Gr 9 Up-Frustrated by her parents' constant arguing and fearful about their probable reactions to her plummeting grades and likely pregnancy, Allie runs away with her friend Razz, who goes on tour as a competitive skateboarder. Her escape, however, is brief. After Razz wins a major competition, the teens must return to their hometown so that he can do an interview with local reporters. Worse troubles loom overhead when a tornado devastates Allie's neighborhood and destroys her house. She makes her way through the wreckage, attempting to find her parents, and in the process finds strength she never knew she had. Death Wind is a fast-paced, exciting work, but it offers little beyond the surface. Characters remain shallow, and problems are resolved easily. The mood, however, remains tense and readers are kept enough on edge to see the story through to the end. Reluctant readers interested in skateboarding may be drawn to it, but they'll probably forget it soon after they read it. A secondary purchase. Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library, KY