I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900

I Survived

by Lauren Tarshis

More than a century later, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is still America's deadliest disaster. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the horrible event churns with page-turning action and bold hope.

The city of Galveston, Texas, was booming. Perched on an island off the southern coast of Texas, Galveston had been founded in the 1830s. By 1900, it was Texas's richest and most important city. Boats loaded up with American cotton and wheat steamed from Galveston to countries around the world. Arriving ships were crowded with immigrants. The streets, paved with crushed oyster shells, sparkled like they'd been sprinkled with diamonds.



True, this glittering city was prone to flooding. But just a few years before, a weather forecaster had said the idea of a hurricane striking Galveston was absurd.



So when a storm started brewing on September 8, 1900, no one believed it would be any worse than previous storms. They gathered on the beach to cheer on the wild waves. But what started as entertainment soon turned into a nightmare as those wild waves crashed into the city. By morning, hundreds of homes were destroyed. Eight thousand people were dead. The city had all but disappeared,



In this thrilling installment of Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series, one child finds safety only to head back into the treacherous waters to make sure his neighbors are safe.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Juvenile, Historical

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Lauren Tarshis often wonders how she came to spend most of her waking moments thinking about disasters, as the author of the children's historical fiction series "I Survived." Each book takes readers into the heart of history's most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake, 9/11, and the Battle of Gettysburg. Writing these books often makes her feel very nervous, as though at any moment a volcano could erupt right outside her window. Then again, she has learned a thing or two about avoiding being eaten by a shark.
Lauren is also the author of the the award-winning Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love.

For more information, go to her website: www.LaurenTarshis.com

And check out the I Survived Website: www.Scholastic.com/ISurvived

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 (I Survived #21) is the latest in the "I Survived " series by this author, Lauren Tarshis. More than a century later, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is still America's deadliest disaster. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the horrible event churns with page-turning action and bold hope.

The city of Galveston, Texas, was booming. Perched on an island off the southern coast of Texas, Galveston had been founded in the 1830s. By 1900, it was Texas's richest and most important city. Boats loaded up with American cotton and wheat steamed from Galveston to countries around the world. Arriving ships were crowded with immigrants. The streets, paved with crushed oyster shells, sparkled like they'd been sprinkled with diamonds. True, this glittering city was prone to flooding. But just a few years before, a weather forecaster had said the idea of a hurricane striking Galveston was absurd. So when a storm started brewing in the gulf on September 8, 1900, no one believed it would be any worse than previous storms. They gathered on the beach to cheer on the wild waves. But what started as entertainment soon turned into a nightmare as those wild waves crashed into the city. By morning, hundreds of homes were destroyed. Eight thousand people were dead. The city had all but disappeared. In this thrilling installment of Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series, one child finds safety only to head back into the treacherous waters to make sure his neighbors are safe.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the summer of 1900 in Galveston and a hurricane is on the way. Charlie and his family have been assured by weather expert, Isaac Cline, that a storm of such a magnitude could never impact their island city. Isaac was wrong. Tarshis has once again given us an entertaining story that transports us back in time and shows readers what it would be like to have experienced the Great Galveston Hurricane. As a bonus, we get some insight into the famous magicians who were the rock stars of that time. And, the notes at the end are full of facts and photos. For advanced readers who would like to know more about this time in history, I heartily recommend Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby app, Overdrive was better.
-----

I say this all the time but I truly can't imagine living through historical disasters/events she's written about. I'd like to think I would keep a calm head but who knows?

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1900 Galveston was devastated with a 15 foot surge that swept thousands of people into the sea. It was thought by experts that a hurricane could not reach Texas because the winds and pressure would take the storms north, so no one took the threat seriously. It is the deadliest natural disaster in US history. Today Galveston is protected by a 17 foot seawall 10 miles long. This is a short story told through the eyes of a fictional boy. It is part of the I Survive series.

[~Bellegirl91~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This I think is one of my new favorites of this series! I've never heard of this disaster at all (and also I live in Northern Utah and one major crazy event we're known for is the Donner Party. Don't know about the Donner Party? Look it up....) and so I learned a lot about this one in particular and holy crazy! Eek! But overall, this was honestly the best one yet and pretty fascinating but heartbreaking all at the same time. :'(

[keag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book didnt take me long to get thru but cool. i keep like imagining them using regular toilets and light but i remebered that this was more than 100 years ago

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Noooooooo! A powerful blast of wind grabbed hold of eleven-year-old Charlie Miller and threw him into the raging flood.

Premise/plot: This title is the newest in Lauren Tarshis' ever-popular I Survived Series. Charlie Miller lives with his family on Galveston Island. He loves his family, loves learning magic, HATES being bullied. (Gordon Potts is one reason why he's not looking forward to starting school again.) But life on the island is about to go topsy-turvy.

My thoughts: I have read a couple of adult titles on the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. I have found them fascinating, disturbing, compelling. While the complexities of the story are tamed down considerably for this children's book, it is still a good read. The majority opinion on the island at that time--and in at least some "scientific" circles was that a hurricane could not happen there. That Galveston was safe--as is. That no evacuation would be necessary. It sounds so silly, so presumptuous with hindsight, doesn't it?!?!

I liked this addition to the series.

[Flossmoor Public Library (IL) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Lauren Tarshis has done it again with this 21st volume in the popular I Survived series! Charlie Miller is a quiet, reserved 11-year-old who lives in the booming Texas city of Galveston in 1900. He enjoys practicing his magic tricks and going swimming in the overflows that sometimes occur in Galveston after storms. But September 8, 1900, was a day with the worst storm ever to hit this town. No one believes a hurricane would ever hit Galveston, not even the meteorologists. But Charlie finds himself sucked into the storm without warning and has to do his best to survive the winds, rain, rushing floodwaters, and flying debris.

I had not heard of the Galveston hurricane before reading this book, so I learned quite a bit about this Texas city and its history. It's sad to know so many people lost their lives in this hurricane and that Galveston could've had a different story if the storm hadn't hit. The back matter in the book allows readers to discover more information about the Galveston hurricane and its lasting effects on the city. As with all of the other I Survived books, I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in historical fiction or adventure stories.

~ Miss Anna

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I’ve read several books about the Galveston hurricane and even visited the museum in Galveston, so I feel like I have a good grasp (for a layman) on the events of that day, but I still learned a few things from this book. I liked the focus also on bullying and that even the bully can be redeemed. The actual event is described well and the journey the characters take throughout are harrowing and well described. So much going on in this one that, while it has a happy ending, does not end well for everyone and drives home the danger of hurricanes.

[Angie Blocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly! Today in 1900 the Galveston hurricane happened. I know this is a fictional story but it is a true event. And let me tell you, Charlie seemed so real! This book had my heart pounding with worry for Charlie! I just loved this book so much! A tale of bravery, kindness and strength! Bravo 👏 to the author!!!

[chloe🥎💜📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that when George saw Gordon crying, and his father yelling at him, I was like, “Whoa! What a great twist !” And when they were in the tree together, I was also like, “I knew this would happen…” Still, I couldn’t put it down.

[Erin Ching · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a kid who loves nonfiction and facts about disasters, and these books (this whole series) have been a great way to engage him in stories and read together a book that's not just reciting facts about wind speed and square acres of land damaged. The Galveston hurricanes has been one of my son's top most interesting disasters for years, so we were both excited for this one to come out. Now hoping that there will eventually be an "I Survived the Collapse of the Tacoma Narrows bridge"...

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson read on his own and rated it 4 stars.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It's perfect for teaching kids about important historical information.

[Aimy Mattox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the research she puts into these tween books. Allowing you to transport and experience what it may have been like at that time. 
I am a Galveston history buff, and did not remember the storm of 1837! 
I like the real pictures and facts at the end of the book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It followed the formula and had a good side story about bullying. I liked it - but I hope that the next one isn't about a natural disaster.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

116 pgs. This book was very dramatic with not only an enormous, deadly hurricane approaching Galveston, TX but also a local bullying situation in the middle of it all. The time period is a great peek at life long ago for today's kids. I think they will enjoy it even though it was a terribly tragic event in USA history. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because my grandsons have liked the series and wanted a book to discuss with them. For upper elementary this is a great book, for adults it's very simple.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are so cool. I had to look up Galveston on the map. Looks like a suburb of Houston.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurricanes must be way worse than earthquakes and definitely are way worse than tornadoes

[Yasith Abeynayaka]

its a very interesting book and has a lot of action.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Scholastic in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews go here: https://thisblisslife.com/tag/books/

In I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, a young boy named Charlie Miller experiences what can be described as one of the most devastating hurricanes in Texas history. The year is 1900 and in Galveston, Charlie’s biggest worry is his arch enemy Gordon Potts. Gordon is a bully and goes out of his way to make Charlie miserable. On a stormy afternoon, Charlie plots to get back at Gordon when something about the latest storm seems….off. While Galveston had flooded before the collective thinking was that an actual hurricane would never travel so far and reach the town so initially Charlie isn’t super concerned about the storm.

When a hurricane hits later that day Charlie witnesses a horrifying scene. He is trapped in flood waters and scared that he may never see his family again. The waves completely level the town and with 8,000 people missing, Charlie finds an ally in the person he least expects to.

Tarshis does a great job of explaining why the community was so ambivalent to hurricanes even though they literally lived in an area surrounded by water. The majority of people didn’t experience the last hurricane years before so there wasn’t a concern regarding hurricanes. In fact, what’s shocking is that as the waves started to crash onto the beach, people gathered around and cheered.

The excitement in I Survived The Galveston Hurricane builds when Charlie’s family makes their way to Gordon’s house since it’s on higher ground. This particular moment is a good example of people not being prepared and thinking they are safe but really, they end up being in the worst possible place. Charlie’s fight for survival is captivating especially with the descriptions of how much damage the churning water does to him.

Like most of Tarshin’s other novels, the last few chapters show photos and share facts about the actual hurricane which is critical to understanding the setting. While this is a fictional account, Tarshis gives a realistic setting and the view of a massive natural disaster throughout the eyes of a young child.

Rating: 4/5 stars

[Raesa Hinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical fiction novel titled, I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900, by Lauren Tarshis is about a young boy named Charlie, who was living in Galveston, Texas when the Hurricane of 1900 occurred. He lived with his mother (Mama), father (Papa), and younger sister (Lulu). At first, this “storm” did not seem to be a big deal. However, as the book progresses the characters find this hurricane far more deadly than imagined. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age who is interested in historical fiction. Although Lauren Tarshis books are written for a younger audience, I still enjoy them at my current age! This book is just one of the many “I Survived...” book series and readers can read them in any order! What I like about his book, along with all the “I Survived” they are all based on real events. But, the characters are fictional to make the book more appealing and exciting. Personally, I would give this book 4 stars. This is because I loved and enjoyed the family aspect of this book. I also loved how the author used multiple vivid descriptions to paint the picture in my head. However, I do wish that the book included parts from the perspective of other characters. This would have helped me understand their prospective and trauma in this event. Maybe even from the perspective of an adult, I very much enjoyed this book. And I look forward to reading the other ones in the series!

[Mauricio Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900" by Lauren Tarshis is a historical novel that tells the adventures of Charlie Miller, a young boy who faces the devastating hurricane that destroyed Galveston, Texas, in 1900. Charlie, an orphan, lives with his aunt and cousins, struggling to adapt to his new life. He dreams of escaping Galveston and living adventures at sea, like his father.

His life takes an unexpected turn when the deadly hurricane hits the city. As the storm intensifies, Charlie must overcome his fears and use his bravery to protect himself and his family. The story vividly captures the chaos and destruction caused by the hurricane, which claimed thousands of lives.

Through Charlie's experiences, readers witness the overwhelming power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. The novel emphasizes themes of family, courage, and survival, showing how Charlie learns the importance of staying united in the toughest moments. Lauren Tarshis masterfully combines historical facts with a compelling narrative, making the tragedy of the Galveston hurricane accessible and meaningful to young readers.

I hope you find this helpful! If you need anything else or would like to discuss the book further, feel free to let me know.

[Joey-Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating piece of history and a natural disaster I don’t really know about. A buzzing city by the sea with a growing population, but bad storms constantly occur. Everyone assuming they’ll be safe from any sort of hurricane, only to find that a massive one is coming.

I really liked following along with Charlie, he was a great character so full of charm and care. He was absolutely adorable with his little sister LuLu and always helped make her feel so much better. He was also incredibly smart and brave as he gets washed into the huge waves, he finds that best ways to survive even though it’s difficult.

I loved learning about this piece of history, it was really fascinating, the author is wonderful for also including so much extra information at the end of the book, I honestly adored getting to learn even more facts about it and even why she decided to write things a certain way.

This is an amazing book and I highly recommend them to any educators or parents, they are such a fun read that your children and you would enjoy. The series covers so many areas of history, gives you a wonderful story set during that time and so many additional facts to continue learning.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book details the fictional story of one child surviving the horrible Galveston Hurricane of 1900. Galveston is located in Texas and it was a booming city. It's on an island off the southern coast of Texas and was founded in 1830s. The city was prosperous and boats from all over visited it's ports. When the storm started brewing on September 8, 1900, no one believe that it would be anything worst than they normally had. They thought it was impossible for a hurricane to hit the town. However, when the huge waves comes crashing down into the city, hundreds of homes were destroyed and eight thousand people were dead. The once bustling city has all but disappeared.

This was my first book in the series and I thought it was an interesting read. The horrific hurricane and the destruction it caused was toned down a bit for young readers though. I liked that the author included a section on hurricane facts, Galveston facts, along with tips on how to stay safe during a hurricane. I liked that they also included why they were interested in covering this topic. The book was a quick and easy read and it would be perfect for young readers who have an interest in history.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9 year old son and I enjoyed and learned a lot from this fast-paced I Survived adventure, and as all good historical fiction for kids does, it sparked our curiosity to learn more about the Galveston Hurricane in 1900 and Texas history in general. We both are really eager to travel to Galveston next year and check out this fascinating island in person.

We didn't love the magic storyline or the made-up historical magician, but my 9 year old was really interested to read the back matter about Lauren Tarshis' interest in historical magical performers and how she followed her passion and curiosity about the topic and included it in her book. He thought it was really cool that she let herself include something that was her personal interest in a book that otherwise didn't need it in terms of plot or setting.

Fans of I Survived won't be disappointed by this latest in the series. Highly recommended for elementary library collections.

[Robert Morera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who survives one of the deadliest hurricanes, if not one of the most deadly natural disasters, in American History. The boy lived in one of the greatest and richest towns in Texas at the time, and the location in which his town was built, was never supposed to get hit by a hurricane. What seemed to be a tiny little storm, soon turned into a devastating hurricane that almost entirely wiped out the city. The book does a good job describing the sheer power and destruction of the hurricane, and its aftermath. It makes the reader feels like if they are living through the hurricane and they are fighting to survive. The book is fast paced, as it has chapter. It helps to keep the reader engaged. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in survival stories, natural disasters, and real historical events.

[Henry K-M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book "I Survived the Galveston Hurricane" by Lauren Tarshis is about a young boy in the year 1900 named Charlie Miller in the city of Galveston. Charlie experiences the deadliest natural disaster in United States history.

In the book Charlie has a bully Gordon Potts who he despises. One day Charlie decides to get back at Gordon but a hurricane hits and Charlie gets swept away in the flood and has to partner up with his bully.

"I Survived the Galveston Hurricane" is an okay book so I have some critique. First of all the book was quite east to read and went by fast. Also the book was pretty predictable because I already knew from the start that there was gonna be a flood and hurricane so I was just waiting for that while reading. The book did have a pretty good twist at the end but overall okay.