Jack vs. the Tornado: Tree Street Kids (Book 1)

By Amanda Cleary Eastep

Adventures, friendships, and faith-testers . . . all under the watchful eye of a great big God.

The Tree Street Kids live on Cherry, Oak, Maple, and Pine, but their 1990s suburban neighborhood is more than just quiet, tree-lined streets. Jack, Ellison, Roger, and Ruthie face challenges and find adventures in every creek and cul-de-sac—as well as God’s great love in one small neighborhood.

In the first book of the Tree Street Kids series, 10-year-old Jack is shocked to discover his parents are moving from their rural homestead to the boring suburbs of Chicago. Full of energy and determination, Jack devises a plan to get himself back to his beloved farmhouse forever. Only three things stand in his way: a neighbor in need, a shocking discovery, and tornado season. Will Jack find a solution? Or is God up to something bigger than Jack can possibly imagine?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Release date: Apr 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780802499127

Book preview

A new favorite read aloud for all families. An exciting story, engaging characters, and solid truth, this is the first book of what is sure to be a fascinating series.

BROCK EASTMAN, author of the Quest for Truth series

This is the kind of children’s book series I’ve been searching for. I finished Jack vs. the Tornado in one sitting and felt a growing fondness for the characters with each passing chapter. I can’t wait to introduce my children to the Tree Street Kids!

ASHERITAH CIUCIU, author of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids (2021)

When ten-year-old Jack Finch has to leave the farm he loves and relocate to the suburbs of Chicago, he’s not happy. After all, who would want to leave their pet chicken behind and move into a strange home that’s next door to a cemetery? Join Jack and his new friends in the first of these exciting adventures.

GLENYS NELLIST, author of the Love Letters from God and Little Mole series

The Tree Street Kids series is full of adventure, mystery, and is a flat-out good read! As a young reader, I grabbed a book that encouraged my faith and devoured it. I think the same thing will happen as children read this series. Bravo!

CHRIS FABRY, author and host of Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio

When I read Jack vs. the Tornado at bedtime, my kids would beg me to read one more chapter. I always gave in because, secretly, I enjoyed the book just as much as they did.

ISABEL TOM, mom and author of The Value of Wrinkles: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life

Jack vs. the Tornado is a lovely, encouraging, fun, and hopeful book. Amanda weaves an adventure tale that is captivating to children and moving to adults. My young daughter couldn’t put it down. Then it was my turn. I laughed even as I fought back a tear. Amanda skillfully weaves into the story important life issues: change, friendship, family challenges, aging, service, love, faith. These themes are so organic to the story that they touch the heart gently, winsomely, and naturally. Jack is nostalgic in that it treasures past experiences and bends them helpfully to present situations; and it is hopeful as it reaches outside of itself to Christ. Jack vs. the Tornado will be treasured by children and trusted by parents for generations to come.

RAY RHODES JR., author of Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon and Yours, till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon

Since Jack vs. the Tornado is written for children, I thought I’d have two of my grandchildren read it. When I asked Isaac, who is 9, what the central message was, he said simply, It shows that God is with us even when we have to do hard things. Abby, who is 17, was more detailed: This book was constantly throwing twists and turns at the reader; it kept me on the edge of my seat. The light of Jesus Christ shone across this book as the main character is having trouble trusting God in his new move. The plot allows this book to relate and apply to many kids, giving a clear picture of what trusting Christ looks like. The story is riveting, adding interesting, unlikely events that keep you eager to find the answer. That’s high praise. Abby and Isaac’s sister Evelyn is now reading it!

ERWIN W. LUTZER, author and Pastor Emeritus, The Moody Church, Chicago

The Tree Street Kids will be one of those book series you and your kids want to read again and again. These neighborhood kids are so funny and real and engaging; they seem like they might just live next door. I loved tagging along as they tackled big adventures and grappled with real-life situations. As a Christian parent, I treasure books that tell great stories and point children to God. Yes, both things are possible, and Amanda does it well. Enjoy!

JAMIE JANOSZ, managing editor, Today in the Word; author, When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up

The 1990s kids in the Tree Street Kids series are relatable, and their challenges are things kids in the 2020s face as well. Amanda writes with curiosity, honesty, and warmth, and has created a memorable set of characters that’ll hook even reluctant readers. I’m excited that these books will make their way into a world in need of messages of faith, hope, and friendship.

MICHELLE VAN LOON, author of Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife

Jack, Midge, and the other Tree Street Kids are the neighbors you wish you had. Each chapter is filled with adventure, fun, and friendship.

MARIANNE HERING, coauthor of the Imagination Station series

© 2021 by AMANDA CLEARY EASTEP

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Although the Tree Street Kids series is set in the 1990s (with occasional references to decades prior), these books use the 2011 NIV translation when quoting Scripture.

All emphasis in Scripture has been added.

Edited by Marianne Hering

Interior Design: Erik M. Peterson and Brandi Davis

Cover and interior illustrations: Aedan Peterson

Cover design: Erik M. Peterson

Cover icon of street sign copyright © 2018 by -VICTOR- / iStock (1030917706). All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Eastep, Amanda Cleary, author.

Title: Jack vs. the tornado / Amanda Cleary Eastep.

Other titles: Jack versus the tornado

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, [2021] | Series: Tree Street Kids; 1 | Audience: Ages 8-12. | Audience: Grades 4-6. | Summary: When his parents move the family to the suburbs, ten-year-old Jack yearns to return his grandparents’ farm, but soon makes new friends--and a surprising discovery at the home of neighbor in need.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020047257 (print) | LCCN 2020047258 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802421029 (paperback) | ISBN 9780802499127 (ebook)

Subjects: CYAC: Moving, Household--Fiction. | Brothers and sisters--Fiction. | Friendship--Fiction. | Neighborliness--Fiction. | Tornadoes--Fiction. | Christian life--Fiction.

Classification: LCC PZ7.1.E258 Jac 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.E258 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047257

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047258

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CONTENTS 

1. The Worst Birthday Present Ever

2. Take Cover!

3. The Big Move

4. Jack the Pancake

5. Dad’s Surprise

6. A Neighborhood Nuisance

7. Umployed

8. A Mysterious Bump

9. Meet Ellison Henry

10. Dark and Stormy Night

11. Player 2

12. Tree Street Kids

13. Pitching Practice

14. A Major Discovery

15. Digging for Treasure

16. Spiraling Down

17. Out of Lives

18. Journey to the Center of the Yard

19. The Best Hayloft Fort

20. Saving Mr. Bruno

21. Tornado Boss

22. Game Over

23. Strange Door

24. Hook Returns

25. Team Players

26. A New Quest

Acknowledgments

Notes

1

THE WORST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER 

For my tenth birthday, I got the worst present ever.

We moved.

The day after the ice-cream cake and new gym shoes, my mom and dad packed up the farmhouse where we’d lived my whole life and kerplunked us into the suburbs of Chicago. My new town, King’s Grove, is only forty miles away from the farm. But it feels like a