I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

I've never been a fan of children's books, and though this likely falls more under the category of “young adult,” through the years, I've still not been inclined to pick up these types of titles. Yet, being an emergency manager and crisis leadership academic, I couldn't resist checking out the back cover while in the book store. For kicks, I bought it (thinking it might be something my daughter might eventually like to read since she's shown an interest in what I do for a living). I read it in a day, and it turns out, I enjoyed it!

Tarshis does a good job of weaving a narrative around the historical events. It reminds me of the many behavioral scientists I've read who emphasize the need for a story to drive home facts and figures. Of course, this is hyperbolized fiction, but the story resonates in similar ways. I also love the fact that the author includes a brief section in the back of the book with other sources to read and more straight-forward factual information about the event in question. I chose the eruption of St. Helens because it happened on my second birthday. However, given my experience in researching events like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Joplin tornado, I look forward to reading those titles. Stories are important, yes, but not at the expense of the facts. As such, there's connection and the opportunity to learn. Well done, Lauren Tarshis!