Wow! I read this book yesterday afternoon, and wow. I’m still trying to imagine a storm as fierce as this storm of 1978. Into the Blizzard drove me to youtube to learn more.
Can you imagine snow deep enough to cover houses? Waves high enough to wash houses away? This was just a MASSIVE storm. Into the Blizzard is the storm of men who aimed to help, heroes doing what they do, at threat to their own lives. This is indeed their story.
What I am Reviewing
Into the Blizzard.
Michael J. Tougias.
Adaptation of “Ten Hours Until Dawn: the true story of Heroism and Tragedy about the Can Do.
Christy Ottaviano Books
True Rescue Series
9-14 years, trade paperback, 288 pages
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
Heroism, Tragedy, Hurricane, Storm, Natural Disaster, True, Rescue, Ocean, USA history,
In the midst of the Blizzard of 1978, the tanker Global Hope floundered on the shoals in Salem Sound off the Massachusetts coast. When the Coast Guard heard the Mayday calls, they immediately dispatched a patrol rescue boat. But within an hour, the Coast Guard rescue boat was in as much trouble as the tanker – both paralyzed in unrelenting seas. Enter Captain Frank Quirk who was compelled to act. Gathering his crew of four, Quirk plunged his forty-nine-foot steel boat, the Can Do, into the blizzard.
Perfect for fans of the I Survived series ready for a longer form account, this middle-grade adaptation of an adult nonfiction book chronicles the harrowing journey between Captain Quirk and the Coast Guard as they struggled in the holds of a radical storm. It’s an epic tale of heroism and bravery at sea.
The Details of Into the Blizzard
Three parts, 24 pages, 288 pages. 16 pages in the middle of the book with historical photos. I received an advanced reader copy so I don’t know if these pictures will be in colour or in the black/white that I received.
Each part was highlighted with a photo of waves. Either a one or two page photo spread. I would be hopeful these would be in full colour as they are marvellous pictures don’t you think? To me they show the beauty and dangers that a high sea would possess.
I found the text very easy to read, with enough technical information to teach me something, and yet simple enough to follow along well. The men, the heroes of the story were well-defined, interesting men. We were brought into the mind-set of just who these men were. Who they were, was an inspiration. Men determined to do what needed to be done.
At the beginning of the book we are shown the vessels involved in this event.
Thoughts/Recommendations
You know that Natural Disasters unit I reviewed a bit back? This book would be a perfect complement to unit study. It would also be a great addition to a study on oceans, heroes, or hurricanes. It’s also a great stand-alone book, but for those looking for a living book to bring the heroes and harshness of life into reality…this book will do that job well. I found it a good solid read. The end result for some of the men wasn’t good, but understanding the harshness of the oceans and weather, and still they went out. That mind-set is worth exploring and trying to understand.
This book reminded me of just how small we are compared to the forces of the earth, and how brave people stand up regardless.
Sounds like a really interesting read. I’m looking into with the library.
It was quite interesting.
Didn’t find this one but another by him titled “Finest Hours.” Sounds like it could actually be the same story just retitled for the US. I have a hold request placed for it, though, so I’ll get it in a week or so, next time we go to the library.
You’ll have to let me know if it is indeed the same book.