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!

This is not my usual ready of fantasy romance, but I did enjoy reading it very much. I feel it is historically accurate and the author had insight into the thoughts of people who survived the dust bowl in the 1930's. It was entertaining and educational, which I very much like.
In this book you learn about Howe and Joanna as they struggle to live in very difficult circumstances. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning, and reading about people who can go through tragedies and come out the other side.