Day of the Cyclone

It's the summer of 1912 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Ella Barclay is bored with her life. Things look up when she receives a camera for her birthday. A camera! "To make a great picture," says her father, "you must look for the story."

Looking for the story leads Ella to Billy Forsythe, the new boy at school. He's a liar, and maybe a thief. He sure makes life interesting. But can Ella trust him?

Soon enough, a few lies count for nothing. When the worst tornado in history strikes, the question is – who will survive?

Awards:

Winner: Saskatchewan Book Awards, Publishing in Education 2013

Silver Medallist, Moonbeam Awards, 2012

Finalist: Diamond Willow Readers' Choice Award, 2014

Reviews:

"Penny Draper's latest instalment in the highly entertaining and educational Disaster Strikes! series tells the story of the deadliest tornado in Canadian history, which killed 28 people and left more than 2,500 homeless when it swept through Regina on June 30, 1912. Draper's exciting coming-of-age story, featuring a relatable protagonist and set against the backdrop of an historic moment in danger of fading from consciousness, strikes the perfect balance between enthralling and informative."  Quill and Quire, February 23, 2012

Penny Draper has the voice of a storyteller, and like all good stories, Day of the Cyclone cries to be read out loud. Not only do the voices of the characters ring true, but the voice of the narrator also clearly rings through.  Keith Foster, SPG Review, October 10, 2012