"Through narrative nonfiction text, readers hear stories from survivors of the devastating hurricane that struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a fast-fact section, fact-filled captions and callouts, a timeline of the disaster, infographics, a glossary, a listing of source notes, sources for further research, and an introduction to the author" --

Grade level: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

When the tsunami strikes the Japanese seaside town of Omori-wan, the effects are utterly devastating. Three years later, much of what happened on that day is still a mystery. As Hotaka sets about convincing local performers to appear at the town's upcoming Memorial Concert, he finds himself increasingly haunted by memories of best friend, Takeshi, who perished without trace in the tsunami. Then his friend Sakura becomes involved in an anti-seawall...

"Is it true that hurricanes can be seen from space? Yes! Weather satellites track hurricanes. Pictures from these satellites tell where a hurricane is going and how big and fast it is. Inside you'll find out how hurricanes form, how fast they move, and an account of the most dangerous hurricanes in recent history. There is also a hands-on activity, a timeline, photos and diagrams"--

"Is it true that smoke from wildfires can travel thousands of miles? Yes! If a wildfire is large enough, wind can blow smoke from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States! Inside you'll find out how wildfires start, how they spread, and how researchers are studying wildfires in order to keep people safe. There's also a hands-on activity, a timeline, photos and diagrams." --