The Buffalo Storm

Applegate, Katherine. The Buffalo Storm. Illustrated by Jan Omerod. Clarion Books: 2007. ISBN: 9780618535972.

This fictional book is about Hallie who is a young girl that is afraid of storms just like her grandmother. Hallie is very close to her grandma, but her family has to leave her and move on the wagon train. Her grandmother makes Hallie a blanket to cuddle in when a storm comes since she won't have her grandma there to comfort her. Before she leaves though, her grandma tells her about the buffalo storms. When the buffalo run in packs, it sounds like a storm. When Hallie hears and expieriences her first buffalo storm, she's afraid at first, but then learns that they are moving just like her. They're not harmful and it's okay. She connects that to any other kind of storm and remembers it's okay and she doesn't have to be afraid.

I would recommend this book to kids around the age levels of first or second grade to fourth grade. I would recommend those age groups because they would enjoy the painted pictures and the short stroy of a young girl around their age who overcomes a fear. It reminded me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder series I read when I was little.

Reviewed by K.S., Van Buren 7th grade