Close to the Wind: The Beaufort Scale

by Peter Malone

Serving as a midshipman in the 1800s and sailing from Naples to the Caribbean, a young boy has the experience of a lifetime as the journey is changed constantly by the strength of the winds, in an informative guide to sailing, nautical terminology, and an introduction to the wind scale developed by Francis Beaufort in 1810.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Science Nature, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2007

Reviews

[Noelani · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many interesting nautical facts centered around the creation of the Beaufort scale. This book didn’t exactly grab my attention as the subject isn’t of my particular interest, but the illustrations and facts are what makes it worth reading, especially if you are doing an atmosphere, wind or sailing study.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent children's book on aspects of the Age of Sail. It not only explains the Beaufort Scale but presents life as a midshipman on the 36 gun, Zephyr.

[Laura Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent living book for kids about the Beaufort scale, and navigation and sailing in the 1800s.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and very informative text.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot praise this book enough. It is really a treasure, filled with a fictional diary entries from a midshipman's point of view as the reader learns about the Beaufort's Wind Scale, created by British Naval Officer, Francis Beaufort in 1810. Before then, there was no scientific way for sailors to describe the winds encountered. I've been on two sailing trips with students, a three-masted tall ship and a two-masted schooner, and they were thrilling trips. We studied every part of the ships that this book describes, from the rigging to the ship's terms to learning the songs sung while hoisting sails. Yes, some were seasick and yes, we all climbed to the crow's nest high above the ship's deck.
Each page shares the scientific scale, adds in the diary entry and then adds extra information about myths, the figureheads, the ship's bells and an explanation of knots as measurement. There is a wealth of information, added bio of Beaufort and a glossary at the back. And, each entry includes a gorgeous painting of the way the ship and ocean looked as the wind changed. That last part about sailing within a hurricane was very exciting, and they survived. One added fact is that the USS Constitution is known as the oldest ship afloat. I've sailed on her too in Boston Harbor-what an incredible ship to see!

[Danielle Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how this book is set up as a journal. It seems to make it more enjoyable to read because it helps the reader feel as if they are on the boats and experiencing the journey. This would be a great book to use if talking about travel. The book is very informative about how sailing is done. However, it seems to be very wordy. I think this book would be best to use with children in fourth-sixth grade. The illustrations in this book help show the detail of the ships which is very helpful when talking about this subject.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

--grades 4-6
--Beaufort scale began as journal entries of a British Naval captain. After observing for five years, he developed a scale based on qualitative conditions. This scale was eventually adopted by the Royal Navy.
--different from the Saffir-Simpson scale, which uses actual quantitative wind speeds.
--Great way to link History with Science and how methods change with the introduction of new technologies.

[Denise Choate · Rating 4 out of 5]

2007 Historical fiction: this sotry is of how the Beaufort Scale was invented by Sir Francis Beaufort who was alive in 1774-1857. I loved how this book was written in the form of a journal of being on a ship with the needs of a scale in order to measure the wind and its compasity. I found this book interesting and informative. The pictures were life like, yet freindly and welcoming.

[Rosie Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book talks about what it was like to be a sailor in the early 1800s. It is written in a series of letters to a woman named Lizzie and includes a great deal of information about how sailing was done at that time. I would use this book in my classroom to talk about explorers and how they traveled.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a kid book, but shows students how the wind is measured in knots. Ideal for 9th grade science.

Common core tie--Reading standards for Literacy in Science and Technical. # 9 grades 9-10.
“Compare and Contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including experiments, noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations.

[Brittany Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre- Non Fiction
Awards-none
Grade Level- 5-6

This book would be a great book to incorporate non fiction in you classroom. The students would immediately enjoy this book just based on the pictures. A great follow up activity would be to create a class "we do" non fiction paragraph then allow the students to create their own non fiction paragraph to share with the class.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mitten Award Contender 2007
A fascinating look at the maritime world. Interesting format - each page a different level of the scale with corresponding pictures illustrating some of the characteristics of that level of wind.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I went sea kayaking in Baja, and got caught in 5' waves, I have been interested in the Beaufort scale. Here is a nice photographic display.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very educational. The illustrations are awesome!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I'm not sure that my children are ready for it.

[Nikki]

IL: LG
BL: 6.8

This would be another book to use with weather in the classroom. This is a story of the development of a scale to describe the wind for sailors.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction explains the creation of Beaufort scale.