Night of the Twisters

LEXILE 790 ages 9-12

Ah, more scintillating fifth grade curriculum connections. Having just finished our weather unit in science we're supplementing our studies with a dramatic read aloud of Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman. Here is the Lexile Framework summary, "A fictional account of the night freakish and devastating tornadoes hit Grand Island, Nebraska, as experienced by a twelve-year-old, his family, and friends."

I found the writing a bit awkward, but that probably had more to do with the decade (1986) it was written than the writer's style. It certainly lent itself to a very satisfying read aloud. Our students were enthralled during Mrs. Sullivan's animated reading of the book during snack time every day leading up to our winter break. The experience culminated with a viewing of the DVD on December 23 which I regrettably missed due to a nasty migraine headache.