(3) 4-6 I Survived: True Stories series. Two of the deadliest tornadoes in American history are portrayed through the eyes of real survivors of each event--the 1925 Tri-State Tornado, which passed through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana; and the 2011 Joplin Tornado in Missouri. Archival photographs, historical data, and scientific information are combined with real-life experience to enhance the immediacy and danger. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. After running away from his abusive uncle in Connecticut, eleven-year-old Nathaniel Fox finds himself alone in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War. A Patriot friend of Nathaniel's deceased father finds the boy and brings him to Fort Greene just as the Battle of Brooklyn is starting. Formulaic but well-paced historical fiction for early middle graders and reluctant readers; research notes included. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. Hugo is excited to travel back to America with his family on the German zeppelin Hindenburg. He survives not only the airship's fateful explosion and fire but also maybe-witnesses a spy mission involving Nazis. Short, plot-driven chapters with cliffhanger endings tell a thrilling, if contrived, historical survival story. Black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. Historical background and Hindenburg facts are appended. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. Jess and twins Sam and Eddie are retrieving a camera Jess left in a vacation cabin when Mount St. Helens erupts; Jess braves the heat, darkness, and overpowering ash to seek help for her trapped and injured friends. Though the exaggerated survival aspect feels contrived, the exciting historical story provides a glimpse of the event from an intimate-feeling perspective. Historical background appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 I Survived: True Stories series. Tarshis relates how children survived three real-life events, two in the 1800s, one in 1916, and one in 2009. The gripping accounts of a shark attack, volcanic eruption, deadly fire, and jellyfish encounter are accompanied by archival black-and-white photos and a variety of other informative graphics (maps, charts, checklists, etc.); supplemental historical information provides context. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 I Survived series. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. This fast-paced story about a courageous kid caught in a natural disaster is based on thorough research on a real event, providing middle-grade readers with a fictional but accurate insider's-view of what really happened. Especially effective is Tarshis's afterword explaining that Joplin is where she grew up. Black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. A narrative timeline and information about surviving tornadoes are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 I Survived: True Stories series. Fans of the I Survived series will be naturally drawn to these real-life stories. Gripping accounts of natural and man-made disasters are illustrated with photographs and newspaper clippings, and each story is supplemented with historical and contextual information. Abundant source notes direct readers to further reading and research, even for the events already well known to most children.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. When a football concussion benches Lucas, the son of a New York City firefighter, he skips school, goes downtown to the firehouse to be with his uncle, and is caught in the devastation following the attack on the Twin Towers. The narrative is rushed, but the fast pace and short, accessible chapters will draw reluctant readers. Black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 I Survived series. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. The book begins on a terrible Monday in August, 2005, with eleven-year-old Barry Tucker clinging to a tree as Hurricane Katrina ravages New Orleans. The text then backs up to tell of Barry's family's attempt to escape the city and how everyone weathered the storm. Accessible writing and fast pacing will appeal to reluctant readers. Shadowy black-and-white illustrations enhance the story.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. George, his sister, and their wealthy aunt sail from England on the ill-fated Titanic. When tragedy strikes, George is separated from family members but, miraculously, all survive the disaster. Though the events are contrived, reluctant readers may be drawn to this fast-paced book with short, easy-to-read chapters. Shadowy black-and-white illustrations add to the text.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 This sequel to Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree finds the hyper-rational seventh grader once again helping out nice classmate Colleen, here uncovering the identity of a secret admirer. The unexpected results help Emma-Jean gain insight into herself and her "species." Though it's a bit skimpy on characterization, this continuation of Emma-Jean's story will be welcomed by her fans.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) 4-6 Hyper-rational seventh-grader Emma-Jean doesn't understand her classmates' illogical behavior. After helping nice Colleen, Emma-Jean decides to continue her interpersonal interventions. Inevitably, the more she meddles in others' lives, the messier hers becomes. Emma-Jean's voice is consistently formal and removed even as she takes her first steps toward integrating heart and head. This gently probing book tackles tween-relevant issues with sensitivity and skill.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007