Bibliography

Theme 1: Nature's Fury

The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Recommended Leveled Books for Independent Reading

Below Level

Hurricane! by Corinne Demas Bliss
Cavendish 2000 (32p)
A family rides out the storm when Hurricane Bob strikes Cape Cod.

The Blizzard's Robe by Robert Sabuda
Atheneum 1999 (32p)
In this Arctic tale, a young girl makes a robe for Blizzard, who then creates the Northern Lights.
Multicultural

Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm by Carla Stevens
Puffin 1985 (64p) paper
Anna is determined to get to school, despite a major snowstorm.

Birdie's Lighthouse by Deborah Hopkinson
Atheneum 1997 (32p)
Young Birdie is the only one who can tend the lighthouse in the midst of a violent storm.

Storm on the Desert by Carolyn Lesser
Harcourt 1997 (40p)
This book poetically describes what happens when a storm strikes a desert in the Southwest.

* Rain Player by David Wisniewski
Clarion 1991 (32p)
Pik hopes to save the people of his Mayan village from a drought.
Multicultural

Wild Weather: Lightning by Lorraine Hopping
Scholastic 1999 (48p)
The author explains the power of lightning and its positive and negative effects.
Science

Rocking and Rolling by Philip Steele
Candlewick 1997 (24p)
Volcanologists and other scientists study volcanoes, tsunamis, geysers, and glaciers.
Science

Wildfire by Patrick Cone
Carolrhoda 1997 (48p)
Learn how destructive wildfires are also a part of nature's cycle of growth.
Science

Tornadoes by Seymour Simon
Morrow 1999 (32p)
Simon explains how tornadoes are formed and how we can protect ourselves from them.
Science

Storm Chaser by Keith Elliot Greenberg
Blackbirch 1997 (32p)
NOAA pilot Brian Taggart flies into the eye of a hurricane to study it and report on its progress.
Social Studies

Tornado by Betsy Byars
Harper 1996 (49p)
A farmhand tells how a dog, complete with doghouse, blew into his life during a tornado.

On Level

Trial by Ice by K. M. Kostyal
National Geographic 1999 (64p)
This photobiography of explorer Ernest Shackleton is introduced by his granddaughter.
Social Studies

The Volcano Disaster by Peg Kehret
Minstrel 1998 (136p) also paper
Warren and Betsy get more than they expect when they research Mount St. Helens.

Tracks in the Snow by Lucy Jane Bledsoe
Holiday 1997 (96p)
Erin and Tiffany struggle to survive a snowstorm in the Sierras.
Multicultural

Earthquake at Dawn by Kristiana Gregory
Harcourt 1992 (192p)
This story of the 1906 earthquake is based on an actual letter and photographs.

Earthquake! A Story of Old San Francisco by Kathleen Kudlinski
Puffin 1995 (64p)
Philip must save his horses during the San Francisco earthquake.
Social Studies

Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens by Patricia Lauber
Aladdin 1993 (60p)
The devastating 1980 eruption was followed by the return of life to the area.
Science

Flood by Mary Calhoun
Morrow 1997 (40p)
Sarajean and her family are forced to leave their home during the devastating Midwest floods of 1993.
Social Studies

Shock Waves Through Los Angeles by Carol G. Vogel
Little 1996 (32p)
This book looks at causes of the 1994 earthquake, its devastation, and the heroic rescues it inspired.
Social Studies

Blizzards! And Ice Storms by Maria Rosada
Simon 1999 (64p) paper
This informative book contains meteorological information, as well as safety tips and interesting facts.
Science

El Niño! And La Niña by Sally Rose
Simon 1999 (64p) paper
The author shares many facts about these two worldwide weather phenomena.
Science

Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman
Harper 1986 (159p) paper
A boy and his family struggle to survive a series of devastating tornadoes.
Classic

Fire in Their Eyes by Karen Magnuson Beil
Harcourt 1999 (64p)
The author discusses the training for people who fight wildfires and looks at the dangers they face.
Social Studies

Missing in the Mountains by T. S. Fields
Rising Moon 1999 (136p)
A brother and sister fight for their lives when they are caught in a sudden avalanche.

Blizzard: Estes Park, Colorado, 1886 by Kathleen Duey
Aladdin 1998 (64p)
Maggie must try to save her cousin, who is lost in a sudden blizzard.

Above Level

SOS Titanic by Eve Bunting
Harcourt 1996 (256p) paper
Fifteen-year-old Barry, on board the ill-fated Titanic, finds his personal problems no longer matter.

* El Niño by Caroline Arnold
Clarion 1999 (48p)
Learn more about the wild weather phenomenon that's been making headlines around the world.
Science