Readers can rely on the authenticity of the information in this book. Jim Murphy has a well-established reputation for meticulous research and carefully documents his sources. He drew information from first-hand accounts of the storm, and most of the quotes in the book come from �The Blizzard Men and Ladies of 1888,� a society of people who survived the blizzard. Other facts and photos were gleaned from historical societies and newspapers of the day. (Scholastic) The last chapter of the book is devoted to notes on his sources and related reading material, and he includes an alphabetical index for easy reference. The story is visually enriched with photographs, drawings, maps and newspaper clippings.
The story includes enough facts and background information to give readers an accurate and vivid picture of the event. Murphy tells about the weather forecast practices of the day, as well as the meterological data that resulted in the disaster. On the other hand, he includes the drama of tragedies and triumphs suffered by real people. He shows the impact the storm had on individuals as well as the effect it had on the city of New York and the economy of the country as a whole. After its assault on the east coast of America, the storm hurtled across the Atlantic Ocean and pummeled Europe, as well.
Murphy uses the disaster as a backdrop to discuss some of the social ills of the day, which resulted in a higher-than-necessary death toll. �Drawing on extensive newspaper articles, histories of the period, and archived letters and journals, Murphy writes of the storm through the experiences of a number of people. Each provides him entry into background discussions covering the political and social conditions of that time.� (Horn Book Guide, April 1, 2001) School Library Journal also notes how the book shows the impact the storm had on history: �The text is exciting without being melodramatic: as the storm arrives, strengthens, and stays, readers come to see the horrible extent to which people had to cope with the loss of food, heat, communications, and loved ones. Concluding by explaining why this event is important, the author places it in the context of other weather and its effect on history.� (December 1, 2000)
Murphy shows how this disaster, that happened so long ago, had repercussions that affect people�s lives today. The storm gave rise to changes that would improve the safety of New York�s citizens in the event of another natural disaster. Never again would the city be so completely paralyzed by a weather event. The city got busy and built a subway system, buried its utility wires underground, and established plans for meeting future emergencies. Freedman shows readers how the events of the past affect the way things are done today. But he warns that there is only so much man can do in the face of Nature�s fury: �No matter how many pieces of equipment we develop, no matter how many ways we try to predict weather patterns, nature always has the potential to surprise and overwhelm us.� (p. 124)
Sources
Books in Print [database online]. Available from http://www.booksinprint.com. Accessed 27 January 05.
Scholastic, Inc. 2005. Authors and books: Jim Murphy�s interview transcript. Available from http://www2.scholastic.com/teachers/authorsandbooks/authorstudies/
authorhome.jhtml?authorID=195&collateralID=8170&displayName=
Interview+Transcript. Accessed 27 January 05.
Awards for Blizzard!
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
ALA Notable Books for Children
Robert F. Siebert Informational Book Award (Nominee)
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children�s Book Award (Nominee)
Related Sites
About the Blizzard
Photos of the Blizzard
Jim Murphy Interview
More Jim Murphy
School of Library and Information Studies
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY