Terrorists, Tornados and Tsunamis: How To Prepare for Life’s Danger Zones

Terrorists, Tornados and Tsunamis: How To Prepare for Life’s Danger Zones

Bibliographic InformationOrndorff, Lt. Colonel John, C.; Harper, SuzanneTerrorists, Tornados and Tsunamis: How To Prepare for Life’s Danger Zones Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007
 DescriptionTerrorists, Tornados and Tsunamis, provides sensible advice for tweens/teens about how to deal with disasters, both natural and otherwise. The book begins with an introduction advising readers that they should not live in fear; instead, they should learn what steps to take to be prepared for danger. Some of the disasters covered are, hurricanes, terrorism, crime, floods and winter storms. Some important topics also covered are how to stay safe in school and on the internet. The book provides explanations of disasters, and what to do to either avoid or prepare for them or what you should in case it happens. Very important advice is offers about developing a family action plans, as well as what items you should have in your emergency and first aid kits. The conclusion once again reminds readers to not let fear stop them from making the most of every opportunity life has to offer. Following the conclusion a list of additional websites and books available on terrorism, crime and natural disasters.

Quantitative Reading Level
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 8.9
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 57.4
ATOS Level: 8.8

Qualitative Reading Level
Purpose: Low. The purpose is explicitly stated.


Structure: Middle Low/Middle High/ High. The organization is simple, there are explicit connections between ideas and conforms to the conventions of the genre.  Text features are used to help the reader navigate and understand content and greatly enhance the readers understanding of the content. The graphics are mostly simple and sometimes unnecessary to understand the text. However some graphics supplement the text while others contain information that is not in the text.

Language: Middle Low. The language used is contemporary and conversational. It is clear, explicit, easy-to-understand, rarely discipline-specific and overly academic.


Knowledge Demands: Middle Low. Subject matter knowledge requires everyday, practical knowledge.  There are few references to/citations of other texts or outside ideas or theories. 

Content Area
Health: Safety

Subject Area Tag
Health, Reading for Pleasure: Chapter Books, Middle School or High School

Content Area Standard
NYS Health Standards
Standard 2— A Safe and Healthy Environment: Health Education, Intermediate and Commencement
1. Students will demonstrate personally and socially responsible behaviors. They will care for and respect themselves and others. They will recognize threats to the environment and offer appropriate strategies to minimize them.
Standard 2—A Safe and Healthy Environment: Family and Consumer Sciences, Intermediate and Commencement
1. Students will know the basic principles of home and community safety. They can demonstrate the skills necessary to maintain their homes and workplaces in a safe and comfortable condition. They can provide a safe and nurturing environment for themselves and others.


Curriculum Suggestions

• What do you do if there is an emergency?

• Create a family action/emergency plan

• What would you put in your emergency and first aid kit?

• What would you do in the event of a natural disaster?

Links to Supporting Digital Content

Family emergency plan
http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

Natural Disasters
http://www.ready.gov/natural-disasters

Build a Disaster Supply Kit
http://www.ready.gov/natural-disasters 

Optional
I saw this book while browsing the non-fiction books in my library. The title caught my eye. I thought it would be an interesting read.

*photo obtained from Google