The Children's Blizzard

A Novel

By: Melanie Benjamin

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

From the New York Times best-selling 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 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 16 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.

©2021 Melanie Benjamin (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In this atmospheric novel, as relentlessly paced as a thriller, you experience the encroaching storm from many perspectives and, in the process, understand something important about the tenacity of the human spirit.” (Christina Baker Kline, author of The Exiles)

“Melanie Benjamin reminds us that immigrant stories are at the heart of American history. She weaves a moving and uplifting tale of courage, family, and sacrifice.” (Jean Kwok, author of Searching for Sylvie Lee)

“Melanie Benjamin never fails to create compelling, unforgettable characters and place them against the backdrop of startling history.” (Lisa Wingate, author of The Book of Lost Friends)

Has good intentions

I really wanted to love this book but I kept getting confused with who was a sister, etc!!! Maybe because it didn’t hold my interest so I wasn’t paying attention???!!! Maybe that’s it !!! Narration was perfect!!!

A long slog uphill, both ways, in the snow.

This is the perfect example of a well written book that showed many different perspectives of a horrible historical event. Even so, none of the characters were particularly endearing. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. And it keeps on going. I was very interested to learn about this little known blizzard but wow I think I’d rather read 3 books about the Holocaust instead & I’d finish feeling happier than after this book.

Good Story

Overall. I would say that this was a really good audiobook, with a great story. I personally like that the author took a historical event, and created her own characters, particularly school children, rather than adults. Also, thanks to the narrator, at times I found myself imagining and feeling like the characters, during their moments of intensity, hardship, and grief. I will say, however, I did find it a little confusing at the beginning, with things like, who was who, what their relationships were with each other, and whether or not we were in a flashback. Other than that though, I still say that this a good story to listen to.

Interesting Read

This was book was for the most part an enjoyable and engaging read. In the beginning, it was difficult to keep all the characters and their stories straight, but as the book went on it became easier and the story flowed a bit better. I personally liked the second half of the book better as it described the aftermath of the blizzard. (Though I didn't find the ending super satisfying :( )

Overall, I'd say it wasn't my favorite book, but it kept me entertained and I'll likely recommend it to friends.

The misery of the children.

I think this story could have been told just as well without the swearing and cuss words.

Fascinating

It is hard to believe that some thing so tragic in our history has been lost. For I for one have never heard of this Tragic happening. The children’s blizzard is a tail mostly made up but based on true stories of actual events. For those who like to read about history this is a very good book.

Took a couple chapters to get interesting but good story

This book introduced a lot of characters. A new one in each chapter, that later would intertwine with one another. Initially I was lost and didn’t know who was who, but the book came together well and I enjoyed the story. I’d never heard of the Children’s Blizzard and I love anything that sparks of historical. The reader was great. She performed all the voices well and with enthusiasm. I’m glad I purchased this book even though I was unfamiliar with the subject matter.

Little house on the Prairie time period

I loved it. Learned a lot about homesteading and this time in America. Didn’t realize the Scandinavian influence on the Midwest.

Fascinating Story

I was fascinated with this story… learning about a part of USA history that I had never heard of before. The story was a bit hard for me to follow at first but after the first few chapters it made more sense.

What I didn’t like was the unnecessary profanity and the way the author seemed to degrade most of the adult men in the story. It seems like she has negative personal experiences with men which spill over into this story. I also didn’t appreciate the “barbs” against Christian beliefs.

Despite the negative comments I made above… overall I really enjoyed this fictional account of a true event.

Good Story

It took a few chapters to get into the book but overall all was a well shared story.