The Great Storm: The Hurricane Diary of J. T. King, Galveston, Texas, 1900

by Lisa Waller Rogers and Rogers

Book Overview

More than a century later, the Galveston hurricane of 1900 is still the largest natural disaster in American history. Pounding most of the historic island city to rubble, and claiming perhaps as many as eight thousand lives, the storm stranded Galveston's stunned survivors without a bridge to the mainland. When the bridge was rebuilt, amazingly in eleven days, only the most stalwart--like fictive young diarist J. T. King--would choose to stay. Before the storm, J. T. is a normal, active teenager, swimming, riding his bike, and getting into scrapes with his best friend, Ippy. Though J. T. sleeps on a rickety cot in the pantry of his grandmother's boardinghouse, life at the corner of Q1/2 and 25th Streets is as secure as the sturdy old house itself. But when the hurricane hits, brave and compassionate J. T. is poised to weather and record for all time the greatest storm any American has ever survived. Extensive primary-source research forms the backbone of J. T.'s thrilling authentic and richly detailed diary. The historical appendix, complete with photos and map, is invaluable to young readers and teachers alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896727203
• ISBN13: 9780896727205
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Texas Tech University Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

I LOVED this book! 5 stars!!!

I LOVE this book! The story was well written and it had suspense and thrill; I felt like I was there alongside J.T., fighting out the Great Storm that hit Galveston, Texas in 1900. I couldn't stop reading! This fantasic story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. Written in first person, the descriptions are wonderful, and the deatails are simply breathtaking. The author did a terrific job of describing the events that actually happened on that terrible day in 1900. The diary by J.T. is told with feeling and emotion, and J.T. is a wonderful character to include in the story. This book is one of my favorites, and I can't wait to read more books by Lisa Waller Rogers. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!