The Birthday Storm by Draper Sharon M

Author:Draper, Sharon M. [Draper, Sharon M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Childrens, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780545281485
Amazon: B00EOALKSI
Goodreads: 19292758
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2009-10-01T07:00:00+00:00

After breakfast we are glued to Poppy’s big-screen television. The weather forecasters seem to love storms. Every five minutes they give updates on what might happen. Every station tries to outdo the other.

“The storm is heading this way!” one announcer says on Channel Three.

“Prepare for the worst,” says the weatherman on Channel Five.

“Wind! Rain! Thunder! Lightning!” the Channel Seven weather lady reports.

The weather people draw circles and arrows on weather maps, pointing to where the storm might hit. All of them look extremely excited and happy. They look like they want to jump up and dance.

I don’t feel like dancing. Grammy’s party is going to be messed up. How can we dance on the beach in a hurricane? Our whole family looks sad.

Grammy speaks first. “Today is Tuesday. The storm is due on Thursday. We need to prepare.”

“But Thursday is your birthday!” I wail.

“There’s still a chance it will turn and go back out to sea,” Sadora says hopefully.

“Suppose it doesn’t?” Sabin asks quietly.

“This house is really tough,” Poppy says with confidence. “We had it built with storms in mind. It is made of stone.”

“Stones don’t blow in the wind?” I ask. I’m a little scared.

“The windows are made of glass,” Sadora says as she looks at the huge picture window that faces the ocean.

“You’re right, Sadora, but Grammy and Poppy have storm shutters on most of the windows. The others we can board up,” Daddy reminds her.

Grammy looks brave and relaxed. “Our home has weathered many big storms. And one small hurricane!” She takes Poppy’s hand into hers.

“How bad was it?” I ask.

“Oh, it was about this bad!” Grammy says as she reaches for me. I guess she can see I’m a little scared, because she tickles me until I can’t stop laughing.

In spite of all my giggles, Sadora says seriously, “All the weather forecasters are saying this storm is a Category One.” I can tell she is really hoping this one will go away.

“Storms can grow,” Mom adds.

I wonder about the sea turtles. “Daddy, are sea turtles safe in a hurricane?”

He stops to think. “Probably so,” he says slowly. “Except for nesting, they live in the ocean all their lives. So I guess they’re used to riding the big waves.”

“But what about the babies in the nests on the beach?” I ask.

“I have heard of storm surges washing away turtle nests,” Daddy tells me honestly.

“Oh, no!” I exclaim. “Me and Grammy found a sea turtle nest on the beach! What will happen to the eggs if we have a big storm?”

“If the storm is really big, the baby turtles might not make it,” Daddy admits.

“Can we do anything about it?” Sabin asks.

“Let’s make some phone calls this afternoon,” Daddy suggests, “and see if we can find some answers.”

“I’ve got friends I can call in the marine science department at the university,” Poppy adds.

“Great idea,” Mom agrees. “Sabin, you can check on the Internet and see what you can find out.”

“In the meantime,” Grammy says, “I need some help.”

“Just tell us what you need,” Daddy offers.

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