Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America facts for kids
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| Author | Jim Murphy |
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| Cover artist | Leonid Gore |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Children's non-fiction, US history, |
| Published | 2000 (Scholastic) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 136 |
| ISBN | 9780590673099 |
| OCLC | 41108574 |
BLIZZARD! The Storm That Changed America is an exciting history book for young readers. Written by Jim Murphy, it tells the true story of the Great Blizzard of 1888. This massive snowstorm hit the northeastern part of North America. The book focuses especially on how the storm affected New York City. It helps readers understand what life was like during one of America's worst blizzards.
Contents
About the Book: BLIZZARD!
What is BLIZZARD! About?
This book takes you back to March 1888. It describes a huge snowstorm that surprised everyone. The blizzard brought strong winds and tons of snow. It covered cities and towns in a thick, icy blanket. The book shares real stories of people who lived through this event. You will learn about their struggles and how they helped each other.
Who is Jim Murphy?
Jim Murphy was a famous American author. He wrote many non-fiction books for young people. His books often focused on important historical events. He was known for making history interesting and easy to understand. Murphy did a lot of research for his books. He used old letters, diaries, and newspaper articles. This helped him bring past events to life for his readers.
The Great Blizzard of 1888
What Happened During the Blizzard?
The Great Blizzard of 1888 began on March 11. It lasted for two days, until March 14. The storm brought incredibly strong winds. Some gusts reached over 80 miles per hour. Snow fell continuously, piling up to huge depths. In some areas, snowdrifts were over 50 feet high. This was taller than many buildings!
The blizzard caused chaos in cities like New York. Transportation stopped completely. Trains were stuck, and streets were impassable. Telegraph lines snapped, cutting off communication. People were trapped in their homes or offices. The storm was a major disaster for the entire region.
How Did People Survive?
Life during the blizzard was very difficult. Many people ran out of food and fuel. They had to find creative ways to stay warm. Some people even melted snow for drinking water. Neighbors helped each other out. They shared supplies and dug tunnels through the snow. Emergency services struggled to reach people. Doctors had to travel on skis to help the sick.
The blizzard showed how strong and resourceful people could be. It also highlighted the need for better city planning. After the storm, cities started to put power lines underground. This helped prevent similar problems in future storms.
Why Was This Storm So Special?
The Great Blizzard of 1888 was unique for several reasons. It was unexpected and hit a very populated area. The combination of heavy snow and extreme winds was deadly. It caused a lot of damage and many deaths. The storm also changed how people thought about winter weather. It led to improvements in weather forecasting. It also pushed for better infrastructure in cities. This blizzard truly "changed America" in many ways.
Awards and Recognition
What Awards Did the Book Win?
BLIZZARD! The Storm That Changed America received several important awards. These awards show that the book is well-written and valuable.
- 2001 Jefferson Cup Award - winner
- 2001 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
- 2001 Robert F. Sibert Medal - honor
- 2010 Margaret Edwards Award - This book was one of five titles that helped Jim Murphy receive this special award for his lifetime work.
