Smith, Jennifer E. 2012. THE STORM MAKERS. New York, NY:
Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316179584 [Suggested Grade Levels 4 - 6]
REVIEW
Stories about characters that discover a new part of
themselves resonates with middle grade readers.
Smith crafts an adventurous fantasy that captures such pre-adolescent
feelings of change and instability.
Wisconsin is suffering from the largest drought in 100 years. The twins Simon and Ruby are struggling to find their place on a farm after moving from Chicago. To add to their troubles, a few strange things begin to happen, and Simon gets extremely ill and is taken to the hospital. There a strange visitor arrives and informs Simon that he is a storm maker.
Storm makers are individuals who are able to influence the
weather. Their secret organization is in
the midst of a rift between those who want to use their abilities to calm and
stabilize, and those who want to wield their power to punish people for being
careless with the environment. Simon is
caught in the middle between the conflicting interests.
Simon and Ruby are 12 years old, a time of great change and
instability, much like the weather. When
it becomes apparent the Simon has this special ability much of the conflict
mirrors the frustrations felt by many 12 year olds. Ruby is a stabling force by his side.
CONNECTIONS
A discussion about global warming fits the theme and conflict
of this story well. Simon is able to
create or effect weather, other kids should have the chance to create their own
weather as well. Weather experiments
would be a strong extension for students who have read this book.
RELATED
BOOKS
Other books about coming of age magicLaw, Ingrid. SAVVY. ISBN 9780142414330
Wrede, Patricia C. THIRTEENTH CHILD. ISBN 9780545033459
By
Emily Fultz
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