Young Adult Review: Storm Shelter by April Salee

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

Storm Shelter is written by April Salee and is published by Whitepaper Books. In it, we meet Amelia Barber who returns home early from school due to a severe storm that is about to hit her area. Upon reaching home, Amelia realizes that she does not have her house key. She is about to seek alternate shelter from the storm when she is abruptly pulled underground. She comes face to face with Starla, an Earth Ranger. Starla is a protector of those in need and informs Amelia that she has the potential for great things in the future. She explains this is why she was saved from the now-escalating storm above.

Amelia is skeptical, wanting to be just an ordinary girl growing up doing ordinary things. But soon she realizes that everything the Earth Ranger has said is all true. Sometime after, Amelia is once again approached by Starla. The Earth Ranger begins to inform her of those she is to save, as well as offering her encouragement and guidance. From there Amelia must accept her new role in the world. This includes helping defeat a bully, Clayton Thumbs. And helping a "furry friend", named Dara, that enters Amelia's life and offers some comedy relief. Amelia's world is opened to new possibilities that lead to the discovery of amazing powers she did not know she had.

This story has a lot of underlying messages about caring for others, bullying, and the wonders that we often miss by being embroiled in petty things. Ameilia Barber is a great role model for teenagers, with a sharp wit and a caring heart. Salee has unearthed her own talent as an up-and-coming Young Adult writer. There is a sense of wonder not only in Amelia's narrative but in the author's writing style.

I gave this book four out of five stars. I walked away from Storm Shelter feeling very warm and happy. That is always a great feeling to carry away from a book.

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