Description
When a fierce blizzard suddenly kicks up on a mild winter day, a young Nebraska girl must find the courage and strength to lead others to safety.
It is 1888. Twelve-year-old Anna loves life on the Nebraska prairie where she lives with her parents and four-year-old brother in a simple sod house. She doesn’t mind helping out with chores, especially when she is herding sheep with her beloved pony, Top Hat. On the open prairie, Anna feels at home. But at school she feels hopelessly out of place. Arithmetic is too hard, her penmanship is abysmal, and stuck-up Eloise Baxter always laughs at her mistakes.
When an intense Nebraska blizzard traps Anna, her schoolmates, and young teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, Anna knows they must escape before it is too late. Does she have the courage and strength to lead her school through the whiteout to safety?
Alison Hart offers young readers a dramatic story of rescue and survival featuring a plucky, determined protagonist. An author’s note provides more information about prairie life in the late nineteenth century and about the great storm that hit Nebraska in 1888, now known as “The School Children’s Blizzard.”
Reviews
“Readers should identify with Anna and admire her spunk.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Anna is a strong, appealing heroine, and the story is suspenseful.” ―School Library Journal
“This book is reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie series, and offers a good historical point of view in a more concise and simpler version than the Wilder books. The author intersperses a captivating story with history of the frontier, and demonstrates the hardships faced by the settlers during harsh winters.” ―Foreword Reviews
“Children of all ages would enjoy this book, but it is especially suitable for upper elementary readers.” ―ACS Readers Haven
“Well-researched…Anna’s Blizzard is a story both young and old are sure to enjoy.” ―Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database
Awards
Teachers’ Choices ―International Reading Association, 2006
Volunteer State Master Reading List (Intermediate, Grades 4-6) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2007-2008
Golden Sower Award (Nominee, Grades 4-6) ―Nebraska Library Association, 2008-2009
WILLA Literary Awards (Finalist, Children’s/Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction) ―Women Writing the West, 2006
More Details
AR Level: 4.0
F&P: GRL R, Gr 4, Genre HF
Lexile: 570L
Themes: 1800s, Schoolchildren’s Blizzard, Survival
BISAC 1: JUV029020 JUVENILE FICTION / Nature & the Natural World / Weather
BISAC 2: JUV001010 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
BISAC 3: JUV016140 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 19th Century