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Hurricanes: Earth's Mightiest Storms
An introduction to the power, majesty, and destruction of hurricanes contains eyewitness accounts of the storms, scientific facts about all types of hurricanes, and full-color photographs.
Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
8 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Lauber
160 books21 followersPatricia Lauber is the author of more than sixty-five books for young readers. Many of them are in the field of science, and their range reflects the diversity of her own interests - bats, dolphins, dogs, volcanoes, earthquakes, the ice ages, the Everglades, the planets, and earthworms.
Two of her books, SEEDS: POP STICK GLIDE and JOURNEY TO THE PLANETS, were nonfiction nominees for The American Book Award. She was the 1983 winner of The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children's nonfiction literature.
As well as writing books, Ms. Lauber has been editor of Junior Scholastic, editor-in-chief of Science World, and chief editor, science and mathematics, of The New Book of Knowledge.
A graduate of Wellesley College, she is married and lives in Connecticut. When not writing, she enjoys hiking, sailing, traveling, cooking, reading, and listening to music.
Two of her books, SEEDS: POP STICK GLIDE and JOURNEY TO THE PLANETS, were nonfiction nominees for The American Book Award. She was the 1983 winner of The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children's nonfiction literature.
As well as writing books, Ms. Lauber has been editor of Junior Scholastic, editor-in-chief of Science World, and chief editor, science and mathematics, of The New Book of Knowledge.
A graduate of Wellesley College, she is married and lives in Connecticut. When not writing, she enjoys hiking, sailing, traveling, cooking, reading, and listening to music.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 2, 2011
This picture book for fifth- graders seemed a little too scientific for me. I do not like science concepts and I feel this book was advanced for a middle- grade picture book. It focused a lot on one specific hurricane. I think the book would have been better if the author had written about many hurricanes and went into more about how hurricanes are made then in describing one hurricane. This story is 62 pages which is long for a picture book.
Although I was not very interested in the story itself, the pictures were excellent. This picture book had actual images from real hurricanes. Many of the images were very depressing. They made me realize how lucky I am that I have never had to worry about a hurricane destroying my house. My favorite picture is on page 53. In this picture it shows trees blowing and bending in the wind. All the pictures in the book gave me a better idea of what it would be like to be in a hurricane.
It is good to teach children topics like hurricanes. We recently had Hurricane Irene which destroyed many homes. It is important to explain to children the devastating effects of these storms. A picture book is a good way to talk about it. The children can see what the news is talking about when they are describing a hurricane.
Although I was not very interested in the story itself, the pictures were excellent. This picture book had actual images from real hurricanes. Many of the images were very depressing. They made me realize how lucky I am that I have never had to worry about a hurricane destroying my house. My favorite picture is on page 53. In this picture it shows trees blowing and bending in the wind. All the pictures in the book gave me a better idea of what it would be like to be in a hurricane.
It is good to teach children topics like hurricanes. We recently had Hurricane Irene which destroyed many homes. It is important to explain to children the devastating effects of these storms. A picture book is a good way to talk about it. The children can see what the news is talking about when they are describing a hurricane.
June 15, 2017
Hurricanes: Earth’s Mightiest Storms is by Patricia Lauber and is my first nonfiction addition to this set. Much of this book relays the same information as many of the websites I listed for the set on hurricanes (sorry not included in my review but I will attempt a blog later!), which I actually prefer to this book, because of the textbook style of this book. The reason I chose to include it, however, was because I really liked its discussion on the eye of the hurricane. I wanted to find something that I could use with the Ninth Wish and that talked about the eye specifically because of Lanesha’s experience with the sudden stopping and going of Hurricane Katrina. This book included many different diagrams, and provided a really scientific and educational text. Paired with the websites, this book would be where we got a majority of our factual information.
I probably wouldn't focus on this book, just because of the boring way that information is given. I think that I would have a better chance of getting through to students by using other books or even more web pages.
I probably wouldn't focus on this book, just because of the boring way that information is given. I think that I would have a better chance of getting through to students by using other books or even more web pages.
July 4, 2019
This book discusses the weather conditions that create the storms and the technological developments that allow meteorologists to track them. Color pictures, maps, and lists of other readings hemp clarify the subject.
This book was very informative.
This book was very informative.
October 12, 2024
This was cool, just the prediction stuff is now outdated. The first chapter about the hurricane in the 20s or 30s was really interesting and really set the stage for why prediction became so important.
March 9, 2018
The power and destruction these natural events create is amazing.
March 19, 2015
Genre: Informational Text
This book about hurricanes is not a boring informational text that is full of facts and hard to read. Instead, it is a mixture of information about hurricanes and stories about their impact that is well written and intriguing. In fact, the book is interesting from the start because it begins with a story about a hurricane that occurred in the 1800’s. One thing I really liked about this text was that all of the stories included detailed descriptions and figurative language. For example, in one story the author compares a low-pressure area to a chimney. Although at first glance this might seem strange, I’m sure it can be very helpful to students because the concepts being discussed might make more sense when compared to things students may have had experience with. Another aspect of this book that I really liked, is the way the author incorporates vocabulary and definitions into the text in such a way that it doesn’t make the book feel like a boring textbook. Additionally, she incorporates lots of pictures, diagrams and graphs that support the reading and aid comprehension.
If I were teaching a unit on weather in grades 3-5, I would definitely use this book as a read aloud. In addition, it could be used as a read-to-self book for students who are more advanced readers. I think this book is great for many reasons. One being that it can be used across disciplines. For example, this book could be used for a science weather unit or in a social studies history unit because of all of the historical stories about hurricanes. In fact, the book even discusses technology and how it has changed and advanced over time to allow scientists to learn more about the weather. Another aspect of this book that I liked is that it accounts for other cultures. There is a whole page of the book devoted to what hurricanes are called in different cultures, which I think is very culturally relevant and could add a lot to the classroom.
Another great part of this book is that it incorporates science content besides hurricanes and weather patterns. In fact, the last part of the book is devoted to Hurricane Andrew’s effect on the Everglades in Florida. The author discusses how the ecology is in danger because of this hurricane and how the plants, animals and habitats are all struggling. This could be used to lead in to a different science unit, or to discuss the large impact hurricanes can have on the world. In sum, I think this informational text is wonderful and that teacher’s should consider putting it in their classroom library or using it for a weather unit.
This book about hurricanes is not a boring informational text that is full of facts and hard to read. Instead, it is a mixture of information about hurricanes and stories about their impact that is well written and intriguing. In fact, the book is interesting from the start because it begins with a story about a hurricane that occurred in the 1800’s. One thing I really liked about this text was that all of the stories included detailed descriptions and figurative language. For example, in one story the author compares a low-pressure area to a chimney. Although at first glance this might seem strange, I’m sure it can be very helpful to students because the concepts being discussed might make more sense when compared to things students may have had experience with. Another aspect of this book that I really liked, is the way the author incorporates vocabulary and definitions into the text in such a way that it doesn’t make the book feel like a boring textbook. Additionally, she incorporates lots of pictures, diagrams and graphs that support the reading and aid comprehension.
If I were teaching a unit on weather in grades 3-5, I would definitely use this book as a read aloud. In addition, it could be used as a read-to-self book for students who are more advanced readers. I think this book is great for many reasons. One being that it can be used across disciplines. For example, this book could be used for a science weather unit or in a social studies history unit because of all of the historical stories about hurricanes. In fact, the book even discusses technology and how it has changed and advanced over time to allow scientists to learn more about the weather. Another aspect of this book that I liked is that it accounts for other cultures. There is a whole page of the book devoted to what hurricanes are called in different cultures, which I think is very culturally relevant and could add a lot to the classroom.
Another great part of this book is that it incorporates science content besides hurricanes and weather patterns. In fact, the last part of the book is devoted to Hurricane Andrew’s effect on the Everglades in Florida. The author discusses how the ecology is in danger because of this hurricane and how the plants, animals and habitats are all struggling. This could be used to lead in to a different science unit, or to discuss the large impact hurricanes can have on the world. In sum, I think this informational text is wonderful and that teacher’s should consider putting it in their classroom library or using it for a weather unit.
July 26, 2015
What are earth’s strongest storms? Tornados can do a lot of harm in a short while, but for sheer power over a large area for longer periods of time, the answer is hurricanes, also known as typhoons, cyclones, and willy-willies. Beginning with the unnamed but still remembered monster storm of 1938 that hit the northeastern United States, award-winning author Patricia Lauber explains what scientists know about how hurricanes are made, how they can be detected and predicted, and how much damage they can do. Some of the specific storms of special note which are discussed include Camille at Biloxi, MS, in 1969; Hugo at Charleston, SC, in 1989; and Andrew at Miami, FL, in 1992; among others.
This attractive, well-written book is a great introduction for young readers to help them understand the power, majesty, and destruction of hurricanes and is well illustrated with crisp drawings, clear maps, and numerous photographs, both black and white and full-color. In the back, there are an index and a bibliography for further reading. There is one rather eerie “prophecy.” Lauber wrote, in 1996, “Some areas must take special steps to protect themselves. One of these is New Orleans, which lies six feet below sea level and is mostly bordered by water. The city has built a flood wall, eight and a half miles long, to hold back lakes that could send 20 feet of water into the city during a big hurricane. But the city needs a stronger building code and many more inspectors.” Obviously, this warning was written well before Hurricane Katrina in 2005—but apparently not heeded.
This attractive, well-written book is a great introduction for young readers to help them understand the power, majesty, and destruction of hurricanes and is well illustrated with crisp drawings, clear maps, and numerous photographs, both black and white and full-color. In the back, there are an index and a bibliography for further reading. There is one rather eerie “prophecy.” Lauber wrote, in 1996, “Some areas must take special steps to protect themselves. One of these is New Orleans, which lies six feet below sea level and is mostly bordered by water. The city has built a flood wall, eight and a half miles long, to hold back lakes that could send 20 feet of water into the city during a big hurricane. But the city needs a stronger building code and many more inspectors.” Obviously, this warning was written well before Hurricane Katrina in 2005—but apparently not heeded.
March 24, 2010
This book offers legitimate information and pictures representing all the generals that one needs to know about hurricanes.
The style of this book is represented, really, by all of the elements that have discussed in class. There is a mix of diagrams, charts, graphs, maps and photos to help describe the different elements of hurricanes. Nearly all of these items would contain some sort of caption above or below the picture. The form of the book is definitely a description book, clearly describing all about hurricanes. This book would be very helpful in a classroom that is working on research projects of different weather elements. There is an index in the back of the book for easy reference.
The style of this book is represented, really, by all of the elements that have discussed in class. There is a mix of diagrams, charts, graphs, maps and photos to help describe the different elements of hurricanes. Nearly all of these items would contain some sort of caption above or below the picture. The form of the book is definitely a description book, clearly describing all about hurricanes. This book would be very helpful in a classroom that is working on research projects of different weather elements. There is an index in the back of the book for easy reference.
July 10, 2014
This book contains photos and details about many hurricanes, mainly from 1938 through 1992. The photos are very good and the information is good. I think this might make a good reference book for middle school students. I was looking for a book for use in 4th grade in Florida, and this book seems a too difficult for that purpose. It also is a bit out of date, since it was published before the season of hurricanes Wilma and Katrina, and the more recent Irene.
February 29, 2016
This book is too condensed and comprehensive for a 9 year old to absorb in 1 sitting. If anything this is a great book for a meteorologist in training- great coffee table material (the hurricane Andrew and Hugo photos are the best part- and worst part).
August 14, 2016
An excellent book for children who read well. Not only does it explain how a hurricane forms and why it does so much damage; but it tells the story of past hurricanes. I always enjoy a bit of history in my reading.
February 27, 2013
very informative
February 7, 2015
Good for grades 4-8
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews