The Silent Storm

by Sherry Garland

Thirteen-year-old Alyssa has not spoken since witnessing her parents’ drowning during a hurricane. Three years later, another hurricane is heading toward the island, and Alyssa must come to terms with her parents’ deaths to save her grandfather and brother. “This book will have appeal for lovers of the outdoors as well as anyone who appreciates an exciting, atmospheric story.”--School Library Journal

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

275 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of 30 books for children, teens and adults.

Reviews

[rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why I love this book so much, possibly nostalgia?

I read it when I was young, then a year later wanted to re-read the book but I had completely forgot the title. It haunted me, a nagging feeling at the back of my mind. I could remember bits and pieces of the story -- the storm, the vague romance, her being mute, however, I couldn't recall the title at all. Finally, a few months later, I saw it at the library and pounced on it.

A great compelling novel, very re-readable.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my favourite books ever since i was maybe 8 and I reread this every summer during hurricane season. There's something special about and I hope other people love it just as much as me

[Taylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a kid and really liked it. I randomly got nostalgic for it recently. Really nice visual writing, good story with a lot of heart. Loved it even more this time around. 🥹

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when I was younger and loved it. Have gone back to it every few years and still love it. It's a great story of a young girl who perseveres in spite of many challenges, who faces past demons to save her grandfather, and still has the strength to rebuild after a hurricane.

[Mallory Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was little. It's captivating and fast-paced. Great for reading multiple times!

[Alexa Venne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 8 or 9 and absolutely LOVED it then and LOVE it still!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not remember very many details, but I know I read and re-read this several times as a kid. Re-reading it now somehow felt familiar, even though I couldn't recall what would happen next most of the time haha. The emotional beats really hit at the end, and I got just a touch teary!

[Kyleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alyssa had stopped speaking when her parents where lost at sea due to a hurricane. Her mother's body had been found, but her father was still missing. Ever since then, she has locked up those memories from that time and battles them all the time.

A hurricane is coming and with it comes a hurricane of memories that Alyssa is fighting against. Although she makes a friend, she must find a way not only to keep her family together, but also to relive the memories she has fought so hard against so that she can save her grandfather and possibly herself.

This is one of my favorite books. Sherry Garland did a fine job with this book and how alive the story is. I love to turn a book into a movie in my head and I love becoming a part of the book. In this way, I am attached to the characters and to their story. I can do that with this book.

I love how the characters are real. I also love how Alyssa had to relive and face her fears in order to be truly free.

She learned to face her problems and fears instead of hide from them.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy real problems and facing fears. I first wanted to read this book because Alyssa was mute. I enjoy those kind of stories because its not a normal person as the charactern. It's a special person as the character. It brings something new. So maybe if people like that type of thing, they would like this book.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alyssa hasn't spoken for three years. Not since the hurricane that took her mom and maybe her dad. She was the only survivor from the sinking boat and she doesn't remember how. But she's sure it's her fault.

I read this many times when I was a kid. I grew up on the Texas coast where the book is set and it made me love the book all the more. Garland describes living in a small tourist beach town perfectly.

I've thought about it off and on for years, but I couldn't remember the name of it for the life of me, so I asked the BookRiot folks and they answered right away.
I would categorize it as a YA, but luckily without any sticky love triangles. It's all about Alyssa and her relationship with her family. It's a dense enough read that I didn't get bored with the simplicity but still easy enough for a pre-teen to enjoy.

I plan on sharing it with my kids and I hope it becomes as dear to them as it did to me.

[Samantha]

I liked this book. I really didn't think that it would be that good of a book. But it actually was a very goood book. I think that you should try to read it sometime. It is good.
It is about this young girl. She lost her parents and she was living with her grandfather. She couldn't talk at all she wanted to but couldnt. With this disability she cant do a lot of things she loves but then she can do a lot of things to because she loves them. READ IT!

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite gripping and affecting. Alyssa's courage, in the face of both physical danger and emotional trauma, is inspiring. The end ties up awfully neatly but I so badly wanted the cast of characters to wind up okay that I didn't mind.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I've re-read this book since I was a child. It's a great story about a young girl overcoming some horrific trauma, but I think that the very ending was kind of underwhelming to me because not a lot is resolved. I mean, the most important conflict is, but the author didn't seem to have fleshed out anything else after that which I didn't love. Going to give this 4 stars for my overall enjoyment though, the writing totally holds up!

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading these reviews! I also read this book around 8 or 9 and it has stuck with me so much that I searched for it on her just to review it almost 30 years later. Sherry Garland was a favorite author for years. Love this and Cabin 102.

[Diana R · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books. I can still picture the scene my imagination created while reading, as Alyssa’s father spoke to her during the storm that changed her life. Wonderful book for children.

[Ena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all time favorites! It is so suspenseful and exciting and it had me glued the whole way through! I totally recommend reading this book!

[Leah Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books main character, Alyssa, has me feeling very thankful for what I have today, and thankful I'm not deaf!

[Stephanie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book back in middle school and always remembered that I loved it. I re-read this now at 28, and it was even better !! Ugh will always be my favorite book.

[Persephone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's sentimental to me

[Heather DeCarlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrifying and beautiful story. I read this one many many years ago and may read it again if it still resides on my mother's bookshelf.

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of my favorites in like 7th grade and she still holds up

[Anna Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite childhood book still holds up!

[Dawn Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a kids books some things that didn’t make sense but it was a clean fun read

[Rosemary Sisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow nostalgic, sweet teary book

[Badon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well written. I was on the edge of my seat the entire read. I was shocked to discover that the recommended age for this book is 8-12 year olds; it would be an exciting/adventurous read for youth, but wouldn't say that the prose or subject matter are childish. The mystery of her amnesia along with the impending hurricane create an extremely intense setting. And while I do not typically enjoy coming-of-age storylines, I would recommend this book to nearly anyone looking for a gripping, un-put-downable read.

[Ashley Fuhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I read it multiple time and decided to re-read some of the books that turned me into a reader. I was a little underwhelmed from what I remember, but it was still a good book. I can definitely see the appeal for a younger reader. It is a page turner.

[Sarah McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book since I was 10 and every other year or so I pick it up and reread it. Every time something new strikes me about the story, the heroine, the storm itself. This is one of my favorite stories of all time.

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book showing that we need to face our fears!

[Jordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this in the sixth grade and I loved it!

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing to be said

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book all growing up. I love how Sherry Garland explains the inner turmoil that is going on inside someone who can't express how she feels- probably like a lot of us