HC ISBN-13: 978-0805081701
PB ISBN-13: 978-1250050663
Available as an Audiobook Download

"Disasters come with warnings. Beware of floodplains, fault lines, and Hurricane Alley. Watch out for icebergs, sneezes, and toxic molds. Sometimes it is dangerous to open the refrigerator. Sometimes the best action is to head for the hills."

Natural and man-made disasters have the power to destroy thousands of lives very quickly. Both as they unfold and in the aftermath, these forces of nature astonish the rest of the world with their incredible devastation and magnitude. In this collection of ten well-known catastrophes such as the great Chicago fire, the sinking of the Titanic, and hurricane Katrina, Brenda Guiberson explores the causes and effects, as well as the local and global reverberations of these calamitous events. Highlighted with photographs and drawings, each compelling account tells the story of destruction and devastation, and most especially, the power of mankind to persevere in the face of adversity.

Awards & Accolades

"A perfect example of solid historical research coupled with engaging writing." --School Library Journal

"Useful for research and often fascinating, this is a very readable presentation of historical disasters." --Booklist

"Good for pleasure reading and as a starting point for research." --Kirkus Reviews

* Ames Library Best Books of 2010
* School Library Journal Noteworthy Nonfiction of 2010
* James Patterson's I-Hated-To-Read-Til-I-Read-This Books For Boys
* NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing
* Junior Library Guild Selection