From the New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife comes a story of courage on the prairie, inspired by the devastating storm that struck the Great Plains in 1888, threatening the lives of hundreds of immigrant homesteaders, especially schoolchildren.“A nail-biter . . . poignant, powerful, perfect.” —Kate Quinn, author of The Alice NetworkThe morning of January 12, 1888, was … Network
The morning of January 12, 1888, was unusually mild, following a punishing cold spell. It was warm enough for the homesteaders of the Dakota Territory to venture out again, and for their children to return to school without their heavy coats—leaving them unprepared when disaster struck. At the hour when most prairie schools were letting out for the day, a terrifying, fast-moving blizzard blew in without warning. Schoolteachers as young as sixteen were suddenly faced with life and death decisions: Keep the children inside, to risk freezing to death when fuel ran out, or send them home, praying they wouldn’t get lost in the storm?
Based on actual oral histories of survivors, this gripping novel follows the stories of Raina and Gerda Olsen, two sisters, both schoolteachers—one becomes a hero of the storm and the other finds herself ostracized in the aftermath. It’s also the story of Anette Pedersen, a servant girl whose miraculous survival serves as a turning point in her life and touches the heart of Gavin Woodson, a newspaperman seeking redemption. It was Woodson and others like him who wrote the embellished news stories that lured northern European immigrants across the sea to settle a pitiless land. Boosters needed them to settle territories into states, and they didn’t care what lies they told these families to get them there—or whose land it originally was.
At its heart, this is a story of courage, of children forced to grow up too soon, tied to the land because of their parents’ choices. It is a story of love taking root in the hard prairie ground, and of families being torn asunder by a ferocious storm that is little remembered today—because so many of its victims were immigrants to this country.
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Good read, though a little draggy in spots.
I know I’ve read a good historical novel when I google for more information after reading.
Overall a good historical novel. However, this reader almost gave up on it. While important to the story, the young teachers’ infatuation with a man and the sexual overtones got to be tedious. Same for the self talk of the journalist. Fortunately there was enough interest concerning the aftermath to spur more reading. The rest of the story’s focus was just that…how families and futures were changed. One wanted to know how things turned out. Also, this book raised awareness of immigrants who came to build a better life for themselves and what a hard life it was.
Powerful dramatic book.
Even though this book is a historical fiction I was not able to put it down. The way the author told the tale of the historic Blizzard of 1888 in Nebraska was riveting. It made me want to find out more about this event.
Historic Blizzard!
Interesting characters show you a glimpse of life on the prairie when it was first being settled, after the railroad cut a path through it and lured people out. It tells what the families had to endure to try and make a life in a new world. Good and interesting story based on real facts. The story does not follow the whole lives of the characters but gives you a peek into how their lives were changed because of the blizzard. It would have been nice to have more information about what happened to them.
This is not the first historical fiction that I’ve read about the children’s blizzard of 1888, a truly tragic event that caught many by surprise and left a scar on the prairie, and the homesteaders that were left to deal with the aftermath. I was intrigued to read Melanie Benjamin’s take on this historic event, and sadly I put down the book a little disappointed.
The Children’s Blizzard is a story that is beyond heartbreaking, is every parents worst nightmare, and that foreboding feeling really stuck with me the entire time I was reading. Then you add in the strange side characters that added a creepy off color, and I was left with mixed feelings about the entire novel, especially with how things played out with the sisters, Raina and Gerda.
The novel as a whole felt disjointed, like the puzzle pieces fit, but had to be forced to do so. I struggled throughout to connect to many of the characters, with the exception of sweet Anette, who instantly grasped my heart, and who honestly was the reason I kept reading even when parts of the book dragged on.
The Children’s Blizzard is set up in two parts: the blizzard and the aftermath. Part one had me glued to the pages, especially the harrowing details of the children fighting this insane weather event, those precious babies only wanting to get home.
The side stories were what really had this novel off-kilter in my opinion, with characters that had true predator and psychotic tendencies, that made me cringe to my core. I felt like there was too much focus on the fictional homesteaders than on the blizzard itself, each character only based on those that experienced this horrific event, and not on a real person who actually lived it. Selfishness abounds in this story and I really didn’t feel like there was enough focus, or respect, for those that were lost in this tragic event. It seems to me that Ms. Benjamin focused too much on the fiction, and not enough on the facts, which is a shame because I think this would’ve elevated the novel as a whole.
While I was reading The Children’s Blizzard my home state of Texas had a record-breaking blizzard come through, and it really put this story into perspective, especially when our power was out for three days, and we had no water. As I read, I was thankful that we live in a time where we can be warned about the weather and can prepare. These poor people had no warning whatsoever and my heart really goes out to the victims of this true and terrifying story.
As far as the novel, I had really high hopes but feel very torn about my feelings and opinions. Not all of the reading was bad, as I stated above, but as a whole it was just okay. There are moments that brought tears to my eyes, and other parts that felt like they weren’t cohesive with the rest of the story, and only put there to further sensationalize the narrative. But honestly, the details of the blizzard are horrific enough on their own, and the novel would’ve been better off without them.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Dell Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
I lived in Nebraska for 5 years and somehow never had heard about The Children’s Blizzard! What a tragic story! The author, Melanie Benjamin, does a good job at the end telling us what about her story was fact and what was added to make the story. I love when an author of Historical Fiction does that! She raised my interest so much I will be reading more about the event in books she suggested.
To make it her story the author did a great job contrasting the heroine teacher and the neglectful teacher. One who saved the lives of her students and one who sent hers to their demise. And they were sisters….
I listened to the audio version which was very well done!
What an amazing book of historical fiction! I had never heard of the blizzard that devastated the people of Nebraska in 1888. The way immigrants were lured to America and promised a wonderful life full of harvest, homes, land, and riches was shocking. So the reader not only learned about the tragedies that affected so many families in January of 1888, but the way the news outlets were misrepresenting the truth. Not so different from today!
Another fact that shocked me was that girls who were basically teenagers were assigned positions as school teachers and given the responsibility for the lives of many children.
The characters are so well developed and you will be drawn into the story with a ferocity as strong as the blizzard winds. You will love some characters, despise others, and your heart will break at some of the experiences they endure.
This is definitely one to put on your to-read list. The author has once again gifted readers with a wonderful escapade through an amazing period of time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The Children’s Blizzard is a heartbreaking fictional account of the actual Schoolchildren’s Blizzard that came on suddenly on January 12, 1988 in the Dakotas and Nebraska right at the time children were being released from school. Hundreds of children perished in the actual event, but this story concentrates on two sisters, Raina and Gerda Olsen, who were teachers, and for various reasons were caught in the blizzard with some of the children. These sisters were just teenagers, and one was heralded as a hero, while the other was not. It also follows the families that took these young women in as boarders, and the family dynamics between the families and the young women. It is also the story of a servant in one of the homes – Anette, who survives the blizzard, and the good fortune bestowed on her by Gavin Woodson, a journalist who feels some guilt for luring immigrants to the brutal plains.
The Children’s Blizzard is an amazing story. Growing up in Nebraska and required to study Nebraska history in 4th grade, I was familiar with the story of the blizzard of 1888. Melanie personalized it even more for me by putting names and real lives to the children that I had studied in class.
Living in the Midwest at that time in history could not have been easy. And then to throw in an unexpected storm that ended up killing a lot of people, children, and livestock, it’s a wonder anyone stayed there. This story shows the hard times of life back then, but there were also good times, and good people, and we see that as well.
Following the experiences of Raina and Gerda, two young teachers who ended up with the lives of so many children in their hands, we get to witness the horror of that freak, unexpected storm that seemingly came out of nowhere. Both of the sisters make decisions that will affect the lives of so many people. I enjoyed how the stories of all of the characters were so intertwined—some stories good, some stories bad—but all of them woven together so beautifully.
At times this was a hard story to read, for the hardships that the teachers and children had to endure. I kept thinking, how can they endure any more? But it’s history and it happened.
The Children’s Blizzard is an accurate depiction of that time and it’s an interesting, eye-opening story. I enjoyed it immensely and devoured the book. And remember, I had to study this topic in grade school.
I loved The Children’s Blizzard and highly recommend it!
It is Thursday, January 12, 1888, and the Dakota Territory and Nebraska are experiencing what they call a “warm” winter day. Every one leaves woolens at home for light coats and shawls. Enjoying a day to let everything breathe and air out. As the morning turns to afternoon an ominous dark cloud moves across the prairie bringing a dangerous blizzard with it. The prairie teachers have a decision to make: send the students home and pray they make it before it gets too bad or keep them at the school and pray they have enough fuel to heat the schoolhouse.
I first heard about this blizzard through the children’s I Survive series and became interested. When I realized Melanie Benjamin was releasing a book on the event I could not wait to request it from my local library. I was not disappointed. My interest was piqued from page one. I did not want to put the book down. The decision the prairie teachers had to make was not an easy one. A literal “between a rock and hard place” decision.
Benjamin did a great job in making you feel what each character was thinking, feeling, and experiencing. A must-read for historical fiction fans.
Triggers: Racism, Child Abuse, Child Slavery, Prostitution
One January morning in the Dakota Territory it is so mild. So mild, in fact everyone goes about their day without coats, hats, mittens or gloves. Children go off to school. Adults head to town to get their essentials. It is a beautiful day. Until Mother Nature takes a quick and fierce turn. Out of nowhere a strong winter blizzard has everyone trapped without any means of staying safe.
Sisters Raina and Gerda Olsen are school teachers in different parts of the territory. They both are trapped with children in their charge when the blizzard hits. One makes tough decisions and one is a coward. Then there is little Anette. She is a servant girl who is determined to make it home in time so she will not get into trouble. These three young ladies lives are changed forever because of decisions made this day.
This is not my favorite book by this author. She has lots of good books but this one fell a little short for me, especially at the first. There are lots and lots of characters and you really have no idea who they are or how they are related. There is very little back story but, it does get better as the story unfolds but it is a rough start. I did enjoy the historical setting. It’s been quite a while since I have read one in this time period.
This would be a good book in front of a fire! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Knowing the tragic stories that arose from the 1888 blizzard, I was curious about how Benjamin could spin a story that avoided being a complete downer while staying true to history.
Benjamin sets the story in several homestead communities with families that represent the different situations people were in when the weather turned abruptly from balmy to a monstrous snowstorm.
She centers on two sisters who become teenage teachers, hoping to raise money for college and a teaching certificate. When the blizzard strikes, one sister’s leadership brings notoriety and the other sister becomes a media darling. Neither could prevent the deaths of students, and both faced anger from family members who held her responsible for the loss of a child. How their stories were spinned by the news media made all the difference. One sister thrived, and the other escapes into obscurity.
The girl teachers illustrate the limited options available for women and their students. Boys also had limited choices; the inquisitive and intelligent farm boy Tor is tied to the land to support his family.
Underlying the tale is how boosters falsely portrayed life in the plains to lure homesteaders to settle there, appealing especially to Norwegian and Swedish immigrants, those whose homeland could not offer the farmland they longed to own. 60% of these homesteaders gave up and left; most of those who remained lived in poverty or on the edge.
And of course, settlers were wanted to spur economic growth and to hold the land from the Native Americans who had been dispossessed, removed, and killed.
Words and promises lure those who long for a better life, spurring people to leave their homeland and families, and in one case almost luring a young teacher to run away with a married man.
I became emotionally invested in these characters, propelled to read on. After the storm, the intensity did not abate as alliances and friendships shifted and, finally, new opportunities arose. These families lost so much, and yet they forge on.
What a read for a pandemic! Determination, strength, fortitude, community, charity, pull these characters through tragedy.
I especially appreciated the portrayal of the communities, offering me a better insight into the character of the Midwest plains. In the Author’s Note, Benjamin wrote, “Considering the era in which we live, I was intrigued and moved by this tragedy involving immigrants, who were welcomed to this country, without whom American would not be what it is today–and who were lured here, in many cases, by outright falsehoods masquerading as news and fact.”
She points out that the plains was a dry and unsuitable environment for farming the crops these immigrants knew. When the Ogallala Aquifer was taped as a water source, it became the ‘breadbasket’ we grew up with, but over-farming is depleting the resource. Some day, it will be a desert again, especially with climate change complications.
And once again, people will be on the move, seeking out new settlements to support them.
Now, I wonder why I waited so long to read this author!
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
Riveting! Could not put it down.
This historical fiction, that reads like a thriller, was inspired by the horrific blizzard that hit Nebraska and the Dakota plains on January 12, 1888 and killed 235 people. Because the storm hit on an unseasonably warm winter day, just as children were being let out of school, wearing clothes not suitable for a blizzard, many of the deaths were children.
Two sisters, both teachers, made different decisions on that day. One sister told the children to run home. The other kept them in the schoolroom. Very different results. One girl is judged a hero while the other is smeared by all.
The story picks up just as the storm hits. Benjamin’s brilliant writing made me feel like I was there in the storm. I felt the panic and desperation of the characters, felt the excruciating cold, heard the whipping wind. The story then follows the survivors in the aftermath of the storm.
The characters were believable. I was astounded at the serious decisions 18-year-old Gerda and her 16-year-old sister Raina had to make. I became more aware of just how grim life was for these early homesteaders. This is undoubtedly my favorite of Benjamin’s books. I highly recommend it.
I was provided an advance copy to review. Opinions expressed here are my own.
Having read a non-fiction account of the Children’s Blizzard, I was eager to read this fictional piece based on the same event. Historical fiction can give readers an opportunity to learn about events that they may not otherwise have known about. Hopefully it then sparks their interest and prompts them to then further investigate the history behind the novel. I think Melanie Benjamin successfully blended historical facts with a likeable cast of characters that should engage readers to look further into a fascinating subject. However, it was because of how much I got into the story that leads me to my one complaint of the novel. I wanted to know what happened to Raina. But then perhaps that is the sign of a well written book, always wanting to know more about the characters because you’ve become so invested in their fictional world!
Intense, lyrical, unpredictable story about a cast of adults and children caught in the famous, deadly plains blizzard of 1888. Benjamin spins the tragic facts of the real-life story into mesmerizing fiction, following two schoolteacher sisters, their charges and other characters through the storm’s descent and its aftermath. Highly recommended.
In 1888, an unexpected blizzard hit the prairie states, especially Nebraska and North Dakota. It was an especially warm day after so many cold days this day in January. The homesteaders we’re glad to get out and wore light jackets. The storm hit just when schools were getting ready to let out for the day.
The story is about two teachers who happen to be sisters. Raina is teaching in Nebraska and Gerda is teaching in North Dakota. One of the teachers sends her students home in hopes they will make it before the storm, the other saves ten of her students.
The story is about the storm, the survivors and those that perished from the two schools. Some lost their limbs, some lost their lives and some lost their minds. It is a storm that will have lasting effects on all that it touched for the rest of their lives. It will never be forgotten. The story, although very sad, is also filled with love, happiness, and the strength of those that survived.
I loved the characters, the good, the bad, and the survivors. Raina and Gerda the teachers and how they each handled the tragedies, Tor and his brother Fredrik, and Anette. Mrs. Pederson who was a hard character and her husband Gunner. Annette’s mom who was a selfish bitter woman, and Tor’s mother who lost so much. I liked the character of Gavin the newspaper man who changed the lives of some of the survivors.
I enjoyed this story about an event in history of which I was not aware. It was a very engaging book, definitely a page turner. I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Melanie Benjamin, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book for an honest review.
5 stars
Nature set the mood for this reader of The Children’s Blizzard a couple of weeks ago. I read the book during an ice storm and a five- inch wet snow that took out the electricity for about ten hours. The story was based on a true event that took place on January 12, 1888 in the prairies of Nebraska. The characters are fictional but based on accounts of stories from the blizzard.
Two sisters, eighteen-year-old Gerda and fifteen-year old Raina are school teachers who board with families. Gerda is farther away in the Dakota Territory. Both girls board with families. The morning of January 12th was unseasonably warm, so the children of various ages were not wearing their heavy winter clothing. As a retired high school teacher, I cannot imagine these young girls being responsible for children of all ages. I kept thinking about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s sister Mary’s time as a teacher. When the storm started, decisions had to be made. Gerda decided to keep her students at school. Raina decided to send the children home. One of the sisters became a heroine and the other sister took a lot of blame. The first half of the book, the reader is right there with the sisters as the chapters alternated between their stories. Both endured a harrowing time. The second half dealt with the aftermath of the storm. Much of the second half was told by Gavin Woodson who came to Nebraska to work for a newspaper after a falling out with a paper in New York. He originally wrote stories to attract immigrants to come and settle in the territories. After the blizzard, he wrote stories about the suffering and then about the heroism of many survivors.
I felt like I was right there with the characters as I read about them. Benjamin kept me rattled during the blizzard and satisfied with the recovery. My thanks to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions are my own.
We meet two sisters who are teachers and a blizzard that is wreaking havoc on the Great Plains just as school is about to be let out.
Raina and Gerda had to make the decision about letting the students run home or to keep them in the school. Either choice was risky…one made the right choice and one didn’t.
The decisions made by Raina and Gerda stayed with them and affected them for their entire lives.
We follow the children, the teachers, the townspeople as the blizzard rages, as people become lost, as those at home are left worrying about their family members, and as everyone is hoping for the best.
Once the blizzard was over, the true colors of the characters came out both good and bad.
THE CHILDREN’S BLIZZARD is based on a true event that took lives and maimed many.
It also is about families who were lured here on the pretense that they would have success, but we see they struggled through harsh winters and parched summers trying to eke out a living.
The characters were marvelously developed and interesting with most being likable. I enjoyed learning their present and past stories.
As you read, you will grow fond of the characters and also pity them for how they have to live, even though most are very strong and resilient.
The book was a bit confusing at first with all the characters and some sections were wordy, but THE CHILDREN’S BLIZZARD is another of Ms. Benjamin’s beautifully written, well-researched historical fiction. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.