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Overview
Mikias Mohammed was doing homework in his college dorm room. Around 7:00 P.M. he heard warning sirens. He and the other students at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, knew what the sirens meant. A tornado was dangerously close. Soon it crashed its way through the school. Mikias was buried under what was once the walls and ceiling of his room. He would have to claw his way out.
Look inside to find out more about Mikias and other survivors of tornadoes who narrowly escaped death. You'll also discover what causes these natural disasters, where they occur and-most important-how to stay safe if one is heading your way.
Synopsis
Mikias Mohammed was doing homework in his college dorm room. Around 7:00 P.M. he heard warning sirens. He and the other students at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, knew what the sirens meant. A tornado was dangerously close. Soon it crashed its way through the school. Mikias was buried under what was once the walls and ceiling of his room. He would have to claw his way out.
Look inside to find out more about Mikias and other survivors of tornadoes who narrowly escaped death. You'll also discover what causes these natural disasters, where they occur and-most important-how to stay safe if one is heading your way.
Children's Literature
A Union University student gives a first-hand account of clawing his way out of a building struck by a tornado as this book in the "Disaster Survivors" series begins. A photo of twisted debris and one of a student being loaded onto an ambulance bring the event close to the reader. The fast-paced but easy-to-read text is guaranteed to keep readers turning the pages of this book that has an interest level of grades two to seven. The reading level is set at third grade and written concisely to help with comprehension. Photos work closely with the text and fact boxes on fascinating subjects add interesting tidbits. Twelve two-page spreads cover many tornado-related topics including information about how anything can happen when unpredictable weather appears and a spread showing bizarre photos, like a fork stuck in a tree after a tornado tossed it there. Maps and charts enhance the text. Children will be intrigued by a spread about chasing tornados and will relate to one about the steps to take to prepare for a disaster. Back pages include one about famous tornadoes and one about tornado safety. A glossary, other resources, and an index round out the book. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury