times because I sure remember a lot of details for something I haven't read since the 80's! (or as my twelve-year-old would say, 'the late nineteen-hundreds") I was living in Tornado Alley at the time, but it was this book that made tornadoes real for me, with the protagonist kid roughly my age. To this day I have occasional nightmares about tornadoes. I'm giving this book five stars for the lasting impact it had on my life.