Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 is by Sally M. Walker. In December of 1917 two ships collided in the narrow harbor of Halifax in Canada. One of the ships was loaded with munitions bound for war-torn Europe. The explosion was the largest man-made explosion ever before the dropping of the atomic bomb. The blast flattened two communities on both sides of the narrows, killing around 2,000 people and injuring many more. The next day the area was hit by a devastating blizzard that dumped more than a foot of snow and seriously hindered rescue efforts. A fantastic book, with excellent pictures and illustrations that bring this largely unknown incident to life. A great book for young readers seeking to find an interesting nonfiction read and for adults who need an introduction to this tragedy to whet their appetites.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.