I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 (I Survived #25) - by Lauren Tarshis

About the Book

"The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was the worst environmental disaster in American history, a time when "black blizzards" of dust, some hundreds of miles wide, swept across the southern plains. Hundreds of people were killed. Thousands of farms were buried. Millions of refugees fled starvation and sickness in the plains only to face hatred and prejudice in California. ... he thrilling story of an eleven-year-old boy who risks his life to save his family and friends during the worst dust storm of all, an event that would become known as "Black Sunday." Includes a section of nonfiction back matter with more facts and photos about the real-life event."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The biggest dust storm in U.S. history...

When a drought turns the farmland of the Texas Panhandle into a dry wasteland, eleven-year-old Ray's world begins to crumble. Fierce dust storms blacken the sky and destroy everything in their path.

Ray and his best friend, Dolly, do their chores and go to school. But there's nothing they can do to save their struggling town or the thousands of people who are sick from the filthy air.

Then Ray learns a family secret. He sets out to help his parents . . . and ends up caught in the most vicious dust storm of them all. Will Ray make it through? Will he ever see his parents again?

Includes a section of nonfiction back matter with more facts and photos about the real-life event.

Review Quotes

"In this action-packed adventure based on real events, Tarshis vividly portrays the experience of a dust storm--the screaming wind and blinding, choking, swirling dirt that scours and tears your skin." -- Booklist

Praise for I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005:

"Expressive illustrations capture the drama of the storm and its aftermath, but the book's real power comes from its exploration of what it means to be a hero." -- Booklist

Praise for I Survived the American Revolution, 1776:

"Tarshis successfully blends historical fact with an involving narrative." -- School Library Journal

Praise for I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79:

"Tarshis serves up another gripping adventure... with the light-speed pacing and death-defying maneuvering fans have come to expect." -- Booklist

Praise for I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863:

"Informative and breathlessly paced." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001:

"[Tarshis] crafts a dramatic, emotionally intense tale that takes account of 9/11's physical and emotional costs -- short- and longterm -- while ending on an upward beat." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916:

"A gripping story that will hold the interest of reluctant readers." -- School Library Journal

Praise for I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912:

"The fast pace and intrinsically fascinating disaster story will keep readers turning the pages." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters and times of turmoil. Lauren has brought her signature warmth and exhaustive research to topics such as the battle of D-Day, the American Revolution, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and other world events. She lives in Connecticut with her family, and can be found online at laurentarshis.com.