Chasing Helicity Into the Wind

This chapter book follows Helicity Dunlap, a young girl still reeling from devastating tornadoes and flash floods in Michigan. Seeking solace, she visits her best friend Mia in Texas, hoping for a carefree summer. However, her anxieties are heightened by concerns for her older brother, who unexpectedly joins her. The tranquility shatters when a derecho, a severe windstorm, strikes during a sailing trip, forcing Helicity to draw upon her inner strength and knowledge to navigate the perilous situation. The story explores themes of fear, resilience, family bonds, and overcoming trauma in the face of natural disasters. It's suitable for readers aged 8-11.

When Helicity Dunlap flies for Texas to spend time with her best friend Mia she hopes to leave the tragedies of the devastating tornado and flash flood back in Michigan-at least for a little while. Her responsibilities at Mia's Aunt Suze's beachfront bed and breakfast are pretty simple and leave her lots of time to enjoy hunting for sea glass, sunbathing, and exploring a summer romance. But Helicity comes by her name honestly-Helicity means to spin-and her troubles from home follow her south. Her concerns about her older brother Andy intensify-even though he shows up to surprise her in Texas. And if there's one place in the world that has weather to rival Michigan's, it's Texas. She and her friends go out for a day sail and get caught up in a derecho-a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms that once again turn her boat-and life-upside down. She'll have to face her fears and muster all her strength and knowledge to fight her way out of the nightmare.