As an environmentalist, the Dust Bowl is an era in American history that fascinates me to no end. While loads of sources will tell you about the millions of people who left their farms during the Dust Bowl, this novel focuses on a fictional family who stayed. In recent years, historical fiction novels have begun to grow on me, so I was all the more excited to give this one a read.

"It sounds to me like we've each been carrying the same burden separately. Maybe we should try sharing the load."
-Alyssa Colman, Where Only Storms Grow

Where Only Storms Grow is told from the perspectives of 12-year-old twins Joanna and Howe Stanton. Through circumstances both necessary and unfortunate, much of the burden to save their family's farm falls onto the young twins. But their tense relationship and individual burdens make this task all the more daunting.

I found both Joanna and Howe to be compelling protagonists. While both twins face the same issue of saving the family farm, they also have their differences. Joanna and Howe have unique struggles, values, and aspirations that make each of their stories stand out. Howe's dreams of being a writer pull at readers' hearts, and his pain at being unable to pursue his passion is something to which many can relate. His yearning and passion are so vividly portrayed that you can't help but root for him along his journey.

Howe's twin sister, Joanna Stanton, is equally endearing. Smothered by her mother's concern for her scoliosis, Joanna often feels frustrated and hopeless. But when she gets a job at a local hospital, the entire world begins to open up for her. Joanna's character growth arc is nothing short of inspiring. And I don't just mean that in the "disabled people are inspiring" way, but in the "I love stories about people who learn to see potential in the world" way. Through her work, Joanna finds meaning, and I connect with this concept on a personal level, making her story all the more meaningful.

"I wasn't in any hurry to grow up -- it seemed like I already had enough responsibilities as it was -- but the thought of helping people and seeing a little bit of the world made the future feel like something it never had before: full of possibility."
-Alyssa Colman, Where Only Storms Grow

Of course, Joanna's disability is also an excellent part of Where Only Storms Grow. Author Alyssa Colman also has scoliosis, and Joanna's symptoms are largely based on her own. We all know that I'm a massive advocate for OwnVoices stories, and this is an excellent one. It's so rare to see disabilities represented in novels (or maybe I'm just not reading the right novels), but Colman does an outstanding job of weaving Joanna's scoliosis into her character and the overarching plot. I learned a lot about scoliosis specifically and also the social/emotional aspects of living with a physical disability.

Along the way, this book teaches about a lot more in addition to scoliosis. I found myself enthralled by Colman's descriptions of the Dust Bowl storms, dust pneumonia, and how people dealt with the hardships of this man-made ecological disaster. The details that Colman provides not only bring the story to life, but also evoke eerily familiar images of climate change and pandemics that bind the story even more to the reader. I literally got chills when I read the painfully familiar line "We're living in unprecedented times."

Where Only Storms Grow's connections to the modern world help to nail in all its themes. This novel explores family dynamics, the power of hope, and community, among many other equally powerful topics. Every page includes something for readers to connect with and learn from. But it's also not all doom and gloom! There's plenty of comedic relief (I adore Ruby the indoor chicken!) and joyous moments to breathe a perfect amount of levity into a story that otherwise has the potential to be incredibly heavy.

Although I cherished this novel, I also have to mention the reason I can't give it 5 stars: the ending. For a story with such emotional power and complex characters, the ending is rather abrupt and (dare I say) unsatisfying. Maybe this is just me wanting more of such an incredible story, but I wish there had been an extra chapter or two at the end to flesh out the impact of how everything wraps up. But other than that, I have few complaints.

Overall, Where Only Storms Grow is an easily lovable and refreshingly thoughtful story. It is great for historical fiction lovers and super accessible for younger readers. This novel is easy to connect with and highly educational in so many ways. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for stories about disabled characters or life during the Dust Bowl era.

"Asking for help isn't giving up. It's refusing to give up."
-Alyssa Colman, Where Only Storms Grow

Oh, how I love Alyssa Colman's work!!

I'm in love with her Gilded Magic fantasy series, so when I saw she was writing a historical fiction novel (in one of my favorite time periods to read about, no less) I just knew I had to read it. And I'm glad I did!

"Where Only Storms Grow" follows twins Joanna and Howe Stanton, two protagonists with strong voices and lots of layers. Both of them feel distinct from one another, with their own interests and struggles. I greatly appreciate that Colman created a boy character who loves more "feminine" things like writing and poetry; I think that is a wonderful thing for boys to read about especially. I also appreciate her portrayal of Jo's scoliosis--she shows the various physical and mental/emotional facets of living with chronic pain from a medical condition, and it was done with plenty of care. I know the author drew from her own experience with scoliosis which makes me appreciate the inclusion even more, from an adult reader's perspective.

I also appreciate the author's dedication to her research and her accurate portrayal of the times Jo and Howe are living in. It was so fascinating to read about Hoovervilles, the SES, Red Cross hospitals, farm life, dust pneumonia, and precautions taken during dust storms. I think Colman presented these things in a way that was engaging enough to hold the interest of younger readers.

The story takes plenty of turns, including a few heartbreaking and distressing ones that kept me on the edge of my seat. I think the author handled these events with depth and care; in one instance she uses a poem to convey a devastating piece of news to the reader, which helps soften the blow a bit while still providing emotional impact. The ending of the story is hopeful and happy enough that young readers likely won't feel distraught by the end of the story.

All in all I loved this book (as I expected!) and would highly recommend it to any reader who enjoys heartfelt and hopeful stories, stories about siblings and family, or historical fiction of any sort.

[Disclosure: Special thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for providing this title for early consideration/review]. At its heart, this novel is a tale of family, courage, and overcoming immense challenges, set in the Dust Bowl-era Oklahoma Panhandle. Joanna, Lou, and Howe, three siblings, band together with their mother to keep their farm running after their father leaves for California to seek a better life out west. With the constant threat of dust storms looming, the novel possesses ample suspense, and Joanna's struggle with scoliosis cements her as a courageous character who must overcome immense obstacles to help her family and others. Perhaps what I enjoy most in this novel is the historical detail it presents; it is clear through the story that Colman did her research beforehand, and the author's note at the end humbly cites the sources utilized during the book's creation. Ultimately, the book highlights one of the lesser-talked-about eras in history, presenting the era from younger eyes and immortalizing in vivid detail one of the most harrowing manmade disasters in U.S. history. Colman has created a touching novel which will appeal to young and mature audiences alike.

This story was okay. It didn’t captivates like I hoped it would. I love a good historical fiction in children’s novels.

This was probably one of the best books I've read that focuses on the Dust Bowl. I loved that it was dual narration boy/girl. And that it covered how the Dust Bowl affected the whole life--including future dreams. It was a story of survival and hope. Very very well done. I would include this in any school studies on the time period along with Out of the Dust.

I also liked the additional look at the scoliosis aspect too.

5 Stars
*thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for my ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

Hi, I wrote this book. Don't worry, I don't read reviews and won't be perusing your comments. But I wanted to see how it would look formatted for my e-reader, so I requested an ARC. Now, NetGalley is making me provide feedback. So, here we are. :)
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed the book!

Where Only Storms Grow is a beautifully written and deeply immersive novel that made me feel the weight of the Dust Bowl era. Alyssa Colman’s descriptions of the relentless dust storms and the desperation of families struggling to survive were so vivid that I could almost feel the grit in my teeth. The atmosphere was heavy with hardship, but the story never lost its undercurrent of hope.

What stood out to me the most was Joanna’s journey. I have never read a book where the main character had scoliosis, and seeing her strength and determination was incredibly moving. Her bond with the nurse who also had scoliosis was one of my favorite aspects of the story. It was refreshing to see a character with a physical disability not just overcoming challenges but finding purpose and confidence in her own way.

This book was an emotional and thought-provoking read, not just because of the historical elements but because of how relevant it feels today. The struggles of these characters serve as a reminder of how fragile our environment is and what perseverance truly looks like. Where Only Storms Grow left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction with strong, memorable characters.

This is the reason you read Middle Reader. To find stories like this that really transcend age and genre. I loved every minute of Jo and Howe's dustbowl drama. I loved the characters, I loved the heart - I'll be thinking about this one for a long time and CAN'T WAIT for my 5th grade book club to read it.

This historical novel is a phenomenal description of life during the dust bowl. Through dual timelines with twins Howe and Joanna we learn the ways people stayed ahead during this time period. The author describes in very great detail the way the dust storms happened and the things the family did to push through and persevere with the odds being so much against them. Though this is described as middle school historical fiction I think adults interested in this genre would enjoy the book too. There is much history to be learned from this time period. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"It’s been four years since rain fell on the Oklahoma panhandle and the closeness between the Stanton twins has dried up as much as the land. Howe Stanton has been practicing running away and longs for the family to quit this land of dust where only troubles grow. Despite the scoliosis that causes Joanna Stanton near-constant pain, she isn’t ready to give up like her brother. But when Daddy leaves the family behind to find work in California, saving the farm from ruin falls on Howe’s unwilling and Joanna’s uneven shoulders.

To pay the mortgage, Joanna takes a job at the local hospital and discovers purpose in helping others. Howe finds unexpected joy in books and writing poetry."

This fantastic book could be describes as the kids in the Joad family (Grapes of Wrath) remaining in OK during the dust bowl period. The characterizations were fully fleshed out, the setting described so well you could feel and smell the dirt and dust. What I especially like was Joanna's arc and how she dealt with her scoliosis. Her character reminded me of Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird). The use of two POV's (the twins) was interesting and created depth in the story.

The history that is revisited in this book is essential reading for Middle Grade and H.S students. The themes of family, community, disability awareness, and ecology are all part of this book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read such a great book!

“I looked in her eyes and found determination. Her speech was halting, imperfect, and exactly what I needed to hear. We were full of dust and dreams, but something stronger too. Something that couldn’t easily be blown over.” - Howe, WHERE ONLY THE STORMS GROW

This historical fiction novel about a pair of twins living in Oklahoma in the spring of 1935 is engaging and fast-paced. This story uses duel narrators, twins Joanna and Howe Stanton, to give a glimpse into what it was like to grow up during the Dust Bowl. Themes of family, community and survival are all present.

I especially enjoyed the relationships among the characters in this story. Regardless of how they were connected, there is kinship and a ‘we are all in this together’ aspect that lent hope regardless of the trials and tribulations each of the characters were facing.

As a former middle school ELA teacher, I think this novel is well-researched and would be a good complement to a non-fiction piece about the Dust Bowl and/or Black Sunday.

I can’t think of many other books set during the Dust Bowl that would have this appeal for middle grade readers. It had two strong narrators, a brother and sister, and could appeal to many different readers that way.

I like their strong solutions to their problems and also the realistic portrayal of the terrors of the Dust Bowl.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I didn’t want it to end. This is the story of two twin brothers who fight against the adversities of their time. Exceptional, a beautiful and very well-written story. It will truly stay in my memory for a long time.

It is always amazing to me when authors are able to write more than one genre! What an incredible historical fiction piece. I learned so much. The characters represent the strength of the people who survived this part of history. This book would pair incredible well with Out of the Dust!

This is exactly the kind of book I was drawn to as a child. Immersive, detailed historical fiction with an endearing cast of characters; I totally would have read this along with the Dear America diaries and American Girl historicals. Told in alternating chapters by twin siblings, Howe and Joanna, this is a moving story about a family's fight to survive during the Dust Bowl.

Living in Oklahoma during the dangerous storms of the dust bowl era is not an easy time for young twins Hal and Joanna Stanton. They're crops are failing; their neighbors are giving up and moving away, and even their beloved father has headed off to California in search of work. The twins and their remaining family and friends must face the trials of the dust alone and must find the courage and resourcefulness to save themselves and their town from one of the most dangerous storms ever.

This is a fantastic middle grade historical novel rich in both story and facts. It will keep readers entertained but will also give them a glimpse into what life was like for the inhabitants of the dust bowl during this time period. They will find themselves engrossed in the Stanton family, wanting them to succeed not just in keeping their farm, but in each of their personal efforts as well. And they will ultimate find hopely in one family's resilience and a community's steadfast determination to survive.

Other than the historical context which was well-drawn and fascinating, my favorite part of this book was the relationships between the members of the Stanton family. The way that they grow and change over the course of the book is wonderful to watch, and it adds a human layer to the historical narrative. I found myself in awe of the family as they navigated through life in such tough circumstances and think that there is a lesson here for all of us to learn.

I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction fans and to young readers who want a good story that really shows off the qualities of determination and grit. Great book!

WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW is a richly told, deeply immersive historical novel about the Dust Bowl era. But it's also so much more, it's a story about family and resilience, it's about the grace that comes from being a good person, and about caring about your land and community more than what's in your own pocket. Told through the dual POV of twins Howe and Joanna, Colman delivers an impeccably drawn world and a tale packed with history, heart, and a whole lot of tension and drama. Unputdownable is the best way to describe Colman's first historical novel!

I can't think of many MG titles that focus on this enormous ecological tragedy, and know this will make a perfect interdisciplinary read for history as well as science classes.

Young readers and teachers will, I predict, eat this up off a big upside-down bowl!

Thank you to FSG and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an e-arc.

Both fun and powerful - a middle-grade coming-of-age story with twins! Relatable characters with youthful thoughts and a lot on their shoulders.

I stayed up all night unable to wait for the next danger this family faced, the next switch between voices, the next way that one of the young twin protagonists would handle the situation. Recommended reading for individuals and for middle-grade school reading with abundant excitement and plenty of historical details from the Dust Bowl era, pertinent ideas for the impact of human land use, and strong life skills for discussion.

Equal parts action-packed and emotional, and led by a cast of endearing characters, this novel is guaranteed to grab middle grade readers. Told in alternating chapters by twins Howe (a budding poet) and Joanna (who wrestles with scoliosis), this is an empowering story about a family struggling to save themselves and their farm during the Dust Bowl. Complete with vivid depictions of the "black blizzards" of topsoil that violently swept through their town, the book provides a unique and invaluable opportunity to engage young readers in American history and environmental activism. I just adored this read.

I couldn't put the book down! Where Only Storms Grow is a captivating story using a dual narrative that brings the 1930s 'Dust Bowl' to life. I loved the man-made natural disaster angle, and the Stanton family was engaging, heartwarming, and steadfast!