link to reading and spelling link to reading comprehension link to math link to gifted/LD link to older learners page link to contact information


Related links at Resource Room:

Products:

Stone Fox Comprehension Companion

 

Harry Potter Comprehension Compendium

 

Home > Reading Comprehension > book reviews > Night of the Twisters

Book Review: Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman

Title & Author:Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman Harper Trophy, 1984.

Length:153 pages; no illustrations.

Print size: Typical "children's fiction paperback" font - larger than small print but not childish.

Other readability issues: This story is told in the first person, with a lot of dialogue (which means an encouraging amount of "white space" on many pages, but requires the student to "listen" as s/he reads to change the voice).

Summary: Dan and Arthur are at home with Dan's baby brother when a series of tornadoes strikes. Fast-paced, every time you think "okay, they're out of danger," ... the next danger jumps out. Based on the 1980 disaster in Nebraska, this is a good story for boys who generally don't *like* fiction, and lends itself well to learning about dealing with weather-related crises.

Typical words: Here are some typical words from the stories; it would be wise to see how many of these your students can read before expecting them to read independently.

explosion

ordinary

sassy

demonstrated

detoured

inseparable

concerned

curtains

commercial

puckered

scissors

flickering

diaper

scene

hulk

dignity

hustle

psychedelic

Presbyterians

armory

headquarters

broadcast

apologized

propped

 

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.