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Children's Blizzard
Children's Blizzard | David Laskin
Thousands of impoverished Northern European immigrants were promised that the prairie offered -land, freedom, and hope.- The disastrous blizzard of 1888 revealed that their free homestead was not a paradise but a hard, unforgiving place governed by natural forces they neither understood nor controlled, and America's heartland would never be the same.This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
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review
Jenken1998
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Pickpick

The story of a prairie snowstorm that killed hundreds of newly arrived settlers on the American frontier in 1888. NF that reads like a novel. Nice mix of personal accounts, politics, and science. Weather nerds like myself should enjoy it . Obviously, so much progress has been made in meteorological science in the last 120 years, and for this, i am grateful. What a tragedy. 4 ❄️.

53 likes3 stack adds
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Andrea313
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Pickpick

Finally knocked it off my #TBR! Laskin's account is hugely compelling for the most part - it slowed for me in the sections devoted to some pretty detailed meteorology. But on the whole, it's a harrowing account of a tragic, unforseen event in the midst of what was already a fairly grueling and bleak existence for so many. I appreciated the nods to Laura Ingalls Wilder without letting her stories, so well-known to me, overtake any of the narrative.

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Andrea313
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I've been really wanting to read these as companion pieces, and January seemed like the time to do it! Though the two books are not about the same events (Laura's "Hard Winter" was 1881, while the Children's Blizzard came seven years later), they seemed like great books to read in tandem. Also curious to know if there are any other "Little House" kids who LOVE The Long Winter as an adult? No? Just me...? #CurrentlyReading

Amiable The tagged book is really good—an excellent example of riveting narrative nonfiction. 1y
Ruthiella I‘ve not read it (yet) as an adult. I‘ve only reread Little House in the Big Woods. I remember it, however. I grew up in Southern California. The concept or snow, much less a blizzard was completely unknown to me. 1y
batsy Yes! I think I appreciated it much more as an adult (while living in a country with no snow). 1y
28 likes3 comments
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LeslieO
Children's Blizzard | David Laskin
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@BookwormAHN Ashley! I can barely fit it all in one picture! Thank you so much. I love it all. The socks are perfect. Coffee, tea, chocolate, all my favorite things! Gingerbread cookie KitKats I‘ve never heard of and sound amazing. The books are great picks! I always love a journal. Happy New Year to you! 🥳🎉📚#WinterWonderlandSwap

LeslieO Ooops forgot to tag our wonderful hosts! @Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie @Avanders Thank you all! 1y
Chrissyreadit 💙🤍❄️❄️🤍💙 1y
TheBookHippie Oh how fun!!!! 💙❄️💙 1y
BookwormAHN Happy New Year 🎉 1y
Avanders 😍😍 and Happy New Year! 🎇❄️💙 1y
37 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Rachel.Rencher
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I picked up this book with no idea what it was about. Turns out it's a historical account of an incredibly deadly blizzard that happened where I currently live. 😅 Honestly appropriate given the insane weather we've had.

I hope every one is staying toasty & reading lots of good books!!

TEArificbooks This is a good book 1y
TheBookHippie This book was so good. 1y
Larkken I did this to myself last year with The Long Winter ! 🤪 1y
ChaoticMissAdventures A booktoker I follow was just talking about this book. Must be a sign for me to read it! 1y
70 likes4 stack adds4 comments
review
suvata
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Pickpick

• TBR since April 14, 2020

#StoryGraph: nonfiction historical history informative sad slow-paced
336 pages | first published 2004

The Schoolhouse Blizzard, also known as the Schoolchildren's Blizzard, School Children's Blizzard, or Children's Blizzard, hit the U.S. plains states on January 12, 1888. The blizzard came unexpectedly on a relatively warm day, and many people were caught unaware, including children in one-room schoolhouses.

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Andrea313
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Copper Harbor, MI is the teeniest town- with an incredibly lovely and well-stacked bookstore! I love a surprise indie bookstore discovery, and this one fit the bill. Definitely take the time to visit Grandpa's Barn if you're out on the Keweenaw. #BookHaul #MittenLitten #PureMichigan

Tamra I love discovering those gems too! 2y
Tamra The Children‘s Blizzard is so good - harrowing. I was just recently listening to a meteorologist talk about that storm and apparently that winter season is the one Wilder based her book upon. 2y
jlhammar I enjoyed the Laskin, Williams & Hanff. Great haul! We stopped at Grandpa‘s Barn when we did the Lake Superior Circle Tour several years ago. Such a fun trip! 2y
LeahBergen Isn‘t it wonderful to find these little bookstores? ❤️ 2y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Butterfinger
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Pickpick

The nonfiction accounts of the 1888 weather event that killed many children so horribly. Science, the evolution of weather as science, was explained. The history of emigration from the Scandinavian nations was given. Even Greeley, the leader of the failed North Pole expedition, was researched. Heartbreaking stories. I really do want to read the fiction too. #BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks #Nonfiction2022 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa #Booked2022

Cinfhen This has been on my TBR for so long!!! Must finally pick it up. Thanks for the reminder💗 2y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 2y
56 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AvidReader25
Children's Blizzard | David Laskin
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Pickpick

I picked up for my nonfiction Nebraska read & it is one harrowing tale! A blizzard hits the US hard in Jan. 1888 and hundreds of people freeze to death when trapped in the storm. The writing is very similar to Erik Larson‘s Isaac‘s Storm and those who love the detailed weather forecasts will not be disappointed. The loss of life is heartbreaking, as is each family‘s story. Highly recommended for those who love historic nonfiction.

34 likes2 stack adds
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K.Wielechowski
Children's Blizzard | David Laskin
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Pickpick

I‘ve lived in Nebraska my entire life so I‘ve always known about the 1888 blizzard (there‘s even a mural about it in the capitol) but hearing the whole story is so much more heartbreaking and rage-inducing.
Thousands of people, mostly children, died in a freak blizzard across the northern plains in Jan 1888. The budding national weather service didn‘t seem to care to warn people until the cold threatened cash crops in the south.

AvidReader25 I‘m from Indiana, so I‘d never heard of the blizzard until I read the book! 2y
K.Wielechowski @AvidReader25 yeah it‘s one of those things not many people outside of Nebraska and South Dakota know about 2y
7 likes2 comments
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Kboltz
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Pickpick

Historical telling of the great blizzard of 1888. History of weather forecasts, the people who came to America who wanted to settle in the Great Plains, the scientific facts of freezing and the body. First part is family backgrounds but once they settle, you learn about the hardships to survive. Didn‘t know that happened!

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Sharpeipup
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More books should have maps.

29 likes2 stack adds
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Aswenson
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Pickpick

Sad story of one of the worst blizzards to hit ND/the Midwest in history. Jan. 12th, 1888: On a day that started out warm & sunny after days of gray & brutal cold, children went to one room school houses w/o hats and mittens, pioneers ventured further outside with such nice weather. The storm barreled in during early afternoon without warning and overtook everything. Hundreds were stranded & trapped. Of those who died, many were children.

Hooked_on_books I remember reading this! Riveting book, horrible situation. 4y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sarahandhella
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The first big storm of this winter. Hunkered down with homemade chicken gnocchi soup and listening to a book set in my area 131 years ago. Thankful for all my comforts and modern day meteorologists.

Sarahandhella I had an relative die during this blizzard. Calvin Hurd in 1888. He was only 17. My grandfather was also named Calvin Hurd. 4y
tpixie @Sarahandhella ♥️♥️♥️ 3y
5 likes2 comments
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CoffeeCatsBooks
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This non-fiction book is a compelling read. Highly recommend.

Another disaster title that I think is fantastic is “The Worst Hard Time.”

#keeplitsyalive #disasters

Tamra It‘s a great, harrowing read! You don‘t mess with a blizzard. 4y
ljuliel Very good ! I‘ve been curious about this one. What state was this in ? All I know is somewhere West of here. 4y
Tamra @ljuliel the blizzard impacted NE, MN & Dakota Territories. 4y
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CoffeeCatsBooks @Tamara Harrowing is a great description. Just imaging going out into your backyard and not being able to make it back to your house! 4y
ljuliel Thanks @Tamra I may just have to give this a go, as I like reading books set out in that area. I keep wanting to move to SD , but I doubt I‘ll do it if I‘m married unless we have a long distance one. The hubster said they get too much snow out there. 4y
CoffeeCatsBooks @ljuliel It can be heartbreaking, but it such a good book. It also goes into the stories of the immigrants who came to the American heartland which was very different from what they expected. 4y
Tamra @ljuliel it‘s really a good book, check it out! It makes you appreciate modern forecasting. Western SD gets less precip, but the whole state is always, always windy. And can get brutally cold. My dad lives in Sturgis. 4y
ljuliel Thanks ,guys ! It sounds like it‘s a good one. I‘m surprised about the wind, @Tamra . I didn‘t know that. I‘ve never been there so I just picture it in my head. 4y
Amiable Excellent book! 4y
54 likes1 stack add9 comments
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heidisreads
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1. I‘m in between books at the moment and very open to suggestions!
2. Doesn‘t matter in the least - and I always have an #audiobook going, too.
3. everything by Jane Austen
#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain

rachelsbrittain Thanks for joining in 📚 5y
16 likes1 comment
review
Librarybelle
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Pickpick

I almost gave this a so-so. Almost. The first 100 pages were very slow building. But, the tragic events that unfold on January 12, 1888 read almost like fiction...but it‘s not. So much went wrong during this blizzard, and so many children were trapped in it. I wanted to cry in parts. Definitely worth reading!

Nearly 6 hours into #25infive

Andrew65 Good effort so far. 😊 5y
tpixie I‘m finishing up another book on this and wondering if I should read this as a companion piece 3y
Librarybelle @tpixie I would recommend it! I love pairing fiction and nonfiction works. It‘s a good way to really ground what is discussed in the fictional work. 😁 3y
tpixie @Librarybelle thanks! 😊 3y
97 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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Librarybelle
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I only managed 16 minutes of reading yesterday, but have high hopes for a lot of reading this weekend. Snuggled up with #Zeke to continue this book. #catsoflitsy #25infive

tpixie Hi! Zeke!! Have fun reading this weekend! 5y
TEArificbooks Great book. I learned alot 5y
Andrew65 Good luck. 5y
84 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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Gro Rollag is a woman after my own heart - and I‘m sure we can all relate!

DivineDiana Definitely! 😀 5y
MelissaSue81 Omg! I was literally just sitting here thinking of the garbage cans that need to be emptied but I‘d so much rather pick up my book. 5y
66 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
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This is due at the library in a few days...better start it tonight!

Blaire I want to read this one. My son read “ I survived the children‘s blizzard,” and I had never heard about it before that. 5y
87 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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TEArificbooks
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Day 5 S'mores Chai Pu'erh tea. It smells just like a s'more. I suggest adding some extra marshmellows or eggnog to make a latte. Plus my mom brought me a lemon bundt cake. I am almost done with this book, I can only seem to read about a chapter a day because of the holiday bustle.

29 likes1 stack add
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TEArificbooks
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Day 6 Forever Nutty tea. I added a fair amount of sugar and it was delicious and a wonderful reddish color. It is my son's new favorite tea, which is bad timing because I just got him his old favorite for a stocking stuffer. I will be reordering this tea.

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Blueberry
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Cinfhen Clever🤓and a bunch of books I‘d like to read...especially the tagged book 📚 5y
TrishB Great graphic 👍🏻 5y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TEArificbooks
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Day 5 Tea Advent Calendar. Cream of Earl Grey. I added lots of sugar. It is a nice smooth strong cuppa to start my day with. With the busy holiday season, I try to take half an hour day for self care. And for me that means hot tea and reading.

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TEArificbooks
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Day 4 Tea Advent Calendar. Apple cider tea. It smells absolutely devine, I want to keep this brewing all day for the aroma alone. Plus it tastes great. Glad the calendar comes with an extra teaspoon or two so I can make another cuppa. The book is fascinating, I am learning so much about weather and history, and the stories from survivors keep the pages turning.

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TEArificbooks
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Day 2 tea advent calendar. Organic cinnamon roobis chai. I discovered this tea in last year's calendar and it is now one of my all time favorite teas. I add rock sugar and a lemon honey spoon. It is a nice chestnut color. My new #nonfiction2018 read certainly proves #winterkills #winterwonderland @TrishB @Cinfhen

Cinfhen Yum on the tea and Hell Yeah on the book 🙌🏻 I‘ve been wanting to read the Laskin since I read this memoir 5y
TrishB Love that pic 💕 5y
26 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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The Blizzard Of 1888 brought devastation and loss. Laskin recounts the deaths of 100 children, caught in the blizzard. I have this checked out from the library and plan to read it soonish. #WinterKills #WinterWonderland

VioletBramble This is one of the best non-fiction books that I've ever read. I learned so many ways that snow and cold weather can kill you. 5y
TrishB Sounds like a tough read! 5y
Tamra This was so well written - like living through it. 5y
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Amiable Oh, this book was so good. FYI if you didn't know--Laskin's book about tracing his family's heritage is wonderful, too. 5y
Librarybelle @VioletBramble @Tamra @Amiable Thanks so much! I think it will be a tough read, @TrishB . @Amiable , I‘ll have to look into that book too! 5y
Cinfhen I really want to read this book ever since @Reviewsbylola reviewed it!!! And I read and LOVED the book that @Amiable mentioned!!! It‘s fascinating 5y
Reviewsbylola Such a good pic for this prompt! 5y
88 likes7 stack adds7 comments
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Zelma
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The books I got from the bookstore yesterday. Everyone was expecting a giant stack but I tend to just buy what I know I might not find at the library easily. I didn‘t love the first Joan Anderson book I read but am willing to give her another whirl.

Amiable Loved "The Children's Blizzard." Heartbreaking, but so well written. 6y
51 likes1 comment
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Reviewsbylola
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Pickpick

I live in Ohio, so I know snow. But this—damn. 1888. Great Plains. January 12 starts of mildly, so much so that kids are thrilled to be walking to school without coats. The weather all of a sudden takes a drastic turn and the blizzard from hell erupts. Wind and snow so strong you can‘t see a thing. Dubbed the Children‘s Blizzard because so many kids perished on their way home from school, it wreaked havoc on the immigrant population. Tragic.

ElishaLovesBooks Wow! I didn‘t know anything about this tragedy! 6y
Cinfhen Fascinating and I vaguely remember hearing about this weather related tragedy 😢 6y
emilyhaldi Yikes 😬 6y
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minkyb Awful. 6y
Meredith3 So nuts!!! 6y
Reggie Yikes!!! 6y
Reggie Lol, I guess you‘re right. Lololl 3y
117 likes6 stack adds7 comments
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StephMC82
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"According to family lore, she was not the most conscientious housekeeper because she preferred reading to housework."

Girl, I can relate!!!

#bookquote #lovetoread #booksandcoffee

7 likes1 stack add
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StephMC82
Children's Blizzard | David Laskin
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Found this to be apropos for the conditions outside. Staying safe at home, making the best use of my extra time... ☕ #teatime #reading

14 likes1 stack add
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jbhops
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This book would be fantastic if I was more interested in weather patterns. I may or may not have skipped some pages that didn't have anything to do with the first hand experiences of the blizzard. 🙈

35 likes1 stack add
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Lcsmcat
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This is our backyard now, and it‘s still coming down. My office didn‘t close 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I chose to work from home. So I don‘t really have a snow day, but I get to work in a sweatshirt so that‘s something. 😀

emilyhaldi And sweatpants I hope!! 😄 (edited) 6y
Lcsmcat @emilyhaldi And the best part, slippers! 6y
56 likes2 comments
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Lcsmcat
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Mehso-so

The blizzard of January 12, 1888 is almost a backdrop to the story of the beginnings of the U.S. weather service (part of the Signal Corps at this point) than a story of the blizzard. While it was compelling at times, some chapters got bogged down in jargon-filled weather forecasting descriptions. Some judicious editing might have helped keep it moving.

Susanita That‘s too bad, because it sounds like a fascinating story in the right hands. 6y
Mdargusch Wow. What a tragic story. 6y
Lcsmcat @Susanita You could always skim those chapters. I was tempted. 😆 6y
46 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Lcsmcat
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😂

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Lcsmcat
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Picking a favorite is difficult, but this is my currently most-used mug. And yes, my husband has the Mr. cardinal. #favoritemugwithbooks #decinbooks17 @bookisglee

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Lcsmcat
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Started this today while waiting for youngest child to arrive. So far, it‘s making me cold. 😉

Tamra This is a good one. Blizzards are scary. 6y
52 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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VioletBramble
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Day 25 #riotgrams #truestories. True stories of the storm that devastated the Great Plains on January 12,1888. It remains one of the worst storms to ever hit the region, killing hundreds of people, mostly children, and thousands of livestock. Within decades 70% of the pioneers would leave the plains, defeated by the harsh climate and the lasting emotional impact of the storm. One of the best non fiction books I've read.

10 likes2 stack adds
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tricours
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Oh these daily deals! I don't even know how many unread books I have on my Kindle by now.

Chrissyreadit Me too. My eyes are so much bigger than my time to read. 7y
TrishB Me every day with those deals! 7y
16 likes2 comments
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Cconnolly
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Picked this up at my local library tonight. Ice storm expected here this weekend, thought it was appropriate.......then I saw the date of this event when I got home!

Aswenson Such a sad story. 😥 Stay warm! 7y
sprainedbrain Wow, what a coincidence! 7y
8 likes2 comments
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CocoReads
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I don't care what my app says, it's snowing and blowing and oh so cold. Getting ready to leave work and make yet another stop at the store. I think tonight calls for pizza bread!

DeborahSmall I'd have to call in take away with weather like that! 7y
christineandbooks Brrrr! Stay warm and get lots of reading done! 7y
LauraBeth BRRRR is right! That's cold! 7y
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CocoReads @DeborahSmall luckily the grocery is around the corner from work. I'm home and in until tomorrow. Where I not only get to do it all again, but also drive 3 hours south to pick up my college kid and friend and drive another 3 hours north! 7y
CocoReads @christineandbooks I plan on reading and wrapping! I've been storing gifts in my daughters room but as I bring her home tomorrow night, I need to get them wrapped and outta there! 7y
saresmoore I don't even understand what that would be like! (I get cold in Costco...) 7y
CocoReads @saresmoore you must not live in the north. But this is cold--even for me. 7y
saresmoore @CocoReads I'm a Florida girl! I've only seen snow once in my life. 😳 Stay warm! 7y
DeborahSmall @saresmoore you are so lucky! I'd love the heat all year round 💖 7y
33 likes9 comments
review
JennyWren129
Pickpick

This book really worked to tell the whole story, beginning with the impacted settlers before they immigrated to tha Dakota Territory, Nebraska, and Minnesota, to explain how the weather systems produced the devastating blizzard, and the level of forecasting and information distribution available at the time, and wrapping up with the longer term impacts and realizations. It was very comprehensive and engaging.

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ReadingEnvy
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"A peculiar 'hush' prevailed over everything. In the next minute the sky was completely overcast by a heavy black cloud... with such violence...."

LeahBergen I have this one on my shelf! 7y
Zelma Ooh, this sounds fantastic. My kind of book! 7y
ReadingEnvy @LeahBergen @Zelma it's good (also sad) 7y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Amputateddad

Just wondering if anyone has read this yet? It's on my list.

RuSirius3 I read this book several years ago. It is heartbreaking, but an excellent read. Very detailed re-telling of true events. 8y
2 likes1 comment
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TheApesOfWrath
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Oh man. Picked this non-fiction up on the recommendation of my YA librarian, who's using it as one of the suggested books for a high school program. "More than a hundred children lay dead" on the prairie really gets your attention. 1888 was a bad year.

24 likes7 stack adds