A midwestern farm-family finds their day going from slow and leisurely to fast and frenzied, as a massive storm - a Thunder-Boomer - descends upon them. As Dad makes for the barn on his tractor, mother and daughter rush to get in the laundry, and son and dog attempt to secure the chickens. But what's this? Why is Maizey - the girl's favorite chicken - refusing to enter the coop?

With plenty of narrative excitement, and appealing illustrations, Thunder-Boomer will engage young readers' attention, and hold it fast. Carol Thompson's artwork conveys the sense of motion and immediacy to be found in the text, no doubt inspired by author Shutta Crum's own experiences living on a farm. With roaring wind and pelting hail, not to mention a surprise gift left by the storm, children will find much here to enthrall and entertain. ( )

really enjoyed this book, it is great for teachers to talk about thunderstorms and the process it goes through. It is good story to talk about the different settings the characters were in the story. Kids will love it because it has funny parts and the illustrations are very good. ( )

Somehow I've never read anything by Shutta Crum before. I don't even recall hearing her name (and I would have remembered, don't you think?). Now I'm wondering what I missed, because I think this is going to be a classic! It's a hot and humid day on a midwest farm, until clouds begin to gather. It's a thunder-boomer! A giant storm that sweeps over the farm with thunder, lightning, torrential rain, and hail. When it's all over, they find something special out by the barn.

The language is evocative and lovely, but retains plenty of action and fun sounds for children to enjoy. There's genuine tension in wondering if the hail will damage the crops, but it doesn't detract from the family's appreciation of the cooling and majestic storm. A perfect read-aloud for hot summer days, or for kids feeling a little scared of a big storm.

Carol Thompson's illustrations are a great match for this fresh story. Her mixture of materials and techniques gives a realistic and textured feel to the illustrations and is perfect for showing the evolution of the storm.

Verdict: Recommended

ISBN: 978-0618618651; Published June 2009 by Clarion; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

A farm family scurries for shelter from a violent thunderstorm that brings welcome relief from the heat and also an unexpected surprise.