Day of the Blizzard

by Marietta D. Moskin

Katie had never seen snow like this. What an adventure is in store for Katie on the day of the blizzard!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens

79 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

MOSKIN--Marietta D., 83, beloved widow of A. Donald Moskin and mother of James and Linda, died peacefully on August 3, in her home in Manhattan. Born in Vienna, Austria, she came to the United States with her parents in 1946. She earned a BA from Barnard College and an MA in economics from the University of Wisconsin, and worked as an economist for General Motors. Later, she became a prolific children's book author with sixteen books plus short stories and translations. She was a Holocaust survivor, and her book, I Am Rosemarie, was based on her experiences and has been translated into German and Dutch. It is still used in schools in the United States and Europe. She was a member of the Unitarian Church of all Souls for fifty-five years, and served on its board and committees and as editor of its Quarterly Review. Survived by her children, James and Linda. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

—The New York Times on August 7, 2011

Reviews

[Nader Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced story with good character (katie)I felt the dangers that happened to her in the story, as well as the side characters that appeared, and the atmosphere of the blizzard also!
With good illustrations and writing style i consider this book to be read in the winter season with one set.
(Verdict: 7.3/10)

[Mas5thgrade2012 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i rreally liked this book alot!!!!!!!!!!!<3
~purplerockstar~

[Regina Mcdonald]

This book is a good reading level for 3rd-5th grade. It's a short read and is beneficial for reluctant readers. Day of the Blizzard is historical fiction based on The Great Blizzard of 1888 in New York City. The main character, Katie, is caring for her ill mother and decides to run an errand for her. While she's out, she gets stuck in a blizzard that shuts down the city of New York. When I taught this book, we covered the Great Blizzard of 1888, but we also looked at what the city of New York would have been like in 1888 (transportation, fashion, housing, electricity, etc.). My students were highly engaged.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a brave girl from 1888. Her father is working, her mother is sick with a fever, and her twin five year old brothers are home. She decides to brave the storm to go to the pawn shop to get her mother's beloved brooch back. The storm, wind, ice, snow, etc., are much worse than she ever expected. She fights through and does get the brooch back but what a fight she had to get it.

[Mary Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book i read it with my mom and sisters for school. It was a short historical fiction. It was a really cute story that I would love to read again. I recommend this book if you are in a short story mood!!

[Kathleen Subbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction chapter book about the Great Blizzard that hit New York in 1888.

[Morgan Raye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say it was interesting to see the artwork of the man who illustrated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

[Hannah Grace Whitmill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little story about the blizzard in New York City that happened in 1888. My mom was reading this to my sisters for school and I decided to listen along. 3/5 stars.

[iram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade/Interest Level – Upper Elementary (3rd – 5th)
Reading Level: 630L Lexile
Genre: Historical Fiction
Main Characters: Katie, mom, papa, twin brothers Michael & Kevin, Mr. & Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Lemmon, pawnbroker, poor boy
Setting: Fictionalized urban city in a severe winter storm
POV: Narrator
Rating: 5 stars

This is a story of an eleven – year old girl named Katie who is taking care of her ill mother and younger twin brothers while her father, a train conductor, is stuck in a terrible blizzard. Her mother is getting worse day by day and her father is no where to be seen. He hasn’t returned, so Katie decides to take matters into her own hands. In an attempt to make her mother feel better she treks through a terrible blizzard to retrieve her mother’s wedding brooch from a pawn shop. Dressed in a meager shawl and worn shoes, Katie barely makes her way onto the train only for it to get stuck on the tracks because of the snow. She is determined to get her mother’s brooch back, but the terrible weather conditions test her determination.

This book is great for reluctant readers because it is so suspenseful. Katie embodies the idea of hope, perseverance and determination as she fulfills the promise she made to her mother and takes care of her family while her father, unknown to anyone, is trying to make his way home. I would use this book in my classroom to demonstrate to students just how resourceful and responsible someone their age can be. Also, since the book is based off of the blizzard of 1888 in New York city I would correlate it to the natural disasters that have hit America in the recent past and discuss how they devastate people, especially the underprivileged like Katie.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book. It was too rushed and it didn’t even tell what happened to her dad, or if her mother recovered from her illness! So overall I would not recommend this book to anyone I am pretty sure you could find better books on the blizzard of 1888. (At least I think that was the year.)

[Nancy (Colorado) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classroom library preview

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

i loved it

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Read, REALLY quick read.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok but it never told us about the dad

[Julie Pascoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom is sick, money is tight and they have to pawn a special broach. The day the payment is due a blizzard arrives. Will she get there in time so they don't lose their heirloom?