Storm Codes follows seven-year-old Katy and her mother as they wait through a staggering November ice storm for her father’s ship to return to their harbor in Duluth, Minnesota. Katy’s story reveals the weather-whipped worries and iron strength needed to wait on land for the sailors plying the inland seas.
The historically based setting and vivid illustrations recall the busy days of Great Lakes shipping in the 1960s. Storm Codes describes some of the ways sailors communicate—and a special code that Katy uses to bring her father home.
www.stormcodes.com
Reviews & Accolades
• Northeast Minnesota Book Award - Children's Literature Honor
• Midwest Booksellers Association - "Midwest Favorite"
• Minnesota Book Award nominee
• Hennpin County Library, MN, featured Storm Codes as one of its top six picks for 2007 children's gift books; shown on KARE11 and FOX9
• "New offering of note" -- Valley Bookseller
"The clear winner in the Children's book category is 'Storm Codes' by Tracy Nelson Maurer. Illustrated by Christina Rodriguez, I call this succulent work of art 'the-little-ore-boat-book-that-could' because it manages to convey emotion and information equally powerfully."
-- Publisher Mike Savage, for The Daily Telegram, February 16, 2008 © DailyTelegram
"...This book does an excellent job of explaining the maritime traffic on Lake Superior while giving a human perspective to the trade that separates families for long weeks. The best part, for older children, will be looking up the actual vessel to see its history. This book is a marvelous way to help children understand a vital part of our region’s legacy and an enjoyable read even for older 'boat nerds' fascinated by the lake and those who sail on it."
-- Konnie LeMay, Editor, December 2007/January 2008 © Lake Superior Magazine
"You will definitely hold the attention of your audience when reading it aloud!...The illustrations are great at conveying the ice and cold. Especially liked the information at the end. Wonderful learning opportunities...so many layers from which to discuss with children."
A. Matzke, Children's Librarian, Nebraska
"Maurer has created a touching testament to the families who stayed at home while husbands and fathers braved Lake Superior for shipping companies such as Cleveland-Cliffs...Good reading."
-- Publisher Mike Savage, for The Daily Telegram, Aug 18/19, 2007 © Daily Telegram
"Author Tracy Nelson Maurer, herself a Duluth native, has crafted an
emotional tale firmly grounded in nautical history. Storm Codes introduces young readers to basic nautical terms, and the color artwork of Christina Rodriguez perfectly evokes the restless ocean. Highly recommended for young people who are almost ready to make the transition from picture books to chapter books."
-- Midwest Book Review
© Midwest Book Review, reprinted with permission.
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
"As an ice storm rages on the Great Lakes, Katy hopes her secret code and the three taconite pellets Papa gave her will bring him and the "Edward B. Greene" home safely. Children will enjoy the story's changing moods through the illustrator's use of bold colors and large-size characters."
-- Harriett Christy, Bookends Book Store, Menomonie, WI for the Midwest Booksellers annual catalog
"This is a historically based book that kids will love, not just for the great story and terrific illustrations, but also for learning the 'secret' of the nautical codes of the Great Lakes sailors as well!"
-- V.S. Grenier, Editor, Stories For Children, Utah
"My children listened through the whole book. Even the one who always
wiggles away. It gives a taste of what life is like on The Great Lakes while
telling an important story of comfort for children. The illustrations are
lovely."
-- By "Red" in Georgia with 5 stars on Amazon.com
"WOW! What a fun book. My kids never tire of hearing and reading this book.Tracy Nelson-Maurer paints vivid images in our minds of how life is in November on Lake Superior. We bought this book for the libraries at both of our childrens schools."
-- By "Bedtime Readers Tom" in Colorado, with 5 stars on Amazon.com
Ordering Information
Storm Codes, a historical-fiction picture book for ages 6 and up, is available in hardcover or paperback editions at local bookstores, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble stores (softcover only online). To order directly from Windward Publishing today, call 800-846-7027 or 952-469-6699 or E-mail: feedback@finneyco.com.
Jacketed Hardcover: WW-0631 · $17.95
ISBN: 0-89317-063-1
Paperbound: WW-064X · $8.95
ISBN: 0-89317-064-X
Description: 11”x11”, 40 pages
Category: Children’s, Historical fiction, Regional History
Windward Publishing
An Imprint of Finney Company
8075 215th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044
(952) 469-6699
(800) 846-7027
http://www.finney-hobar.com
http://www.finney-hobar.com/wwchildbooks.html
The Edward B. Greene is shown on the cover of Storm Codes. The ship still sails today as the Kaye E. Barker, shown here entering the Duluth harbor in a wintery storm. See more photos at DuluthShippingNews.com.
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