THE DANGER FILES

Analytical studies of the causes, courses, and aftermaths of five disasters, from the story of the sole survivor of an Arctic expedition to direct experiences of Hurricane Katrina and the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Drawn largely from accounts of eyewitnesses or survivors, each of journalist Crowley Redding’s thoroughly researched cases features a dramatic recap of events supplemented by thumbnail profiles of significant figures, “Danger Clue!” text boxes that heighten suspense, and “Fact File” side notes on, for instance, the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale or the topography of the Montana wilderness area where 11 smoke jumpers died in a wildfire in 1949. Each account closes with an analysis of changes that came about following the events—mostly improvements to forecasting, preparation, and rescue procedures. The author leads off with the ordeal of Ada Delutuk Blackjack, a young Iñupiaq seamstress hired to look after four ill-prepared, ill-fated white adventurers sent to explore and occupy remote Wrangel Island in 1921. The book continues throughout to highlight women and Indigenous residents of the locales where the episodes took place, and Cathro’s illustrations reflect that diversity as well as accentuating the drama. And though some of the accompanying ideas for hands-on activities, such as one for the Montana tragedy that suggests lining up kitchen matches at different intervals and lighting them to show how far fires can jump, could lead to painful or at least messy results, they do add interactive elements.

Absorbing fare for young history detectives.