Blizzard! by Jim Murphy

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Murphy, Jim. Blizzard!. New York: Scholastic Inc, 2000.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The book is about a terrible storm that hit north western America and lasted from March 10, 1888 to March 14, 1888. It is estimated that more than one thousand people died in the storm.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Murphy tells a chilling tale of the storm that changed America. The author's representation of the history is somber during the tales of death and destruction. The images that are used in the book are pulled directly from the newspapers and articles of the time period. Each picture is accompanied with a sidebar detailing the significance of the illustration or photograph. Readers will trek the journey as they discovers the triumphs and failures of the citizens in and around New York City. Sadly, many people were lost due to the fear of unemployment or a feeling of obligation. Murphy pulls his information from a variety of primary sources like biographies, diaries, and letters to keep an honest history. He is able to directly quote survivors of the time. To those who sadly passed in the storm, Murphy takes a little artistic license to give a voice to those who did have a chance to share their pain. These instances keep young readers interested in the narrative as well as acknowledge their passing.


4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Robert F. Sibert Award Honor Book

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

From Publisher's Weekly: "With a confident and sometimes matter-of-fact tone, Murphy describes how all citizens from all walks of life in Manhattan, New Jersey and Connecticut were impacted by the devastating cold and snow. Accounts of survivors and victims provide a captivating blend of gravity, immediacy and drama. Murphy's well-rounded information about the various circumstances that worsened the effects of the storm make the tale both more fascinating and more tragic."

From Children's Literature:  "Murphy provides the personal touch with his accounts of individuals; some survived the storm and others did not. His clear and even-handed approach to describing the details makes this a page-turner. He never sensationalizes."


5. CONNECTIONS

Other Books by Jim Murphy:
The Great Fire   ISBN: 9780312423582
The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War   ISBN: 9780590456043
The Long Road to Gettysburg  ISBN: 9780395559659
Across America on an Emigrant Train    ISBN: 9780395764831
A Young Patriot: The American Revolution as Experienced by One Boy   ISBN: 9780395605233

Lesson Plans:
Scholastic, who is also the publisher, offers a great lesson that correlates with the book. It is for middle school students. Find it here: Blizzard! Lesson Plan

Scholastic offers a great lesson plan for young elementary students to help introduce nonfiction or information books. Check it out: 5-Day Unit Plan for Introducing Nonfiction