Books About Weather and Natural Disasters: A Redeemed Reader Booklist

Books about weather and natural disasters, and their related sub-topics like hurricanes, tornadoes, and giant floods, are hot picks for the elementary school crowd. Just ask any school librarian! This list just barely scratches the surface; we stuck with what we’ve reviewed, so all titles are linked to Redeemed Reader book reviews.

Books About Weather and Natural Disasters: A Redeemed Reader Booklist

PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS (AND RELATED TOPICS)

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa. Will give kids who have never experienced a flood a good idea of the devastation suffered by an ordinary family whose home sweet home—full of memories, pictures, and personal touches—is destroyed by water. (Images may be scary for young children.)

The Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker. A lovely wordless picture book about animals and a giant robot, The Last Zookeeper is reminiscent of the biblical narrative of Noah.

Look at the Weather by Britta Tetchentrup. This picture book for all ages encourages readers to “look at the weather” while learning the basic causes of it.

Naamah and the Ark at Night by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Naamah (the name traditionally ascribed to Noah’s wife) rises to her role as a nurturer and “keeper at home,” and fills out every aspect of her name.  

Wind Watchers by Micha Archer. Celebrates the beauty of the Wind using beautiful illustrations and a gentle text.

MIDDLE GRADES AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS ABOUT WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS

All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat. Gives the rescue of the Thai boys’ soccer team the drama and excitement it deserves. Ages 8 and up.

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown. The subdued palette, the variety of panel sizes and shapes, and the varied perspectives all combine to tell a vivid picture of what happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and the flooding in its aftermath. Graphic novel. Ages 8-12.

Finding Normal by Stephanie Faris. A 12-year-old girl must learn to make a new life when her home is made uninhabitable by a flood. Ages 10-14.

The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. The 1952 rescue of over twenty stranded seamen on a halved oil tanker ranks as one of the Coast Guard’s’ “finest hours.” Ages 12 and up.

The Flood of Noah by Bodie Hodge and Laura Welch. Was there a worldwide flood?  The various legends of such a phenomenon are explored and compared in this interactive history book.  All ages.

How God Used a Thunderstorm by Joel Beeke and Diana Kleyn.

I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters by Lauren Tarshis. Tarshis picks events that will be of high interest to elementary and middle school readers (um, a molasses flood?!) and focuses on the heroic children survivors. Ages 8-12.

Jack vs. the Tornado by Amanda Cleary Eastep. Authentic characters and classic themes shine in a God-honoring series about Jack, his sister, friendship, and a great clubhouse. This is book 1 of the fun Tree Street Kids Series. Ages 8-12.

Meltdown: Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disaster in Fukushima by Dierdre Langeland. Traces the events that might have led to nuclear Armageddon in Fukishima, Japan, 2011. Ages 10 and up.

The Origins Trilogy by Keith Robinson. Christian science fiction that simultaneously delivers good adventure AND reasoned arguments for Creation and the flood. (Volume 3 cover the Flood.) Ages 16-up.

Out of Range by Heidi Lang. Puts three warring sisters into a life-or-death situation that will destroy their bond—and perhaps their lives—or restore it. Ages 10-14.

Storm Horse by Nick Garlick. Storm Horse pits a boy and a horse against a greedy land developer in the modern-day Netherlands. Ages 8-12.

Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key. In a fast, thrilling read, a 13-year-old boy must display courage, ingenuity, and persistence in extremely dangerous circumstances. Recommended for ages 12-15.

Titan and the Wild Boars: the True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran. The true story of the daring rescue of the Thai Soccer team will bring its tension and drama home to young readers. Ages 8-12.

Treasure Tracks by S. A. Rodriguez. A solid adventure tale (complete with hurricane) with a strong family connection. Note considerations in review. Ages 10-14.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm. A mostly lighthearted tale told in a winning style by a winner of multiple Newbery honor awards. Includes the “deadly Labor Day hurricane of 1935.” Ages 10-12.

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed. This unusual memoir for middle grades celebrates winter in Maine through the progression of 12 stages of ice formation from the thin skim on a pond to glorious skating. Recommended for all ages.

Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick. A fast read that will take even reluctant readers into the heart of a fast-moving catastrophe. Ages 10-15.

Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina by Rodman Philbrick. Humor, quiet courage, and persistence leaven the despair while spot-on dialogue and likeable characters make the journey worthwhile. Ages 10-12.

Related Reading:

• Resource: Find more Booklists on our Booklists page!