Chasing Helicity: Into the Wind

Chasing Helicity #2

by Ginger Zee

When Helicity Dunlap flies for Texas to spend time with her best friend Mia she hopes to leave the tragedies of the devastating tornado and flash flood back in Michigan—at least for a little while. Her responsibilities at Mia's Aunt Suze's beachfront bed and breakfast are pretty simple and leave her lots of time to enjoy hunting for sea glass, sunbathing, and exploring a summer romance. But Helicity comes by her name honestly—Helicity means to spin—and her troubles from home follow her south. Her concerns about her older brother Andy intensify—even though he shows up to surprise her in Texas. And if there's one place in the world that has weather to rival Michigan's, it's Texas. She and her friends go out for a day sail and get caught up in a derecho—a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms that once again turn her boat—and life—upside down. She'll have to face her fears and muster all her strength and knowledge to fight her way out of the nightmare.

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

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Helicity Into the Wind was overall one of my favorite books I have ever read! I read the first book over the summer (Chasing Helicity), which set this story up really well! The most amazing part of this story was how it was so well crafted and well worded. It was also very addicting and it was one of the best page-turners!

I loved the part when Helicity and Mia (Her best friend) finally saw each other after the flash flood a year earlier. I also loved the part when Helicity came to the beachside house that Suze owned. The detail was so in-depth and fantastic!

I would recommend this book to realistic-fiction and adventure lovers!
Overall amazing book!

[Gina Schaarschmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this up, I had no idea it was a sequel. I was too far into it when I realized it and I finished it in 3 sittings, which is pretty quickly for me.

I loved it! It's science geeky, because the main character is way into the science of weather and storms. It's got action and adventure, as there are strong storms that threaten the characters and communities. It also includes a mild teen love triangle, which bumps it to a solid middle school book (or older middle grade).

I will definitely investigate the series for our library. A really fun read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the trying time had at the end of the school year and the disastrous storm chasing event that leaves her mentor in a coma, Helicity travels to Texas to visit with best friend Mia at her aunt's Bed and Breakfast and escape the drama at home. Storm chasing pal, Sam, who had disappeared after the accident, turns up at the B&B along with Hel's brother, Andy, who is still acting strangely. There are a few enjoyable interludes, with the addition of a new friend, before weather and more drama intrude.

[Lynnette Hennesey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, and keeps the reader going chapter to chapter. Warning: Cliff-hanger!

[Alli Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing installment, this time with a cliff hanger ending!

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written by ABC News meteorologist Ginger Zee. This is her debut novel with plenty of accurate weather information.

Ginger is an expert meteorologist not an expert writer, but the book is good. As I listened to the story it seemed to me that Helicity WAS Ginger. Helicity by the way means, a combination of the spin and the linear motion of a subatomic particle or just to spin. It’s a physics term. The word was new to me.

13-year-old Helicity escapes a devastating tornado that sweeps through her town. A girl fascinated with weather, she is caught up in filming instead of thinking safety and she barely escapes. Older brother, Andy, went out looking for her as the storm strikes, and he is less fortunate. He’s injured, possibly ending a promising football career and leaving their father raging about his potential loss of a scholarship. It is hinted at, that her father blames her for Andy’s condition.

Helicity, still fascinated by weather, attracts the interest of a young female meteorology professor and storm chaser, Lana. Lana has a 17-year-old male sidekick named Sam, who too often lets his enthusiasm carry him into danger, breaking Lana’s safety rules.

Helicity, in spite of her age, is implausibly invited to spend the summer storm chasing with Lana and Sam who are proclaimed, storm chasers. Helicity is just 13 and amazingly, her parents agree to let her go with these people. The action ramps up with Helicity riding along with reckless Sam. They encounter dangerous flash flooding resulting in great injuries.

The book has many warnings about dangerous weather and also a lesson on how addictive pain meds can quickly become. The weather is fully believable, but the plot stretches credibility almost to the breaking point. The book ends abruptly waiting, I assume, for the next installment in Helicity, weather girl.

This might possibly appeal to females who are weather-focused.

[April Poulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely interesting and held my attention from start to finish. That being said, there were elements of the story that led me to give it fewer stars.
In real life I don’t believe that parents would send their 14 year old daughter over a thousand miles away, to a stranger’s house, with an undetermined return date, and then hardly have any contact with her. Helicity talked with her parents two or three times in the whole book and they were very brief conversations. Where was the conversation with her parents about the horrible events of the derecho? Some very traumatic things occurred that a 14 year old girl would most likely feel the need to share with her parents. Also, surely informed and involved parents would be aware that a powerful hurricane is headed toward where their teenage daughter is currently residing; there would be more communication about the storm and coordination of getting their daughter home or at least out of harm’s way. Anyway, I had a hard time swallowing the poor parenting.
Another issue I had with the book is Helicity’s varying levels of maturity. She’s so knowledgeable about weather and her understanding of and desire to study it are way beyond her years. When the derecho occurred she was able to stay calm and level-headed throughout the ordeal. On the other hand, when it comes to Andy at the end of the book she seems very immature. She finds out he has a serious addiction but she doesn’t tell an adult. Then, when the hurricane is coming she thinks it’s a good idea to go looking for Andy herself (even though she knows what’s coming) rather than asking an adult for help. These instances with Andy just seemed inconsistent with her character.
In a nutshell, it’s a fun and interesting read, but it has some unbelievable components that detract from the story.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someday I will chase a tornado with my hubby and cousin. Until then I find myself gravitating towards people who breathe weather as a hobby or profession. Into The Wind is the second book in the Chasing Helicity series and picks up right were the first book ends. This title includes limited profanity and perscription drug abuse and concludes as a cliff hanger without tying up any of the storylines. Definetly worth reading but in tandem vs as published.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interest Level: 3-6

How would you feel if the thing you loved most in this word, weather and storms, is the one thing that destroyed your town and your family? This is what happened to Helicity Dunlap. Helicity wants to grow up and become a meteorologist and a storm chaser. However, when a tornado destroyed her house and caused her brother's car to be totaled and break his arm, his dreams of a football scholarship at Michigan State go down the drain. With all of this going on you would think that Helicity wants to forget her dream, but she doesn't. She actually goes on a storm chasing event for the summer with her mentor, Lana, and her protege, Sam. That trip took a horrible turn when Sam and Lana get caught up in a flash flood. Lana risked her life to safe Helicity and she ends up in a coma because of it. Sam goes missing and Helicity is left to deal with all of this on her own. Help comes from her best friend, Mia, when she invites her to come and stay with her at her aunt's bed and breakfast on the beach in Texas. Helicity is thrilled to escape her everyday life, even if just for a little while. What she doesn't expect is the week after she gets there her brother, Andy, shows up with Sam. Sam has come to apologize for all of the trouble he caused and Andy needed to get away from their control-freak father. Helicity has an extreme attraction to Sam, but when she meets a boy on the beach who has no association with her past, she develops a crush on him too. Meanwhile, Helicity doesn't realize that her brother is spiraling out of control with a pain killer addiction. To top everything off, there is a hurricane heading straight to the coast of Texas. Will Helicity ever be able to forgive Sam? Will she make a choice between the two guys or will she blow both chances? Will Helicity face the problems with her brother and get him help or will things come to a tragic end with Andy? And will Helicity, her brother, and her friends be able to get off the coast before he hurricane hits? Do not miss this incredible second book in the Helicity series!!!

If you have read any of my previous post then you may have read that I am a pretty slow reader. So when I say that I read this book in a couple of days says a lot about this book. I could not put it down!! The way Ginger Zee weaves teenage crushes, possible drug addiction, and imposing hurricane all together is amazing! The way this book ends leaves you wanting so much more. I actually tweeted Ginger Zee and said "How could you end book 2 this way? How long do I have to wait for book 3? Holy Cow!" This is a must read book and I can not wait for book 3!!!!! Ginger Zee, bring it on!!

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[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the follow up to Chasing Helicity, Ginger Zee brings more action, adventure, and even a little romance that readers will not want to miss.

After the crazy adventures Helicity Dunlap has gone through, her parents think a change of scenery to recuperate from the turmoil. Helicity’s best friend Mia has gone to be with her Aunt in Texas and help with her bed and breakfast. Mia invites Helicity to come spend some time at the beach with her. Helicity enjoys roaming the beach, spending time with her friend, and trying her best to get past the trauma of the last few months. When her brother, Andy, shows up to surprise her she knows something is going on with him but doesn’t want to upset him by accusing him of something she can’t be sure of. After the tornado at home that injured Andy, he hasn’t been the same and Helicity feels responsible. She wanted to escape all of that by coming to Texas but that doesn’t seem possible. When she and her friends go out sailing and get caught in intense weather, Helicity once again finds herself in the eye of the storm.

Ginger Zee has done it again. I was very impressed with the first Chasing Helicity book and the second is just as good, if not better. I love the character of Helicity, she is strong but also willing to admit her faults and learn from her shortcomings. This book picks up pretty quick where the first left off and we see the trauma each of the characters has gone through and how it affects the actions they take moving forward. There are a lot of difficult issues tackled here and readers will be pleased with the way each is handled. The tension was tight with each chapter making the reading quick and enjoyable. I love when an author makes a story that is both enjoyable and something that will make engage young readers. I read a lot of young adult novels and so many of them are short on tension and full of fluff, but not this series. These novels will keep young readers turning the page and aching to learn more about the weather and what they need to know to stay safe when forces of nature come their way. I highly recommend this novel to young readers that love science, adventure, and maybe a smidge of romance sprinkled in.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following double natural disasters in her home state of Michigan, almost 15 year old Helicity is flying off for some much needed recovery time to the gulf coast of Texas to spend some time with a friend who is helping her Aunt run a beach side B&B this summer. While there she meets Trey, who helps her rescue a beached dolphin, but her peace and burgeoning romance with him is interrupted when the troubles at home follows here there. Her wounded brother and her crush from home Sam appear and the warm tropical weather brings more weather destruction into her life.

This is the second book in what may be a trilogy or series for a middle school, grades 6-9, audience by ABC Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee. The plot points cover more middle school issues with young teen topics like first dates, first kisses, spending time away from family for the first time, and her brother’s opioid addiction. The dramatic “hurricane” of an ending is not a true ending, but an enormous cliffhanger for the next book in the series. Overall, a dramatic early teen issues novel with the drama of not one but two natural disasters in one book! One quibble with the opening is worth mentioning as I had not read the first book. I thought she was younger in age about 11 or 12 since she has that airline chaperone next to her the entire flight, but then it was a jolt to realize a few chapters in that she was actually turning 15 during the book and has far more un-chaperoned events in the book that could potentially be more disastrous. I would recommend this book for purchase for any middle school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just how many natural disasters and near death experiences can one young woman go through? Way too many to count that’s how many! I read both the first and second book in this series consecutively and let me just say, that is the way to read this book, to truly understand what is going on you have to have read the first book because it does pick up right where Helicity and her friends left off right after the accident in the last book.

We catch up with Helicity and her friends again after the aftermath of the first book where Lana is in a coma, Helicity and Sam both feeling guilt have gone their own ways. On what is supposed to be a trip to get out of the city and everything that had happened to see her friend Mia, turns out into one disaster after the next both natural and family wise, with Andy, Helicity‘s older brother going off the rails.

This book does end in another cliffhanger, leaving the reader gasping and dreading just what will happen to these characters. But we are left with the knowledge that the author will do these amazing characters justice and come back with a ton more near death experiences and crazy natural disasters.


*E-ARC provided in exchange for honest review*

[Lauryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a lot less happy with this book until the hurricane was approaching.

I'm not going to lie, the love triangle gave me serious ick. When we met Sam he was already working with Lana at the community college, a full grown (though arguably not fully matured) adult. And Helicity was GOING TO BE a freshman in high school. A college student dating an eighth grader. EW.

I get her having a crush on him, that's fine. But Sam reciprocating? I repeat. EW. EW. EW. EW. EW. Wildly inappropriate and unsettling.

And it hasn't even been a full summer since page one of book one yet. How exactly is she now "Fifteen" when she was "going to be fourteen by the end of the summer" when she initially met Sam at the end of the previous school year?!

My take is that someone realized just how EW it is to try to link Helicity and Sam if she's only 14 and they somehow thought a 15 year old dating an 18 year old who is already both seemingly living on his own and has started college in order to have already been on Lana's team in the first book was better enough. I disagree.

And how the Hell didn't he and Andy cross paths, since they seem to be the same age? A lot of the snags I was already sensing in book one really started unraveling the tapestry for me in this one.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Andy, why?! I knew Andy's story would develop how it did, but I still feel bad for him. I also feel bad for Helicity, because she has to figure out how to move on with her life after the first book. I am not a fan of the ending, because it is a type of ending that I do not like.

In other news, I felt this book was a little dark for Andy's arc is dealing with a mature topic for middle school. I am not saying that some kids are not touched by this topic, but I have not seen it mention in juvenile books this directly. It could be that this topic shows up more, but I have not read those books. I think the other reason that this feels too dark is the writing makes Helicity feel younger than 14 going on 15. Usually, I seen books make younger kids seem older than their age. This is not wrong, but it does not make it harder to process some of the topics mentioned in the book.

Verdict: This is an exciting sequel with an ending that makes me want the next book, but it is sad to see the characters cope in their different ways with the events from the last book.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Disney Book Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and Thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am very familiar with this series and the work on ABC Nightly News Meterologist Ginger Zee. This series is definitely starting to develop into a worldwide phenomenon. Storms and Natural Disasters are something that get overlooked and preparedness gets unappreciated until they actually happen. Helicity's passion definitely is a prime example of how everyone should prepare should a natural disaster/storm hits so we all can have an adventure and stay safe. A great series for the young reader to have an adventure and learn a thing or two along the way.

We will consider this book for our JFiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Sean McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great YA series, far better in fact that I anticipated. I love the meteorological information involved and Mrs. Zee's characters are wonderfully full. That was the biggest downfall for this book (if you can really call it that) that it didn't have as much about weather anomalies and focused more on the characters and their individual problems. These were done so well however that I found myself more invested in them than everything else going on. There are also a number of very heavy topics covered in this series, and we go to some dark places, which makes it all the more relatable. I cant wait to read the next one!

[Maryclaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Ginger Zee. She brings weather to a new level with her delivery and knowledge. This is the second book about teenage life and her knowledge of weather mixed. The book contains young romance, drugs, troubled children of divorce and a what life is like for people of all ages living on the Gulf Coast of the United States. A very interesting read for all ages especially early teens. Ginger Zee has the ability to keep your interest to the very end.

[Patrice DeLaPaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter who is 11 years old LOVED this book! She read this book in one day and I have never seen her so taken with a book where she reads all day!!
She picked this book at the library without having read the first in the series. It is a great stand alone book, though now that we know there is another book, we will get that one too!

[Roaffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book which I read in 2 days, the first one I read in 3. I really like the characters of Mia, Helicity and Trey, especially Mia and Helicity though. I've learned so much from the past two books and want to learn much more! I can't wait for the next book, I thank my grandma for introducing this book to me and Ginger for writing it.

[LS Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book more and I still may recommend it to readers really interested in weather stories. But this one had so many aspects to the story and ended really abruptly with no resolution to any of the situations. Perhaps there is another book to come. But even so, this book felt incomplete to me.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boy drama in this book was a bit much for me. I also hate when authors leave a book on a cliffhanger. There should be some type of closure to the end of this book even if the author wants to allude to things in the third installment. I felt like nothing was resolved in this book Hopefully the third book will bring about a satisfying ending.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful continuation to this series by Ginger Zee! A change of scenery still keeps Helicity near weather disasters but in between the chaos, teenage love, theft, and a mystery with her brother’s troubling behavior keeps you on your seat til the end. I can’t wait to start Part 3 to find out what happens next.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-arc copy of this novel.
I had not read the first one, but I really enjoyed this book. I think that you should go back read the first before this one.

[Cristen & Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little drawn out at times but an easy read. I do think it is funny that there is not much, if at all, communication with Helicity’s parents with all that is taking place. I have enjoyed both books so far and excited about the final one.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. There are several situations stemming from a tornado in a small town and the devastation it causes along with the main character's fascination of weather and how it affects us.

[Ashley Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have devoured these books at the age of 12. I still love that this series is real weather science, though the 14/15 year old POV is less cute to me in my 30's. These books are a keeper that I can't wait to recommend to the young people in my life, and I am looking forward to the 3rd book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helicity goes to Texas with her best friend and meets with more storms and weathers some personal decisions and problems. I am enjoying this series in which Helicity Duncan, a young weather fan gets swept away in young love and storms.

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This book is great for everyone that loves storms. There is some blood though. I loved everything other than the blood. This is the second in the series and I really, really hope there are more than three in this series because I want to recommend them to everybody!" -Cadee, age 11

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 2 of the trilogy & I’m eager to read book 3. 5th-7th graders looking for books with some romance will especially like this one. The weather drama makes this series unique.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the first, but I DO NOT and WILL NEVER condone this relationship between a 13/14 year old girl and an almost 18 year old guy. Girls DO NOT need this as inspiration.