Chasing Helicity; Force of Nature, Book 1
Ginger Zee, Author
Disney-Hyperion, Fiction, 2018
Pages: 208
Suitable for ages: 8-12
Themes: Weather, Storms, Tornadoes, Meteorology, Storm chasers, Survival, Midwest, Family Relationships
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Helicity is well aware that her name is unusual – kind of like Helicity herself. The word Helicity means to spin, and for as long as she can remember, Helicity has been fascinated by the weather. The weather is Helicity’s escape from her own reality – may that be school, her father’s strict discipline, or her brother’s imminent departure for college where he’s all set to play football.
One fateful day, Helicity and her horse head out on a long ride to take a break from life at home. Even with her vast experience with weather, Helicity is unprepared for the elements she faces. The choices Helicity makes before, during, and after that storm will have a lasting effect on her family and her future.
Why I like this book:
Ginger Zee’s story, Chasing Helicity: Force of Nature is timely and must read for readers who love science and may share Helicity’s passion for studying weather patterns and early tornado prediction, Zee has packed this fast-paced novel with gripping tornado scenes, exciting science and a lot of weather information, in an understandable manner. She makes science fun and approachable.
The setting is ideal, a small-town Memorial Day party in Western Michigan, near Lake Michigan. What turns out to be a celebratory day, quickly changes. Bored with the party, Helicity mounts her horse, Raven, and goes for a ride into the hillside. She reaches her favorite high spot to view the town, when she begins to notice the changes in the billowing clouds, the darkening sky, the increasing winds and the rain. “Out of that base, a disk-like wall bulged even closer to the ground It…That disk started spinning.” She begins taking pictures on her cell phone until she hears the sirens below. Raven takes off leaving her alone. Watching the path of the storm, she realizes she safer on the hilltop than entering the forest — too much debris.
Her characters shine! They are convincing and vividly drawn. Helicity Dunlap is a 13-year-old headstrong weather junkie and loves anything that has to do with meteorology. She is a determined surivor and not a victim. Her brother Andy is a devoted and protective older brother, who risks his own life to find Helicity in the storm. Lana is a meteorologist, college professor and storm chaser who recognizes Helicity’s passion for weather and invites her on a storm chasing trip. Sam, is a college student and a bit over zealous in his passion for storm chasing.
Readers will learn to recognize weather patterns that may just keep them safe. It also makes STEM subject more exciting and relatable to readers. I hope we see more exciting weather/survival stories from Zee.
Personal Note: I first discovered this thrilling middle grade series by Ginger Zee, ABC Chief Meteorologist, in 2019. I reviewed the second and third books, Chasing Helicity: Into the Wind and Chasing Helicity: Through the Storm, with intention of going back and reviewing the first volume. And yes, I am a sideline weather junkie. Readers, make sure you check the series out. There are so many tense moments and the books are a quick read.
I am glad I waited to share this first volume, because there has been a significant increase in tornadoes and high waters throughout the country, I live in Ohio — “tornado alleyl” As of May 8, we have experienced 54 tornadoes in 2024. — we usually average 19 a year. Ohio is followed by Florida with 34 tornadoes, Illinois with 30, Kentucky with 24 and Indiana with 22, according to the National Weather Service.
Ginger Zee is Good Morning America’s Chief Meteorologist for ABC News, forecasting for and reporting on the nation’s weather. Since joining ABC News, Zee has been on the ground covering almost every major weather event and dozens of historic storms, including Hurricane Katrina. She watched as the eye of Superstorm Sandy passed over Atlantic City and then covered the devastated Jersey Shore; she was there for the Colorado floods and wildfires; and the destructive tornadoes in Moore and El Reno, Oklahoma.
Zee’s dedication to science began at an early age, watching powerful thunderstorms rush across Lake Michigan. Her passion for meteorology brought her to stormchase in college at Valparaiso University where she earned her bachelor of science in meteorology. Throughout her career and especially in this book, Zee is dedicated to getting young people interested in science, respecting the environment and atmosphere around them.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Reviewed from a purchased copy.
Interview with Ginger Zee at the Children Book Shop.