Blizzard

by L.R. Lehmann

"Warning : Blizzard is based on a true story. What happened to 14-year-old Michael Dowling [in 1880] should have killed him. But, incredibly, it didn't"--Prelim.

Genres: High School, Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Wendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a true story, and it is amazing.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It- and if you are ever feeling sorry for yourself- well this will change your mind! Everyone needs to check this one out. It was also fun because it takes place in Mn.

[Michlle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Blizzard” by L.R. Lehmann was quite an astonishing book. The lexile level is unknown but as an 8th grader, I thought the book was pretty easy to read. Blizzard is a true story about a 14 year old boy named Michael Dowling who loses both his legs, arms, and part of his hand to frostbite from a Minnesota blizzard. Michael Dowling from his point of view, tells us about how he got over obstacles from losing his limbs and still succeeding in life. He told us his story of the problems he had trying to fit in and how it never stopped him. Dowling also told us about all his big life achievements and events. Like going to college, then getting his first job, becoming a principle, meeting his wife and becoming the United States Commissioner of Education and so on. It was Micheal Dowling telling us his life story.
The setting in my opinion, really does affect our main character Michael Dowling. Because it takes place in Minnesota where the blizzard happened. That changes Dowling’s life forever by taking his limbs. So the setting just happened to affect our main character immensely. Now the plot also affects Dowling’s life too. Because of his loss of limbs it was hard for him to start back up everyday things and become like everyone else. Just having that type of problem just has to be tough for a person. Especially at that age too. I think the Author wants us to learn that people can overcome anything they put their minds too and overcoming problems that you can’t see the end too. Is just amazing and life changing. I really think this book mainly taught me a lesson on how overcoming is a great feature to have. This really affected me because now that I know what overcoming is and how much hard work is put into it makes me just want to do it. I really liked this book because it wasn’t just the story it was also the lessons and statements Dowling would say that I thought was really inspirational and I thought that was pretty cool. Something I really didn’t like about the book was that the author would skip a few years of Dowlings life and would give a brief summary about them that didn’t really have a lot of information of what happened. Other than that it was not confusing and easy to read. The Author started the book of of Micheal Dowling who was the older, to an audience and then telling the story he was telling to them but also to us as the book. So I thought that was pretty cool and a good way to tell the story. My favorite part of the book was when Dowling worked as a principal and a teacher was complaining about how a kid shouldn't be part of the baseball team because he had lost his foot in an accident. And Dowling took her outside, up a hill, and showed her all his limbs he had lost. But was still capable of going up that hill pretty easily. That she had trouble going up. And that just stunned her. I thought that was like a standing ovation type of thing. I just really liked that part. I really would recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear a really overcoming, inspirational story. But overall I thought was a great book and should definitely have some more reads for sure.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story. I felt detached from it.

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing true story...of hope and courage. This author did it again, created a blockbuster hit for all to enjoy!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of a 14-year-old boy who was caught in a blizzard in Minnesota. If you are ever feeling sorry for yourself, read this book, and you'll decide your life isn't so bad.