The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22156

Title

The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A thrilling adventure following a young boy and his loyal dog as they assist the U.S. Weather Bureau during a catastrophic Mississippi River flood. Blending scientific education with high-stakes rescue missions, this tale captures the raw fury of nature while inspiring patriotism and a spirit of service in young readers eager to join the fight against weather disasters.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of a devastating Mississippi River flood, Francis Rolt-Wheeler's *The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men* chronicles the heroic efforts of Ross Planford and his loyal Airedale, Rex, as they navigate submerged roads and reinforce crumbling levees to protect communities. The narrative introduces the Mississippi League of the Weather, a group of boys mentored by a knowledgeable Forecaster who teaches them the science of meteorology. Through hands-on experiments involving box kites and anemometers, the students learn to measure wind speeds and lift instruments into the upper atmosphere to gather vital data, effectively taming the unknown forces of the sky. The plot intensifies as the boys prepare for a kite race, where Ross unveils a patriotic stunt involving American flags released from a high-altitude kite. The story serves as an educational primer on weather phenomena, including tornadoes, hail formation, and lightning, celebrating the bravery of those who serve the public good. The climax arrives during a violent storm when a lightning strike strips Ross of his clothing and leaves him unconscious. His crippled friend, Anton, performs heroic artificial respiration until Ross's father arrives to revive him, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit against nature's fury. The book concludes with a tribute to the future of the Weather Bureau, emphasizing the potential for young people to master natural forces through knowledge and courage. It underscores the theme that while death and disaster are the price of ignorance, great victories are won through scientific understanding. The narrative portrays the United States Weather Bureau as an organization drawing closer the chains that bind the untrammeled violence of sun and storm, inviting every American boy to join the fight against the tempest. Through vivid illustrations and real-world examples, such as the Galveston sea-wall and Mississippi levees, the text illustrates how humanity is no longer a slave to the demons of the weather but an active participant in safeguarding civilization.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Science