Storm Warning

by Elizabeth Raum

No matter how hard twelve-year-old North Olson tries to do what's right, he can't seem to please his dad. When a major flood threatens to destroy his hometown, North is left in charge of his little sister Rosie. A blizzard blows in and his great-grandmother disappears. Can North find his great-grandmother and keep Rosie safe as the flood waters continue to rise? Will he finally make his dad proud?

Genres: Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2021

About the author

As a child, I loved writing reports. For me, doing research has always been a kind of treasure hunt. My treasures are the facts that create pictures of past worlds and faraway places. I've put those facts into nearly 100 biographies, histories, and science books for young readers. I've also written two picture books and several interactive adventures that place you, the reader, inside the story. I hope that all my books lead you to imagine yourself in some intriguing place among fascinating people. Every book should take readers on new adventures in this big, beautiful world of ours.

Happy travels!

Author website: www.elizabethraumbooks.com

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

North and his family live in Minnesota where their town is under threat of severe flooding due to record snowfall and spring melt. He and his classmates are dismissed early from school to help lay sandbags along the river. North seems to always be in trouble with his father so when his father leaves him in charge of his little sister while he takes North’s mom to the hospital to deliver a new baby, he sees this as a chance to redeem himself. The flooding gets worse, a blizzard bears down on them, the power goes out, and he can’t find his great-grandmother who lives next door. Will he be able to save his family and win his father’s admiration? A great story of survival and family.

[S.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the family dynamics between North and his little sister Rosie. While they bickered and had their sibling rivalries, they were their for each other during the dangerous historic flooding in North Dakota. The slow creep of the icy spring thaw water was gripping and frightening as the children tried to survive without their parents (or the aid of a cell phone, which is easy to take for granted today!). However, what I loved most about the story was the relationship between North and his father, who seems at first like a distant and hard to please person. North deeply wants to live up to his father's expectations and make him proud. While he stumbles along the way and makes mistakes, by the end of the story, North gains a better understanding of his own mettle, and his father's love.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Raum lived the setting of this book--1997 Red River Valley flooding in North Dakota. Her main character, 12-year-old North, is put to the test when he and his 6-year-old sister, Wild Rose (dad didn't like ordinary names) are left alone at home as flood waters rise and freeze. They rely on everything they've ever learned and their own creativity to rescue their great-grandmother and keep everyone safe. Subplots involve family dynamics, especially North's desire to earn his dad's approval and his relationship with his sister. An exciting read for young people!