Before I started this book, I didn't know anything about the tornado that devastated Tupelo. It's probably one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history, although no one knows exactly HOW deadly, because while 200 people were killed, no one kept track of how many black people died. (I can't wrap my head around either of those things--200 people killed in the blink of an eye or the fact that no one bothered to count how many people of color died. And since that was most likely a poorer section, it could easily have doubled the casualty rate.)

Still, though, this book is about the survivors. And somehow, against all odds, a baby survived being flung incredibly far. He's found and saved...but he's assumed to be part of a different family. 

Everything about this story is fantastic, in both senses of the word. It's a remarkable achievement and, even though horrible things are done, there aren't any real villains here. I'm not a huge fan of Jo, but she did not great things for good reasons. And she had a head injury, so I'm hoping that was part of it.

This is an absolutely stunning novel. Recommended.