One feature of this text I like is that, while telling the story of the hurricane, the author chose to intermix fact boxes about other things related to hurricanes. For instance, one fact box talks about how hurricanes are rated. Another one talks about how hurricanes are named. This gives the reader even more information about hurricanes in general. Another feature I liked about the book are the informative illustrations. It was a very interesting choice to include illustrations instead of photographs, but that was probably for the best. In order to keep the book child friendly, actual photographs may have been a little to graphic for young readers. The detailed black and white illustrations, however, provide a more-than-adequate visual for the students. The big message could be to show the power of human beings even in the face of extreme natural disasters. ( )

I find it easier to work through difficult issues through books so I was impressed when my son picked out out this history of Hurricane Katrina written for children. The book does a good job of setting up the history of New Orleans' location and the necessity of levees as well as a primer on hurricanes and other storms. The details about the storm and the flooding are clear and not sugar-coated (without being overly graphic) and it does not shy away from the poor decisions of political leaders. There is also a chapter on the role that climate change played in the disaster. All in all it's a good introduction for children to one of the great tragedies of recent years, but something that may seem a long time ago to them. ( )