Excellent Katrina story. Quick read with short chapters and a fast paced plot -- really enjoyed it. I think what I enjoyed the most was the portrayal of New Orleans' culture through the people that Zane interacts with. You get this incredible sense of community and history and the importance of family through Miss Trissy and Tru and Malvina, None of them have easy stories, or lives without struggle, but they are an amazing example of endurance in a hard life -- and I love the beautiful moments that they have too -- Miss Trissy singing in church, Tru playing in the Processions, Malvina cracking endless jokes and dancing in the second line. Vivid, lovely and caring.

Now, the hard stuff, because oh yeah, this is a hard read --the description of storm and the floodwaters rising, snakes in the water, the lack of help on the ground, the terrifying armed response of the white police trying to prevent people coming into safe neighborhoods, the floating bodies and the filth and smell at the superdome. Gun violence, violence against pets, frightening experiences with a drug dealer -- there's a lot in here. In part, that's what makes it such a great read, but as an adult it just makes the horror of how badly the US failed New Orleans the more heartbreaking.

I've seen the reviews that are frustrated with the swift wrap-up/ending, but I think weirder things happen in the unreality of disaster, and given how the story was going, it worked ok for me. ( )

Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina by Rodman Philbrick
Genre: Middle Grades, Historical Fiction
Source: I own the book

After years and years of reading I am finally able to say that I lean toward books that area about disasters, survival and are emotional. I’ve realized recently that no matter what the genre those are some of the things the books all have in common. This book is no different. Zane and his dog go to visit his great-grandmother in New Orleans. As Hurricane Katrina heads toward them, they evacuate. Then Zane and his dog are separated from his great-grandmother. He makes his way back to her house where he waits out the storm in her house. Trapped in the attic he is rescued by Mr. Tru and Malvina. From here the story is about survival. The author has done a lot of research to show what it was like during the aftermath of the hurricane. He doesn’t shy away from the racial or political atrocities the people of New Orleans faced. This is what makes this such a valuable read. Kids need to read, understand and discuss matters such as this book brings about. I would highly recommend it. ( )

RGG: Strong characters, a loveable dog (that doesn't die!), and (non-didactic) insights into how racism affected folx of color. Reading Interest: 10-12

This is a fantastic read for about 5th-6th graders—there are some tough topics for kids too much younger—to learn what is was like for survivors from Hurricane Katrina and the flooding in NOLA. I think it is a worthwhile read for adults, too. An excellent reminder of the need for empathy. Very well written with likable characters. ( )

This book is a great book. I relate to this book a lot because I went through Hurricane Katrina. The wording and text are not complicated, however they are very suspenseful. I like how he compares different materials to realistic feelings. I think this would be a good book for young adults to read because it may challenge them a little. The pages are not very long and I stayed interested in the book the whole time. ( )