Chasing Helicity

Chasing Helicity #1

by Ginger Zee

Helicity is well aware that her name is unusual - kind of like Helicity herself. The word Helicity means to spin, and for as long as she can remember, Helicity has been fascinated by the weather. The weather is Helicity's escape from her own reality - may that be school, her father's strict discipline, or her brother's imminent departure for college where he's all set to play football. One fateful day, Helicity and her horse head out on a long ride to take a break from life at home. Even with her vast experience with weather, Helicity is unprepared for the elements she faces. The choices Helicity makes before, during, and after that storm will have a lasting effect on her family and her future.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Young Adult, Audiobook

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2018

Reviews

[Maggie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ tween/teen #STEM fiction

"I am a survivor, not a victim."

I thought I was picking up an easy chapter book to preview but survivor's guilt, and approching topics of pain pill addiction and depression and a 13 year old giving beer to her father were not things I expected inside. This book does NOT end tied up in a cute little bow. The "realness" has me loving this book, and I appreciate the honesty given to the characters. I hope it's a series.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya Sci fi about weather isn't what I usually read or even see books about but I did like this sort of story. Didn't grab my full attention though but it was entertaining enough

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helicity has always been fascinated by the weather. When a tornado hits her town while she is out riding her horse, she gets amazing photos and video footage of the event which gets her noticed by a storm chaser/meteorologist in town. It also upends her life. Her family's house is destroyed. Her football star brother who has a scholarship to Michigan State in the fall is injured and his football career may be over. And her father blames her. Because his beloved son was out looking for her when the storm hit (even though Helicity had told her brother on the phone she was fine). She's also conflicted about her continued fascination with the weather and interest in being a storm chaser, even though it has caused so much damage. She really wants to take honor classes in high school next year and pursue a meteorology career, but she has to convince her parents. And that's a serious problem.

This is borderline MG/YA. Helicity is finishing middle school, but is very focused on high school. It just felt like it was leaning a bit more to the YA side, which would make sense as it is the beginning of the series and she'll likely be in high school for the rest of it. I liked the beginning watching Helicity and her town deal with recovery from the tornado (which was very authentically done). I also liked seeing her budding interest in meteorology and learning from an actual meteorologist. I feel like this book should've ended at chapter 15 and the events in the last 4 chapters saved for the next book. They felt so disconnected from the beginning and introduced a whole new set of plot points and crises (enough to actually have been the main plot for an entire other book) so it was horribly rushed, pretty detached from the first 3/4 of the book, and I finished the book going 'What just happened?' And this is why I'm wary of debut authors who have their name the same font size as the title. You know they are riding more on their fame than their writing ability. I'm only giving this 2 because some editor should have told the author to cut that last part of the book. Also, I really didn't enjoy reading about Helicity's dad. He is emotionally and verbally abusive in the way he treats his family and others. I know that sadly that's is a reality for many teens, but I wasn't sure why the author chose to include it in this book. It definitely made the book even more tense and parts not fun to read. And then there was the side plot with Helicity's brother and pain meds that isn't even resolved in this book which on top of the dad drama and the recovery from the storm and Helicity's school stuff seemed like just too much for one book (and that's not even mentioning the last 4 chapters' issues). If this had just been about Helicity surviving the storm and chasing her dreams, that would've been plenty and would've helped this be a better book.

Notes on content: I think I was at 8-10 minor swears and about 5 mild uses of profanity and 2 strong uses of profanity by the end. No sexual content. Storm damage to property and people is mentioned. (Do NOT hand this book to a tornado survivor unless they ask for it. I have taught at a school where several of the kids lost homes in a tornado, and it really impacts them a lot.) Helicity's brother's arm injury is a bit graphically described. Helicity is taken somewhere without her consent at the end and involved in a car accident and another natural disaster that sends more than one person to the hospital. As mentioned, Helicity's dad is a piece of work and verbally/emotionally abusive. It is strongly hinted that Helicity's brother is addicted to pain meds by the end of the book and is stealing to support his habit.

[Ms. Nigeria Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely think this is a great book.. Especially because of the weather. Helicity wants to be a storm chaser and just so happens an unfortunate event puts her on the path to her dreams. But during this time it's a problem brewing in the background with her brother Andy. You have to grab this book.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of action. A girl going into high school wants to be a meteorologist and chases storms. Some of the plot is predictable but I enjoyed the fast pace.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

i need the next one 😩

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great book, not a horrible book. If anything, it's a book that's trying to do too much. Helicity Dunlap will be 14 in the summer; she's science-y but possibly not science-y enough - good enough for college prep classes, but not advised to take classes at an advanced level. But she WANTS the advanced classes. Taking a break from the neighborhood Memorial Day BBQ, she rides her horse up a hill overlooking the town. From there she sees an approaching storm and watches it develop into a super cell that spawns a tornado. Perfect for an aspiring weather geek...except when she realizes it's going to wipe out her town. If the book had stuck to that - Helicity recovers from tornado, meets up with a storm chasing meteorologist, and tests into the advanced science test - it would have been a better book. But the author introduces 2-5 additional plotlines: conflict in the Dunlap family, drug addiction, conflict with a best friend (that erupts and resolves too quickly), Helicity's joining a storm chasing team, and another life/death situation. AND no resolution at the book's end to any of the plots (it's the first in a series). I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helicity has always been fascinated by weather. When her hometown in Michigan is torn apart by a tornado, she's in a unique position to capture the devastation. Her photos bring her to the attention of a storm-chaser who's willing to become Helicity's mentor.

Horseback rides and hailstones. Disaster relief and damage control. Big brothers and bad influences. A nicely complex story that combines family tensions, school friends, and the thrill (and threats) of chasing storms. Absolutely reaching for the next book in the series!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ginger Zee and her passion for all things weather. I'm not usually much of a juvenile fiction reader, but think this series would be great for science loving tweens. While weather is a primary focus, there are other themes that are relevant, even edgy, and bring a bit of drama. I will definitely be picking up book 2.

[mabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Totally recommend!! I started it the 25th at night and then finished it the morning of the 27th.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

is there going to be another one? plz let there be a 2nd and possibly 3rd 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[Hannah⚡️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I have to say is I’m SO GLAD this series exists for kids to read to get them interested in and learn about weather. I absolutely would’ve loved for a series like this to have been a thing when I was in 4th or 5th grade. I can’t wait to one day ask someone what got them interested in meteorology and their answer is this series ⛈💛

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.6

Imagine that you are standing on top of a hill watching an approaching storm. Now imagine that the storm coming has turned into a massive tornado and you need to run for shelter immediately. This is the dilemma that Helicity has found herself in. Before Helicity can get to safety she is thrown from her horse and beaten down with hail. She thinks she is in bad shape until she finds out that her house has been destroyed and her brother is in the hospital. Her brother, Andy, has a scholarship to play football at Michigan State, but when he goes out in the storm to search for Helicity, his car is destroyed and so is his throwing arm. He has to have emergency surgery and all hopes of a college football career have mostly gone up in flames. Helicity feels so guilty but this tragedy has not diminished her obsession with weather. Actually it has intensified it. She wants to grow up and become a meteorologist and storm chaser. It is a dream come true when she actually meets a real life storm chaser, Lana, and her protege, Sam. Lana and Sam take her under their wings to tutor her so that she can get in advanced classes for the upcoming school year. Lana becomes an instant friend and Sam becomes and instant crush. Sam is wild and reckless and that scares Helicity but she is so drawn to him. When Lana asks Sam and Helicity to go on a storm chasing trip for the summer, Helicity is beyond excited and somehow she convinces her parents to let her go. This is a dream trip for Helicity but when dream turns to tragedy, Helicity's life will forever be changed. Will Sam's recklessness endanger all of their lives? Will Helicity lose her love of weather on this dangerous trip? Will Andy's arm heal enough for him to earn his spot back of the football team or will his life nosedive out of control? Read this electrifying book to find out all of these answers.

I absolutely loved this book! Helicity's courage at the age of fourteen is incredible. She never waivers from her love of weather, even when her own father is against it. She also knows what it will take to achieve her dream and she studies hard to make it happen. Ginger Zee does a fantastic job of weaving together weather facts, family problems, first crush feelings, possible drug addiction, danger, and near-death experiences. This book has it all and then some! Do not miss it!! and Get ready because book 2 Chasing Helicity Into the Wind ​comes out April 2019!!

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[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee comes a whirlwind of a tale from which young readers will love and learn.

For as long as she can remember, Helicity has been in awe of the weather. Her name came from her grandmother who passed down her love for all things meteorological. With her brother about to leave for college and her own school work giving her problems, she tries to escape reality by focusing on the weather. One day Helicity is out riding her horse when a tornado hits her town. Her own family, along with most of the community, is devastated by the force of nature. Her father doesn’t understand how she can be fascinated by something so deadly, but Helicity only sees the beauty and knows the more she studies the weather the more help she can be to everyone by being prepared when the next natural disaster strikes.

When it comes to writing is it good to have a good knowledge of the material you are writing about. Ginger Zee comes in full steam ahead with Chasing Helicity and shows she truly is an expert in the field but can also make it interesting and entertaining for young readers. I walked away from reading this with a newfound interest in weather patterns and how to tell what the bad weather might bring. For her first YA novel Ginger Zee did a fantastic job of creating young characters that readers will fall in love with in a story that is thoroughly entertaining. I loved all the characters and the predicaments they found themselves in. Helicity is a strong female lead that isn’t scared to show she’s afraid but also wants to move beyond that fear to help those she cares about. Her family and her friends mean the world to her and when they all find themselves in trouble, Helicity feels her world spinning out of control and is at a loss for what to do until she turns to the one thing she knows, weather. Using her knowledge, she is able to help. I love how Ginger Zee uses Helicity to show it can be cool for young kids to know and have a love for science. The writing is quick without much to slow readers down. I honestly don’t think young readers will have any trouble following along with the science terminology, they might walk away having learned a few things about weather patterns and safety. While there is a slight bit of language I don’t believe it is anything worth staying away from for young readers. I highly recommend this book to young readers that are looking for a fun, entertaining adventure with characters they will easily fall in love with.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characterization for the main character grabs you and holds you through a tornado and the utter amazement and devastation that occurs in just minutes. This book is part of a trilogy.

[Lauren Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give " Chasing Helicity" a 5 out of 5 stars because it is one of my favorite books. Helicity's grandmother named Helicity. When a tornado hits her town during a party Honoring her brothers football scholarship. Helicity's hometown is destroyed and her brother is injured. A meteorologist named, Lana McElvoy, comes to her town and asks people if they had any videos from the storm. Helicity sends Lana a picture and a video of the storm and attaches her name to the photo. She also adds her interests that she has in Lana.

I think that the book "Chasing Helicity is a great book. It really caught my attention when I was reading it because I really like science too. If you are into weather or any thing that has to do with it. This would be a good book for you. I think that this book is perfect for a Middle Schooler. This book put you in a different position because Michigan doesn't have nasty weather like she experienced. This was one of my favorite books and the person who wrote it is very inspiring to me.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for weather disaster related stories and this one was no let down. Helicity's life seems like one big disaster she's trying to escape. After a tornado hits her town and her brother is badly injured, she gets an opportunity to escape when Lana the weather woman invites her along on a storm chasing adventure. I know some folks won;t think a 13 year old should go off like this, but years ago, we took off for weekends, even days during the summer, and I don't think our parents batted a lash. It was part of growing up. Besides she was with "responsible" adults, unlike her father (she gets him a beer???). I'm sure many children do that. We never had alcohol in our home when I was growing up, but I know of plenty of friends and even family, who had alcohol in their homes when their kids were young. To each his own. The story is exciting, has a good overall message, a terrific young woman, unforgettable characters. I think kids 5th grade up, even teens, will enjoy this story.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a middle school reading teacher, I've read literally hundreds, if not, thousands, of novels for pre-teens and teens. This is a reasonable first novel, with interesting characters, and a well-developed, if predictable, plot line. Being unschooled in the ways of storm chasing, I enjoyed the weather lingo and focus. Since this is apparently #1 in a series, I will temper my opinion of the very abrupt ending, and suffice it to say that it has left the door wide open for a sequel. Far too many unanswered questions remain in all the major plot lines, especially as no word of a #2 in the series is available.

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Helicity was a surprise for me. From the moment I started it, I didn't want to put it down. It was clear that Zee put her her own passion and interest into the story. The story was clearly written from a personal place. I loved the plot following Helicity's family through the twister event and aftermath. It was intriguing to see how each member of a family deals with tragedy differently, even while living under the same roof. How tragedy effects each person had me flipping pages faster and faster. I personally can't wait for Helicity #2!

[Sara-Zoe Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. The beginning is great, and then we lose the action until the very end. Instead of the action promised by the cover and blurb, we've got a third person drama - ineffective mom, bully dad, and injured star athlete brother becoming addicted to painkillers. Needed so much editing and the writing wasn't great. 16/30 #30booksummer

[Roaffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I stick to fantasy books but when my grandma told me I would be seeing the author of this book in person and she handed me the book I decided I should definitely read it, especially if they are family! I was so amazed in this story and since then, I'm so much more interested in storms. Helicity is an amazing character, smart, brave, adventurous and caring all in one! I loved this book.

[Yarp Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle School on up. One of the best Middle School Level books I have read in a long time. The way she pulled you in to what the character was going through was awesome. I seen a few tornadoes and floods but know some of the science behind them was very interesting. She made it interesting.

[Lauren Clauson]

Not rating, just because it's a kids book and I'm not sure how it rates against others.
But... I enjoyed this book. I loved how the science behind weather phenomena is explained, and how females are represented as intelligent, independent, and all around rockstars.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! I cannot wait to pass it on to the library at the elementary school I taught at. I know some girls who will identify with Helicity. Hope there will be more.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of middle grade books but to my surprising I really enjoyed the book. There are some cliff hangers that need to be answered. I can't wait till the next book come out.

[Donna Lull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

What a fun read! I love Helicity's gumption. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Not just for teenagers....thoughtful and interesting!

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a great book especially for people who like Realistic Fiction and Tornadoes and that kind of stuff.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I’m an adult, I loved this book. I’m a meteorologist and weather weenie so I had to pick it up. Wish it was around when I was younger!

[Barbara Boustead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I would have loved to have read when I was a little girl!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raced through this book like Helicity racing to a storm. I think I held my breath for about 20 pages and my heart is still pounding!