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The Storm Makers
Enter the world of The Storm Makers, where there's magic behind every forecast.
Then a stranger arrives and tells the twins that Simon is a Storm Maker -- part of a clandestine group of people entrusted with controlling and taming the weather -- and that he is in great danger. Soon Simon and Ruby must race against the clock as they try to master Simon's powers in time to stop a rogue Storm Maker's treacherous -- and potentially deadly -- plans.
In this thrilling new adventure, loyalties can shift as quickly as the wind . . . and the ordinary can turn extraordinary in the blink of an eye.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Jennifer E. Smith
22 books7,551 followersJennifer E. Smith is the author of nine books for young adults, including The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, both of which were recently adapted for film. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and her writing has been translated into 33 languages. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 14, 2012
Aww, yay! :) I loved that ending.
--
Ruby and Simon are having a typical summer. They're adjusting to a somewhat new city, the weather is just a little too hot and they're not as extraordinarily close as they were before, but for the most part, nothing too out of the ordinary has happened.
Until it does.
A real page-turner, The Storm Makers guides you through Ruby's life as she tries to adjust to the fact that her brother has the ability of control the weather. As I was reading this novel, I kept thinking to myself that it was such as interesting direction to have taken to have RUBY as the main focus of the story rather than Simon. In this case, I think that decision worked out really well and it was fascinating to get a peek into the mind of someone privy to all the action but not necessarily going through it first-hand. Ruby was such a great character: level-headed, logical and firm in her beliefs. I love that there was initially some jealousy of her brother's power but always also a love for him and desire for him to succeed. I love reading about twins!
If you're into magic, this is a book for you. I've always been intrigued by the elements and stories about people that worked with them on a magical level and so this was really a hit for me. I was so hooked on discovering some inside facts about the world of weather control and I really hope that this book has a sequel so that I can learn more!
Despite the fantastical elements, The Storm Makers seems a realistic and relatable novel in the characters and the progression of their talents. I can't wait for more!
Cover Comments: Sarah (saz101) mentioned that she thought this looked "Van Gogh-licious" and is that not SPOT-ON? I think so.
--
Ruby and Simon are having a typical summer. They're adjusting to a somewhat new city, the weather is just a little too hot and they're not as extraordinarily close as they were before, but for the most part, nothing too out of the ordinary has happened.
Until it does.
A real page-turner, The Storm Makers guides you through Ruby's life as she tries to adjust to the fact that her brother has the ability of control the weather. As I was reading this novel, I kept thinking to myself that it was such as interesting direction to have taken to have RUBY as the main focus of the story rather than Simon. In this case, I think that decision worked out really well and it was fascinating to get a peek into the mind of someone privy to all the action but not necessarily going through it first-hand. Ruby was such a great character: level-headed, logical and firm in her beliefs. I love that there was initially some jealousy of her brother's power but always also a love for him and desire for him to succeed. I love reading about twins!
If you're into magic, this is a book for you. I've always been intrigued by the elements and stories about people that worked with them on a magical level and so this was really a hit for me. I was so hooked on discovering some inside facts about the world of weather control and I really hope that this book has a sequel so that I can learn more!
Despite the fantastical elements, The Storm Makers seems a realistic and relatable novel in the characters and the progression of their talents. I can't wait for more!
Cover Comments: Sarah (saz101) mentioned that she thought this looked "Van Gogh-licious" and is that not SPOT-ON? I think so.
May 17, 2020
Great middle school read.
April 25, 2012
Those on the lookout for good American rural fantasy should immediately get their hands on The Storm Makers. It's the story of two twelve year-old twins, Ruby and Simon, relocated from the suburbs to ten acres of midwest farm land by their idealistic (and quite possibly over-optimistic) parents. Ruby and Simon had always been very close, but in their new home, they began to go their separate ways, much to Ruby's regret, and she wonders if "maybe they'd never really been inseparable so much as they hadn't ever had room to separate" (page 10). For Ruby (from whose perspective the story is told), books, and science, and helping her dad with the invention that will bring the family some much needed money are most important; for Simon, its baseball and his new friends.
Now the first year of school has passed, and the long, hot summer stretches away from them--no rain has fallen, and the wheat is in danger. Ruby almost wants it to fail, so the family is forced to go back "home;" Simon is so moody that Ruby doesn't know if he feels the same. But then the weather starts acting up--strange twists of wind, leading to a massive storm that seems linked to Simon's sudden fever. And a stranger, a tall lanky man named Otis, appears in the barn...bringing the news that Simon is a Storm Maker, one of an elite cabral that can actually control the weather.
Though the Storm Makers have traditionally been more along the lines of storm alleviators, working to help gentle severe weather, the new official leader, Rupert London, has a different agenda. According to Otis, London wants to let the weather take its toll on the people who are destroying the planet. Otis, however, isn't telling the kids the whole truth--one that is even darker and more destructive. A plan that involves setting up the long draught...setting the stage for an epic disaster.
If Simon can learn to control his powers, and if Otis can convince him to work against London, there might be chance to stop it. But Simon has no clue how to get the weather to obey him, and Ruby, though she can understand the weather intellectually, lacks his raw, magical talent.... I found this a nice twist--Ruby isn't the Special One, and so is in a rather complicated position that's unusual in middle grade fantasy.
The story builds slowly to faster and ever more gripping events, as Ruby and Simon struggle to decide who they should believe...and what, if anything, two twelve year old kids can do. The distance between them lessens as they realize that, when working in harmony, magic and science can work wonders. This is a great one for the younger end of the middle grade set (the nine to ten year olds), and even upper elementary kids of eight or so. It has some powerful emotional weight to it (the back story between Otis and London has some darkness to it), but not of a profoundly disturbing nature. The kid who appreciates a good, powerful summer storm should, in particular, enjoy this one!
I myself appreciated the carefully written nuances of the changing relationship between Ruby and Simon, as the sometimes painful process of growing-up threatens their closeness. It was very pleasing that in the end, although they're still on different paths, they are once more a team. The workings of the Storm Makers, with their myriad intriguing gadgets and devices (mostly created from the love of creating small, not necessarily useful, weatherish contraptions) are fascinating.
And the larger story has nuance as well. London has clearly gone of the deep end, but he's not a one dimensional egomaniacal nutcase. Smith doesn't use her story as an opportunity to preach one way or the other about global warming, but she does leave the reader pondering the relationship between people and weather.
This book might sound a bit like Savvy, by Ingrid Low, but it's not all that similar. Savvy, and its sequel, Scumble, are very much books that take place within families. The threats and dangers are mostly inside those families, and to overcome them requires dealing with real world issues. They have a folksy, real-world feel to them. The Storm Makers is much more traditional in its enemy--the bad guy who threatens the world, and so it has a more epic fantasy flavor to it, with the children having to confront that external, magically powerful threat directly. Which isn't to say that The Storm Makers goes all out epic--it's firmly rooted in our world, which I appreciated.
Now the first year of school has passed, and the long, hot summer stretches away from them--no rain has fallen, and the wheat is in danger. Ruby almost wants it to fail, so the family is forced to go back "home;" Simon is so moody that Ruby doesn't know if he feels the same. But then the weather starts acting up--strange twists of wind, leading to a massive storm that seems linked to Simon's sudden fever. And a stranger, a tall lanky man named Otis, appears in the barn...bringing the news that Simon is a Storm Maker, one of an elite cabral that can actually control the weather.
Though the Storm Makers have traditionally been more along the lines of storm alleviators, working to help gentle severe weather, the new official leader, Rupert London, has a different agenda. According to Otis, London wants to let the weather take its toll on the people who are destroying the planet. Otis, however, isn't telling the kids the whole truth--one that is even darker and more destructive. A plan that involves setting up the long draught...setting the stage for an epic disaster.
If Simon can learn to control his powers, and if Otis can convince him to work against London, there might be chance to stop it. But Simon has no clue how to get the weather to obey him, and Ruby, though she can understand the weather intellectually, lacks his raw, magical talent.... I found this a nice twist--Ruby isn't the Special One, and so is in a rather complicated position that's unusual in middle grade fantasy.
The story builds slowly to faster and ever more gripping events, as Ruby and Simon struggle to decide who they should believe...and what, if anything, two twelve year old kids can do. The distance between them lessens as they realize that, when working in harmony, magic and science can work wonders. This is a great one for the younger end of the middle grade set (the nine to ten year olds), and even upper elementary kids of eight or so. It has some powerful emotional weight to it (the back story between Otis and London has some darkness to it), but not of a profoundly disturbing nature. The kid who appreciates a good, powerful summer storm should, in particular, enjoy this one!
I myself appreciated the carefully written nuances of the changing relationship between Ruby and Simon, as the sometimes painful process of growing-up threatens their closeness. It was very pleasing that in the end, although they're still on different paths, they are once more a team. The workings of the Storm Makers, with their myriad intriguing gadgets and devices (mostly created from the love of creating small, not necessarily useful, weatherish contraptions) are fascinating.
And the larger story has nuance as well. London has clearly gone of the deep end, but he's not a one dimensional egomaniacal nutcase. Smith doesn't use her story as an opportunity to preach one way or the other about global warming, but she does leave the reader pondering the relationship between people and weather.
This book might sound a bit like Savvy, by Ingrid Low, but it's not all that similar. Savvy, and its sequel, Scumble, are very much books that take place within families. The threats and dangers are mostly inside those families, and to overcome them requires dealing with real world issues. They have a folksy, real-world feel to them. The Storm Makers is much more traditional in its enemy--the bad guy who threatens the world, and so it has a more epic fantasy flavor to it, with the children having to confront that external, magically powerful threat directly. Which isn't to say that The Storm Makers goes all out epic--it's firmly rooted in our world, which I appreciated.
July 13, 2021
jennifer smith should've just slept off her idea.
May 7, 2024
I enjoyed reading this adventure for younger folks. Interesting and a good ending. Interesting characters and all around good story
June 28, 2012
This novel borrows themes from L. Frank Baum’s most popular children’s tale to tell the story of one special boy and the incredible destiny that awaits him. The twins are real children—fun loving, disobedient, curious and fiercely loyal to each other and their parents. They are fraternal twins but have begun drifting apart, developing their own distinct natures and diverging interests. Their parents are typical of this sort: loving and kind and yet spectacularly oblivious to their children’s activities (this kind of parents are often found in these stories—the real mother and father of Gaiman’s Coraline, e.g.).
The story deals with unusual powers and the heavy weight of responsibility that attends them. But the author avoids any heavy-handed moralizing by putting us firmly within the action, storyline and thoughts of Ruby, Simon McDuff’s twin sister and the calm yin to his excitable yang.
The sense of adventure never flags. Even while the neighborhood suffers from a deadly drought, there are no boring spots in this novel. In quiet moments, you sense the slow gathering of a storm just barely glimpsed on the horizon. While I was annoyed by the obvious hints of a sequel, making this yet another serial story to join the myriad titles on children’s bookshelves, I reminded myself that Mr. Baum also created a multi-storied universe. Hopefully, this one will continue to win new converts in subsequent installments.
The story deals with unusual powers and the heavy weight of responsibility that attends them. But the author avoids any heavy-handed moralizing by putting us firmly within the action, storyline and thoughts of Ruby, Simon McDuff’s twin sister and the calm yin to his excitable yang.
The sense of adventure never flags. Even while the neighborhood suffers from a deadly drought, there are no boring spots in this novel. In quiet moments, you sense the slow gathering of a storm just barely glimpsed on the horizon. While I was annoyed by the obvious hints of a sequel, making this yet another serial story to join the myriad titles on children’s bookshelves, I reminded myself that Mr. Baum also created a multi-storied universe. Hopefully, this one will continue to win new converts in subsequent installments.
February 20, 2018
Hey y’all! Luv this book it was AMAZING!!! I read this book like a thousand times! Seriously best book ever!😜😜😜♥️♥️♥️luv u book nerds 🤓🤓🤓!!!
April 30, 2012
Weather has definitely been on our minds. We just had the anniversary of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, and we're in the middle of a week of unseasonably hot weather. So it's not surprising that I picked up yet another fiction book about weather. What's surprising is that it is completely different from the last one (Eye of the Storm) yet just as amazing! Great for kids interested in the weather and secret societies. But it's also a must-read for kids who have ever felt out of the loop.
Read
May 27, 2017Started March 10th. It is now April 15th. DNF @ 33%. Smith's contemporary romances I always enjoy. This? Not so much. I'm not sure whether it was the fact that this is aimed more towards children than teenagers, but it just didn't keep my interest. It honestly wasn't so bad, and I didn't mind reading it once I had forced myself to pick it up, but I just didn't care about what happened so I never WANTED to read it...
August 6, 2022
Storm Makers, as the title suggests, is about the discovery of people with the unique abilities to control and manipulate weather. It's summer and twins Ruby & Simon are still getting used to living on the farmland since their move away from Chicago. Their parents are attempting to make their dream jobs a success, with their Dad being an inventor and their Mom a painter. However, things secretly have not been going too well in their self-made business and the crops, their only way to make some income are dying off from the drought that has been going through their farm. Ruby is also concerned with her twin brother, as he has appeared more moody and unwell the last couple of weeks. It is only when she noticed a stranger spying on them does she eventually learn the truth: Simon is granted to be a Storm Maker. The stranger, revealed to be Otis Gray, is also one, but he warns them that a certain member may be wanting to recruit Simon for his own personal gains. Said member, Rupert London, almost succeeds in luring Simon into his mentorship, that Ruby knows she must take matters into her own hands to prevent her brother from taking the wrong turn.
Throughout the book, Ruby, and other Storm Makers, attempt to train Simon into controlling his powers, as he is the youngest to ever have his powers show up and no control would be quite deadly for everyone. While attempting to come up with plans to prevent London's schemes, the brother-sister team must comes to terms with their own inner conflicts. They had been growing distant from each other the last few months and their is some implied issues of small resentments made between them. It is when they manage to rekindle their lost friendship do they find inner strength to progress through the responsibilities of a Storm Maker and decide on the best route to stop London's corruption of the secret society. Along the way, we also get background on London and Otis and learning what being a Storm Maker truly is.
Despite its title, Storm Maker is not much of an action novel, though there are few good scenes of the types of conditions a person could create. Rather it is more of a character-driven story, where teamwork and inner strength is used to combat against forces that seem way too strong for mere children to take on. There is the underlying theme of humanity as the pair must compensate their lack of experience with their own morals to stand up to London's influence and power comes from his own wickedness against humans. In which, it also gives Simon the confidence in using his powers while giving Ruby a sense of duty to use her wits to think outside the box. Sprinkled here and there also is a green aesop in how Storm Makers should help humanity through their powers to prevent such natural disasters. In which, by the end, Ruby & Simon comes out as changed children who were much stronger together as a duo than when we were on their own. So while the story can appear slow, it does generate to high stakes in how a climate showdown would occur, and also inspire readers that the strength of many can overpower the dominance of one.
Throughout the book, Ruby, and other Storm Makers, attempt to train Simon into controlling his powers, as he is the youngest to ever have his powers show up and no control would be quite deadly for everyone. While attempting to come up with plans to prevent London's schemes, the brother-sister team must comes to terms with their own inner conflicts. They had been growing distant from each other the last few months and their is some implied issues of small resentments made between them. It is when they manage to rekindle their lost friendship do they find inner strength to progress through the responsibilities of a Storm Maker and decide on the best route to stop London's corruption of the secret society. Along the way, we also get background on London and Otis and learning what being a Storm Maker truly is.
Despite its title, Storm Maker is not much of an action novel, though there are few good scenes of the types of conditions a person could create. Rather it is more of a character-driven story, where teamwork and inner strength is used to combat against forces that seem way too strong for mere children to take on. There is the underlying theme of humanity as the pair must compensate their lack of experience with their own morals to stand up to London's influence and power comes from his own wickedness against humans. In which, it also gives Simon the confidence in using his powers while giving Ruby a sense of duty to use her wits to think outside the box. Sprinkled here and there also is a green aesop in how Storm Makers should help humanity through their powers to prevent such natural disasters. In which, by the end, Ruby & Simon comes out as changed children who were much stronger together as a duo than when we were on their own. So while the story can appear slow, it does generate to high stakes in how a climate showdown would occur, and also inspire readers that the strength of many can overpower the dominance of one.
March 18, 2020
Jennifer E. Smith's The Storm Makers is the story of Simon and Ruby, twins who live on a farm in Illinois. Their father, a science teacher to an inventor, and their mother, a florist to an artist. Throughout living in this new farm, challenges occurred involving the weather.
I enjoyed reading this book! The book raises the importance of relationships in the family and outside the family. Since they have turned 12 Simon has been moody and seemed to show CONTEMPT towards others. But as soon as he was struggling with not being able to create the weather as he wanted to, Ruby had to help him. And in the end, Ruby and Simon were able to bond more and create a thriving relationship. After their adventure, Simon and Ruby helped their parents to solve their financial problems by giving tips to their dad on his invention, complimenting their mom on her AESTHETIC art, and going to the bank with their mom.
The book was really good! I couldn’t put it down. One thing I would’ve improved on is to put more words into one page so you don't use so much paper and for the chapters to not feel as long. Also, add more background on the parents so you understand more where they came from and how they got to where they are now. Other than that, the book was very interesting and gave me PROCLIVITY to go read more and more.
I do have a few questions now that I have finished reading the book. What happened to Otis and Daisy after they dropped them back off at their house? Where did London go after creating the tornado? Did their dad's invention work? Did their financial problems get fully fixed? I hope, if possible, for Smith to go online and respond to her readers questions about the book to ease the TORRENT amount of questions unanswered.
I enjoyed each chapter throughout The Storm Makers. Each problem caught my attention and caused me to not put the book down. Each problem was solved and there was no cliffhanger! This book was very well written and will catch each reader's attention. I encourage you to read this book, instead of listening to each review finding it INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Enjoy!
I enjoyed reading this book! The book raises the importance of relationships in the family and outside the family. Since they have turned 12 Simon has been moody and seemed to show CONTEMPT towards others. But as soon as he was struggling with not being able to create the weather as he wanted to, Ruby had to help him. And in the end, Ruby and Simon were able to bond more and create a thriving relationship. After their adventure, Simon and Ruby helped their parents to solve their financial problems by giving tips to their dad on his invention, complimenting their mom on her AESTHETIC art, and going to the bank with their mom.
The book was really good! I couldn’t put it down. One thing I would’ve improved on is to put more words into one page so you don't use so much paper and for the chapters to not feel as long. Also, add more background on the parents so you understand more where they came from and how they got to where they are now. Other than that, the book was very interesting and gave me PROCLIVITY to go read more and more.
I do have a few questions now that I have finished reading the book. What happened to Otis and Daisy after they dropped them back off at their house? Where did London go after creating the tornado? Did their dad's invention work? Did their financial problems get fully fixed? I hope, if possible, for Smith to go online and respond to her readers questions about the book to ease the TORRENT amount of questions unanswered.
I enjoyed each chapter throughout The Storm Makers. Each problem caught my attention and caused me to not put the book down. Each problem was solved and there was no cliffhanger! This book was very well written and will catch each reader's attention. I encourage you to read this book, instead of listening to each review finding it INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Enjoy!
July 16, 2018
I was looking for another feel-good love story to read so I resorted to the tried and tested, Jennifer E. Smith. However I was surprised to find the genre of this book! Like any other JES novel, there's nothing really grand or spectacular about the plot, just sincere storytelling and realizations of the protagonists that speaks to the readers no matter what kind of personality/status he/she has.
The twins in the story went through a lot of crazy adventures that all seems like a dream but at the end of the day, they both found themselves in a dinner table with their parents, sharing stories and a meal. Although the realizations in the ending wasn't related at all to them being storm makers, I still found it settling to end the story where it began--the twins being two normal kids that belong to a loving family.
The twins in the story went through a lot of crazy adventures that all seems like a dream but at the end of the day, they both found themselves in a dinner table with their parents, sharing stories and a meal. Although the realizations in the ending wasn't related at all to them being storm makers, I still found it settling to end the story where it began--the twins being two normal kids that belong to a loving family.
March 4, 2018
This book had really well thought out characters, (especially for a middle grade book) there were times where i was almost bored book, but soon after those times, the author would pick up the pace and set the plot rolling. Its a easy read and I'd say that its definitely worth your time.
January 30, 2020
This was fun read. I was able to figure out at the beginning something that took Ruby until the end of the book to figure out, but I'm not exactly the intended audience. Overall enjoyable and an easy sell to kids who like magical adventure.
July 22, 2020
Intriguing story line for middle grades
I found the plot fun and unique. At times it seemed the main characters and writing did not match their age of 12- they seemed younger. I wish some of the main points were explained better. But was still a fun read.
I found the plot fun and unique. At times it seemed the main characters and writing did not match their age of 12- they seemed younger. I wish some of the main points were explained better. But was still a fun read.
August 6, 2021
this is the first “big” chapter book I remember reading as a kid, and now here it is helping me get out of my reading slump. there’s just some thing about this middle grade book that just makes it so mystical, I love it and I’ll read it again and again.
August 20, 2017
Not what I wanted and as much as I didn't want to finish it after I realized it wasn't what I was expecting. i still finished it and liked the way it ended.
September 12, 2017
Figured this was a good one to read on my Kindle while we waited out Hurricane Irma!
February 19, 2018
Good quick little read about siblings 😊
April 4, 2018
Miss Lori read this creative book. Middle school aged kids will find this exciting and suspenseful.
May 16, 2018
Very cute and well-aimed at mid-grade. This was an ARC so I was missing most of the art but the few pieces in the book were gorgeous. A nice mix of responsibility, adventure, magic, and science.
October 29, 2018
Wonderfully done! Due to the small-town /farm setting and somewhat old-fashioned theme, this fantasy novel has the feel of realistic almost historical fiction - very unique!
December 31, 2018
DNF, not enough happened in the beginning of the book.
January 17, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. There were so many book twists it was amazing and it wasn't even hard to read!!
April 3, 2012
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog:
It’s been a long time since I dived into a Middle Grade book. The last time was probably seven years ago when I was in my backyard starting the Harry Potter series. Years and years after it had first been released because I didn’t think I could get into it. Was I ever wrong. As most of us know, Harry Potter is the quintessential good vs. evil, love vs. hate type series. With friendships and magical powers even I could appreciate. Everything about it is so diligently detail oriented, and that was part of the reason I adored the series so much and felt so attached to the characters. All the elements of a well-planned out, well-cared for story were there.
While The Storm Makers was reminiscent of the Harry Potter series for me (basically because Simon was almost like “the chosen one”, the good vs. evil theme, and for its more fantastical elements), the writing style and the basic plot line brought me back to some classics of my own middle grade reading experiences. Specifically, A Wrinkle and Time and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, where two siblings embark on some sort of adventure and are forced to come together and overcome odds in some way. The big difference in The Storm Makers is Jennifer E. Smith’s simple yet gorgeous way of writing. I have to admit that was one of my biggest fears. Would her style remain intact even though she was writing for a younger audience? And it does. It really does. She has such a quiet, down-to-earth way of explaining the thoughts of her characters… it’s so exclusively her. (Seriously, Jennifer can do no wrong in my eyes.)
The idea of a group individuals having the power to control the weather is fascinating, and I really liked the way it was presented here especially since Simon isn’t particularly talented at any one thing and Ruby is more book smart of the two. There’s a certain shift in jealously that would provide for some interesting discussions in a class, or even with parents who are reading this book with their children. I loved there were so many elements of the story that could be used to teach children something but not in a way that was banging them over the head with lessons about the world. When the villain of the story comes into play and his own actions are fully known, there is just an overflow of subjects that can be brought up and fully discussed. As a person who absolutely loved the literature portion of any of my grades, I could just imagine the amazing projects that could come out of a book like this one.
A word of warning: The Storm Makers starts a little slow. It probably took about a hundred pages or so before I was fully invested in it. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not used to reading this type of grade level or just because it’s typical in a book that needs to introduce so much, especially if it is to become a series. (I’m not sure if this is going to happen but it definitely could.) There’s a lot to set up when it comes to creating an involved world like this one, but I think patience pays off in the end. Readers will grow to relate to (or care for) either Ruby or Simon (or both) and the supporting characters carry their own depth in many entertaining (and heartbreaking) ways. I’m interested to see if and when the story continues…
It’s been a long time since I dived into a Middle Grade book. The last time was probably seven years ago when I was in my backyard starting the Harry Potter series. Years and years after it had first been released because I didn’t think I could get into it. Was I ever wrong. As most of us know, Harry Potter is the quintessential good vs. evil, love vs. hate type series. With friendships and magical powers even I could appreciate. Everything about it is so diligently detail oriented, and that was part of the reason I adored the series so much and felt so attached to the characters. All the elements of a well-planned out, well-cared for story were there.
While The Storm Makers was reminiscent of the Harry Potter series for me (basically because Simon was almost like “the chosen one”, the good vs. evil theme, and for its more fantastical elements), the writing style and the basic plot line brought me back to some classics of my own middle grade reading experiences. Specifically, A Wrinkle and Time and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, where two siblings embark on some sort of adventure and are forced to come together and overcome odds in some way. The big difference in The Storm Makers is Jennifer E. Smith’s simple yet gorgeous way of writing. I have to admit that was one of my biggest fears. Would her style remain intact even though she was writing for a younger audience? And it does. It really does. She has such a quiet, down-to-earth way of explaining the thoughts of her characters… it’s so exclusively her. (Seriously, Jennifer can do no wrong in my eyes.)
The idea of a group individuals having the power to control the weather is fascinating, and I really liked the way it was presented here especially since Simon isn’t particularly talented at any one thing and Ruby is more book smart of the two. There’s a certain shift in jealously that would provide for some interesting discussions in a class, or even with parents who are reading this book with their children. I loved there were so many elements of the story that could be used to teach children something but not in a way that was banging them over the head with lessons about the world. When the villain of the story comes into play and his own actions are fully known, there is just an overflow of subjects that can be brought up and fully discussed. As a person who absolutely loved the literature portion of any of my grades, I could just imagine the amazing projects that could come out of a book like this one.
A word of warning: The Storm Makers starts a little slow. It probably took about a hundred pages or so before I was fully invested in it. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not used to reading this type of grade level or just because it’s typical in a book that needs to introduce so much, especially if it is to become a series. (I’m not sure if this is going to happen but it definitely could.) There’s a lot to set up when it comes to creating an involved world like this one, but I think patience pays off in the end. Readers will grow to relate to (or care for) either Ruby or Simon (or both) and the supporting characters carry their own depth in many entertaining (and heartbreaking) ways. I’m interested to see if and when the story continues…
March 4, 2017
This was a good middle grade book about a kid who finds out he is a storm maker. There is adventure, a secret society and villains. It was such a fun read!
September 12, 2015
Ist das Cover nicht toll? Beim Anblick habe ich mal schnell beschlossen, dass mein SUB mal einfach SUB bleiben kann, und habe dieses tolle Fantasybuch für Kinder ab 10 Jahren ergattert. Und mal ehrlich, da steht AB 10 Jahren, nicht nur für Leser im Alter von Jahren, und im Herzen und in der Fantasie ein Kind geblieben, bin ich allemal. ;-)
"Sturmbändiger" ist auch wirklich so bezaubernd, wie der Roman aussieht. Es geht, wie der Titel schon erahnen lässt, um Wettermagie und eine geheime Organisation aus Wettermagiern, die sich selbst Sturmbändiger nennen. Ihr Ziel: Das Wetter beherrschen und Naturkatastrophen verhindern. Ach, ihr meint, dann manchen sie einen schlechten Job angesichts der Dürren, Tornados, Erdbeben und Flutkatastrophen überall auf der Welt? Nun, leider gibt es auch böse und mächtige Sturmbändiger und mit einem von ihnen bekommen es die 12-jährigen Zwillinge Ruby und Simon zu tun.
Die Zwillinge sind vor einem Jahr mit ihren Eltern, die ihre Lebensträume verwirklichen wollen (Erfinder und Malerin), von Chicago auf eine kleine Farm gezogen. Doch dort sind sie nicht glücklich, besonders Ich-Erzählerin Ruby nicht, die die wachsende Kluft zum ihrem Bruder spürt. Als jedoch eine seltsame Vorfälle passieren, ein Toaster einen Kurzschluss verursacht, eine Autobatterie sich urplötzlich entlädt und ein unvorhergesehener Sturm den Ort heimsucht, ändert sich das Leben der Zwillinge auf unerwartete Weise. Plötzlich tauchen Sturmbändiger auf und behaupten, dass Simon einer von ihnen wäre. Doch kann das wirklich wahr sein? Und was wollen die Fremden von ihrem Bruder? Ruby versucht, die Wahrheit herauszufinden.
Ich fand die Geschichte einfach zauberhaft. Neben den sympathischen Hauptfiguren und der tollen Idee mit den Sturmbändigern haben mich auch die liebevolle Aufmachung mit dem Wetterkompass zu Beginn jedes Kapitels, der immer anderes Wetter anzeigt, und das tolle Cover überzeugt. Ich hoffe sehr, dass Jennifer E. Smith eine Fortsetzung schreiben wird, denn die Zwillinge und die Sturmbändiger sind definitiv Helden, auf die noch viele spannende Abenteuer warten. :-)
"Sturmbändiger" ist auch wirklich so bezaubernd, wie der Roman aussieht. Es geht, wie der Titel schon erahnen lässt, um Wettermagie und eine geheime Organisation aus Wettermagiern, die sich selbst Sturmbändiger nennen. Ihr Ziel: Das Wetter beherrschen und Naturkatastrophen verhindern. Ach, ihr meint, dann manchen sie einen schlechten Job angesichts der Dürren, Tornados, Erdbeben und Flutkatastrophen überall auf der Welt? Nun, leider gibt es auch böse und mächtige Sturmbändiger und mit einem von ihnen bekommen es die 12-jährigen Zwillinge Ruby und Simon zu tun.
Die Zwillinge sind vor einem Jahr mit ihren Eltern, die ihre Lebensträume verwirklichen wollen (Erfinder und Malerin), von Chicago auf eine kleine Farm gezogen. Doch dort sind sie nicht glücklich, besonders Ich-Erzählerin Ruby nicht, die die wachsende Kluft zum ihrem Bruder spürt. Als jedoch eine seltsame Vorfälle passieren, ein Toaster einen Kurzschluss verursacht, eine Autobatterie sich urplötzlich entlädt und ein unvorhergesehener Sturm den Ort heimsucht, ändert sich das Leben der Zwillinge auf unerwartete Weise. Plötzlich tauchen Sturmbändiger auf und behaupten, dass Simon einer von ihnen wäre. Doch kann das wirklich wahr sein? Und was wollen die Fremden von ihrem Bruder? Ruby versucht, die Wahrheit herauszufinden.
Ich fand die Geschichte einfach zauberhaft. Neben den sympathischen Hauptfiguren und der tollen Idee mit den Sturmbändigern haben mich auch die liebevolle Aufmachung mit dem Wetterkompass zu Beginn jedes Kapitels, der immer anderes Wetter anzeigt, und das tolle Cover überzeugt. Ich hoffe sehr, dass Jennifer E. Smith eine Fortsetzung schreiben wird, denn die Zwillinge und die Sturmbändiger sind definitiv Helden, auf die noch viele spannende Abenteuer warten. :-)
April 3, 2012
Ruby and Simon are twins, and before they moved to the middle of nowhere, they were close. Now though they have slowly grown apart. That is until some startling news is brought to them. Apparently Simon is a Storm Maker, able to control the weather. Ruby can't even believe that such a thing is possible, but after all the weird things that had been happening it makes a strange sort of sense. There are others like them; other who use their powers to help save lives and others who only want to do harm. Ruby tries to help Simon figure out who they can trust, but they have to trust each other first. The twins might be more valuable than they could have ever imagined.
This was a cute action story about some sweet superpowers. I would love to be able to control the weather. The story remind me of an MG version of the The Avengers (1998), maybe a little less action-y though. Weather is a very fascinating power that is so unpredictable and effects people so much. I think this book could have been a bit shorter for the audience it is meant for. It just seemed like the beginning was a bit drawn out. I liked how even though Ruby and Simon were twins, we met them at a point where they weren't so similar. Simon is more a physical person, where as Ruby is very bookish and brainy. I am always one to enjoy a good villain and this book presented one nicely. I appreciated that in the beginning it was mildy tricky to decide who was trust-worthy. It was made quite obvious at one point, so there wasn't much wonder. There was a surprise twist near the end, but it seemed to me a pretty obvious thing, so it wasn't too surprising, whereas another one was. (Did that make sense? *shrugs*) Anyways. This was a cut book and I recommend you check it out if you like Middle Grade stories and weather.
First Line:
"Only Ruby knew about the stranger in the barn."
Favorite Line:
"Ruby watched the back of his gray coat as he walked away."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1r11...
This was a cute action story about some sweet superpowers. I would love to be able to control the weather. The story remind me of an MG version of the The Avengers (1998), maybe a little less action-y though. Weather is a very fascinating power that is so unpredictable and effects people so much. I think this book could have been a bit shorter for the audience it is meant for. It just seemed like the beginning was a bit drawn out. I liked how even though Ruby and Simon were twins, we met them at a point where they weren't so similar. Simon is more a physical person, where as Ruby is very bookish and brainy. I am always one to enjoy a good villain and this book presented one nicely. I appreciated that in the beginning it was mildy tricky to decide who was trust-worthy. It was made quite obvious at one point, so there wasn't much wonder. There was a surprise twist near the end, but it seemed to me a pretty obvious thing, so it wasn't too surprising, whereas another one was. (Did that make sense? *shrugs*) Anyways. This was a cut book and I recommend you check it out if you like Middle Grade stories and weather.
First Line:
"Only Ruby knew about the stranger in the barn."
Favorite Line:
"Ruby watched the back of his gray coat as he walked away."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1r11...
February 14, 2016
This was a fun book, I don't really feel like writing a big review, but I want to share my thoughts.
I liked the idea of Storm Makers, controlling, fixing and helping the weather. Helping people or in case of evil Storm Makers destroying things.
I would love to be a Storm Maker, though please not of the earthquakes (we saw what happened to the Storm Maker who had that one), I would rather be of the rain or storms.
Our main character Ruby is a wonderful girl, brave and smart. I liked her better than her annoying brother.
I just wish she had gotten more show time, now she sometimes fell back in the shadows of her brother.
Next to the annoying brother we also had a bad guy. God he was annoying. Only thinking of revenge because boohoo things happened. Instead of thinking, instead of asking, he immediately thought that X had brought Y to some place dangerous and so on. Seriously, and then what do you do? Oh, hey I know, let's destroy several places and kill humans! *rolls eyes*
Then the ending, I saw that coming from way in the beginning when Simon first got his magical powers of awesomeness. Bit disappointed that it really turned out that way, I was hoping for some kind of twist, but instead we get something like this.
Also on the ending, so we will get a book 2? Or are all the hints just that, hints and nothing more, it would be very disappointing if they just let whatever happened in the ending go and not make a second book.
The illustrations are one big part of why I picked this book. I love Brett Helquist, he is one of my favourite illustrators, so I just had to have this book. :)
All in all I would recommend this book. It is magical, it is funny and it has awesome things like controlling the weather!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I liked the idea of Storm Makers, controlling, fixing and helping the weather. Helping people or in case of evil Storm Makers destroying things.
I would love to be a Storm Maker, though please not of the earthquakes (we saw what happened to the Storm Maker who had that one), I would rather be of the rain or storms.
Our main character Ruby is a wonderful girl, brave and smart. I liked her better than her annoying brother.
I just wish she had gotten more show time, now she sometimes fell back in the shadows of her brother.
Next to the annoying brother we also had a bad guy. God he was annoying. Only thinking of revenge because boohoo things happened. Instead of thinking, instead of asking, he immediately thought that X had brought Y to some place dangerous and so on. Seriously, and then what do you do? Oh, hey I know, let's destroy several places and kill humans! *rolls eyes*
Then the ending, I saw that coming from way in the beginning when Simon first got his magical powers of awesomeness. Bit disappointed that it really turned out that way, I was hoping for some kind of twist, but instead we get something like this.
Also on the ending, so we will get a book 2? Or are all the hints just that, hints and nothing more, it would be very disappointing if they just let whatever happened in the ending go and not make a second book.
The illustrations are one big part of why I picked this book. I love Brett Helquist, he is one of my favourite illustrators, so I just had to have this book. :)
All in all I would recommend this book. It is magical, it is funny and it has awesome things like controlling the weather!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 30, 2016
**What starts as an ordinary summer turns exciting and perilous for twins Ruby and Simon when strange occurrences begin happening on their farm -- sudden gusts of wind, rainstorms, and even tornado warnings -- that seem eerily timed to Simon's emotions.
Then a stranger arrives and tells the twins that Simon is a Storm Maker -- part of a clandestine group of people entrusted with controlling and taming the weather -- and that he is in great danger. Soon Simon and Ruby must race against the clock as they try to master Simon's powers in time to stop a rogue Storm Maker's treacherous and potentially deadly plans.
In this thrilling new adventure, loyalties can shift as quickly as the wind . . . and the ordinary can turn extraordinary in the blink of an eye** (Summary taken from Goodreads)
If you have a middle school student who loves storms or anything weather-related, I highly recommend The Storm Makers by Jennifer E. Smith. Well-written with lots of interesting characters, The Storm Makers is good fun intertwined with mystery. Twins Simon and Ruby are shocked to discover Simon's moods affect the weather. Even more surprising, he isn't the only one. Otis, who controls the wind, and Daisy, who controls earthquakes, take Simon under their wing as he tries to master his power. Along the way, they met master villain Rupert London who uses the weather for his own purposes.
The Storm Makers kept me up turning pages all night long. I wanted to know what happened next and what Rupert London's problem was. At times, the story lagged, but when it picked up the pace again, it never disappointed. The ending brought a great resolution, yet it left you wanting more. The older elementary school set would probably enjoy this book as well. I award it 4 out of 5 stars!
Then a stranger arrives and tells the twins that Simon is a Storm Maker -- part of a clandestine group of people entrusted with controlling and taming the weather -- and that he is in great danger. Soon Simon and Ruby must race against the clock as they try to master Simon's powers in time to stop a rogue Storm Maker's treacherous and potentially deadly plans.
In this thrilling new adventure, loyalties can shift as quickly as the wind . . . and the ordinary can turn extraordinary in the blink of an eye** (Summary taken from Goodreads)
If you have a middle school student who loves storms or anything weather-related, I highly recommend The Storm Makers by Jennifer E. Smith. Well-written with lots of interesting characters, The Storm Makers is good fun intertwined with mystery. Twins Simon and Ruby are shocked to discover Simon's moods affect the weather. Even more surprising, he isn't the only one. Otis, who controls the wind, and Daisy, who controls earthquakes, take Simon under their wing as he tries to master his power. Along the way, they met master villain Rupert London who uses the weather for his own purposes.
The Storm Makers kept me up turning pages all night long. I wanted to know what happened next and what Rupert London's problem was. At times, the story lagged, but when it picked up the pace again, it never disappointed. The ending brought a great resolution, yet it left you wanting more. The older elementary school set would probably enjoy this book as well. I award it 4 out of 5 stars!
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