Blown Away!

Gr 57It will require a patient reader to get to the action in this story set around the 1935 hurricane that devastated Islamorado and Matecumbe Key in Florida. Harlow spends more than half of the book introducing the characters and setting. Jake, 13, becomes friends with Mara, a new girl in town. His mom hires her as a babysitter for her daughter, Star, leaving him more time to work for Sharkey, a gruff old fishing guide. Life proceeds at a sleepy pace until word comes of a hurricane headed for the Keys. At the same time, Star comes down with encephalitis and the family is frantic. Without sophisticated weather tracking, residents don't know the size of the storm or its exact location. Many choose to leave their homes only when storm surge starts pouring in their doors, and by then it is too late. The characters are well drawn. The palpable sense of unease about the approaching storm, the terror of its strength, and the sense of loss and disorientation are described in detail, and are reminiscent of stories from the recent Gulf hurricanes. However, neither the action nor the foreboding happens quickly enough for readers who are looking for an exciting story."Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC" Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.