Winter Thunder

by Mari Sandoz

In a blinding blizzard a schoolbus overturns and a young teacher, her seven pupils, and the driver—a mere boy—are stranded in the open country, miles and miles from the nearest ranchhouse. Thus Mari Sandoz introduces a situation that will stretch the limits of human endurance. The exposed little group is armed with no more than the lunches they started out with and only the clothing required for a normal winter's day. As a killer storm takes hold and the mercury plunges below zero they become desperate. How each character facesthe terrifying prospect of freezing to death is a story that has become a small classic. And because it is based upon fact—the author's niece experienced much the same ordeal in the paralyzing midwestern blizzard of January 1949—it has the ring of undisputed truth. Winter Thunder has been named by the Reader’s Digest as one of the ten best American short novels.

Genres: Fiction, American

61 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1954

About the author

Mari Susette Sandoz (May 11, 1896 – March 10, 1966) was a novelist, biographer, lecturer, and teacher. She was one of Nebraska's foremost writers, and wrote extensively about pioneer life and the Plains Indians.

Reviews

[Rebecca Tredway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novel completely had my attention. Perhaps it was our own (recent) hard winter that made me wonder what I’d do in the shoes of a teacher who found herself stranded with pupils, or maybe it’s because this blizzard took place in my own state in 1949. Whatever the reason, I’m 100% sure this young teacher was braver than I would’ve been.

[Kelly's Book list · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in high school as part of a short story literature class. It stuck with me over the years until I found it again and related to it differently now as a teacher myself. I wonder how well I would do in a survival situation like this?? I admire her courage and skills knowing how scary it is to have the responsibility of little lives in hands.

[Ben Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short, but chilling, tale of survival. Literally.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick one hour read perfect for a cold and snowy day. Based on true events in 1949, it’s a story of courage and resilience.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and a bit heart breaking. Gets right down to the true grit of the story. Based on some true events in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story portrayed the intensity of being stranded during a blizzard well.

[Letty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, gripping page-turner of a disaster tale. Interesting character development, suspense, and just enough plot development to get through the storm in under 100 pages.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick novella -- more of a long story, really -- based on actual events of 1949, when a school bus crashed in the middle of a prairie blizzard. In this book, the seven students are accompanied by their 23-year-old teacher and a 16-year-old bus driver. They have to think quickly and work together to try to stay alive for who knows how long as the winds howl and the snow piles up. The story is almost all plot -- hardly any of the psychology involved in such a desperate situation -- but is starkly compelling nonetheless.

[Laura Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child in a place with lots of winter and lots of thunder, but never at the same time, I found the title of this book absolutely intriguing. I seem to remember feeling that the brilliance of the story didn't quite live up to the title, but to this day I can still remember the images Sandoz crafted in my mind of all those children huddled together in a cave made of snow.

[Judy Gacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Nebraska's great authors along with Willa Cather, John Neihardt, Wright Morris, Loren Eiseley, Beth Streeter Aldrich.

This novella is based on a true story and rings true. While it is not a Christmas story I re-read it every year along with my Christmas books.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. I could relate, since I have spent so much time in the snow, making my own shelters and tunnels. It's even more poignant when you know it's based on real people.

[Wendy Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stark, clear, cold....just like a South Dakota winter. The kind of book you could read in a high school lit. class.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little novel about a group of kids caught in a snowstorm. Read it while working at the museum over the last few days.