I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910

Lauren Tarshis's "I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910" plunges readers into the harrowing true story of America's deadliest avalanche. Set in the Cascade Mountains, the book follows a young girl trapped on a train for days by unprecedented snowfall, only to face a catastrophic snow slide that killed 96 people. This middle-grade novel, part of the popular "I Survived" series, blends historical accuracy with a compelling personal narrative, highlighting themes of resilience, bravery, and the human spirit in the face of immense natural disaster. It's suitable for ages 8-12, offering a fast-paced, engaging read that educates while entertaining.

The Wellington snow slide of 1910 was--and still is--the deadliest avalanche in America's history. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the frozen nightmare pounds with page-turning action and heartwarming hope. The snow came down faster than train crews could clear the tracks, piling up in drifts 20 feet high. At the Wellington train depot in the Cascade Mountains, two trains sat stranded, blocked in by snow slides to the east and west. Some passengers braved the storm to hike off the mountain, but many had no choice but to wait out the storm. But the storm didn't stop. One day passed, then two, three . . . six days. The snow turned to rain. Then, just after midnight on March 1, a lightning storm struck the mountain, sending a ten-foot-high wave of snow barreling down the mountain. The trains tumbled 150 feet. 96 people were dead. The Wellington avalanche forever changed railroad engineering. New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tells the tale of one girl who survived, emerging from the snow forever changed herself.