Tornado

Cam must battle extreme weather conditions to find his brother, as his already fragile family is being torn apart by secrets. When a distant storm knocks out the power at his high school, Cam and his friends head out for burgers. On their way back to pick up Cam's little brother, Peter, at the bus stop, they are caught up in the middle of a deadly tornado. Cam manages to survive and makes his way home only to discover that his house has been destroyed and his parents are locked in an argument that ends in a startling revelation. And Peter is still missing.

What is tornado alley and where in the world is it? Why are tornados called "twisters"? This dynamic title answers these questions and more as readers discover what tornadoes look like, how, when, and where they most often form, how scientists predict and track them, and the safety steps they can take before, during, and after a tornado touches down

From Newbery Medal-winning author Betsy Byars comes a sweet, entertaining story that will touch the heart of dog lovers at any age. A tornado appears in the distance, and the family quickly gathers into the storm cellar. The storm rages outside, but Pete, the farmhand, knows this is the perfect time to tell his stories about a dog named Tornado. Blown into their lives by a twister when Pete was a boy, Tornado was no ordinary dog—he played card tricks, saved a turtle’s life, and had a rivalry with the family cat. Forgetting their fear, the family hangs on every word of Pete’s stories—both happy and sad—of this remarkable dog.

A guide to tornado formation and lifecycle also covers such topics as forecasting, wind speeds, tornado myths, tornado safety, risks, and records, along with accounts of the deadliest tornadoes in the United States.

Become an eyewitness to nature’s most extreme weather phenomena. See inside the eye of a cyclone, witness hailstones the size of tennis balls, and learn how a gentle mountain stream can become a raging surge within a few minutes. Discover a bridge that collapsed due to severe gusts of wind, and learn about a tree species in southwest Africa that can survive several years of drought. Along the way, you’ll uncover historical items that reveal how ancient civilizations predicted the weather as well as the weather-forecasting techniques that have developed over the centuries and how human activity can cause weather patterns to change. Loved and trusted for over 30 years, Eyewitness has a new look and even more content: • A bite-sized formula of text with images that kids love! • Fully revised and fact-checked by subject specialists • Packed with facts, infographics, statistics, and timelines • Updated with brand new eyewitness accounts from experts in the field Eyewitness Hurricane & Tornado uses a groundbreaking visual layout that makes learning fun for kids aged 9-12. With striking images, models, and illustrations, this visual guide offers a unique view of catastrophic weather conditions. From polar regions to the tropics, this storm book shows the effects of nature’s most extreme weather. Eyewitness content approved by -ologists! DK’s Eyewitness kids books are updated and fact-checked by subject specialists, with brand new first-hand eyewitness accounts throughout from experts in the field. A best-selling series known and trusted for generations, with a fresh new look and up-to-date content. What will you Eyewitness next? Join the journey to combat climate change with Eyewitness Climate Change or leave no stone left unturned with Eyewitness Rock & Mineral. Do you think you’ve found your topic of interest? DK has even more extreme weather books for kids and adults alike find them all by searching for “DK weather books”.

What in the world is a tornado? In this age of extreme weather, this newly updated edition of Gail Gibbons' informative introduction to tornadoes, with safety tips included, answers that question. Tornadoes form when hot, humid air rises from the ground and meets with the cooler, denser air that is falling back to Earth. The two airstreams begin to swirl, pulling in more and more air to form a funnel-shaped cloud. The winds can swirl faster than 261 miles per hour! Newly revised and vetted by weather experts, Tornadoes is an accessible introduction to this fascinating phenomenon. Using her praised combination of clear text and detailed illustrations, Gail Gibbons shares more than fifty tornado facts. . . . including how tornadoes form, the scale used for classifying them, and the safest places to go in case one should happen near you. Includes updated information on the affects climate change on extreme weather and the increase of tornado activity in the American South. Featuring simple, kid-friendly text, colorful paintings, and well-labeled diagrams, Gail Gibbons' nonfiction titles have been called "staples of any collection" (Kirkus Reviews) and offer clear, accessible introductions to complex topics for young readers beginning to explore the world.

For scientists, amateur weather enthusiasts, or anyone intrigued or terrified by a darkening sky, this book provides not only a history of tornado research, but a vivid look into the origin of the storms. 67 color illustrations.

The Tornado gives account of one of the world’s most terrifying natural disasters. Twisters have left their wake of freakish consequences throughout the United States and the world, and The Tornado vividly describes some of the most bizarre from around the country—houseboats sailing through the air; cars flown to a landing half a cornfield away; an entire house lifted and demolished, leaving only a divan holding the uninjured family. The most detailed description of a tornado and the violence it can bring comes from the author’s focus on the tragedy of one American town in 1953. John Edward Weems was an eyewitness reporter of a funnel that hit Waco, Texas, on May 11 of that year. In gripping narrative, he portrays the events of that day: a man clinging to a guard rail while a mailbox, plate glass, bricks, and assorted debris whizzed past his head; automobiles rolling end on end down the street; buildings falling like blocks knocked down by an angry child; a movie theater crumbling on the terrified patrons. When the storm had passed, 114 people were dead and hundreds injured; property damage ran in the tens of millions of dollars. Research in news reports, government weather documents, and books flesh out this account, which Pulitzer-prize winner Annie Dillard called “wonderfully exciting. It is full of people, and the thousands of details that make up their lives—and deaths. [It is] a story of enormous power.” John Banta, writing in the Waco Tribune-Herald, described it as “a gripping story of human drama and tragedy.” Kirkus Reviews said, “. . . the events still chill face to face with a power that defies reason.” Royalties from the sale of The Tornado will benefit the book fund of the Waco-McLennan County Public Library.