Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina - Hardcover

Philbrick, Rodman

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545342384 ISBN 13: 9780545342384

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press, 2014

Synopsis

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.

Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances.

About this title

About the Author

Rodman Philbrick’s most recent novel, THE MOSTLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF HOMER P. FIGG, received numerous awards and was chosen as a Newbery Honor Book. His first book for young readers, FREAK THE MIGHTY, was an immediate bestseller and continues to be a classic, with close to three million copies in print. His highly acclaimed titles include THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SEA; THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE; and THE FIRE PONY. Philbrick divides his time between Maine and Florida. Visit him at www.rodmanphilbrick.com.

Reviews

Gr 5–8—A boy's visit to meet his great-grandmother for the first time turns into a nightmare when Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans. Twelve-year-old Zane has not known many family members other than his mother; after she makes contact with his deceased father's grandmother, Zane travels to the oppressively humid city. When New Orleans is placed under a mandatory evacuation, Zane and his great-grandmother leave with his dog, Bandy, and her pastor; when Bandy is spooked by growling Dobermans, he leaps from the car, followed by Zane. Zane and Bandy endure the hurricane's landfall and the failure of the levees at his great-grandmother's house until they meet a young girl, Malvina, and her guardian, Tru. The trio canoes through the snake-infested waters seeking assistance. Arriving in a neighborhood protected by privately hired security forces leads to vicious threats from the armed guards, who are loading helicopters stuffed with rugs and other expensive items. After their canoe is stolen, they head to the chaos of the Superdome and eventually to a bridge connecting the city to Algiers, in which they hope to find Tru's cousin. Vivid descriptions of the toxic waters, the commotion at the Superdome, and racial tension are handled factually yet sensitively. Information about unique New Orleans customs, including "jazz funerals," its history of biracialism, and accents are occasionally inserted. The fast bond among Zane, Malvina, and Tru is believably drawn. A time line and facts about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are included.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

Thirteen-year-old Zane Dupree and his trusted dog, Bandy, travel from their home in New Hampshire to New Orleans to visit his great-grandmother, Miss Trissy, the only link to the father who died before he was born. But almost as soon as they arrive, they are caught up in the turmoil of Hurricane Katrina, separated from family, and left on their own to survive. The pair weathers the storm in Miss Trissy’s attic, and they are rescued, via canoe, by Mr. Tru, a celebrated brass player, and his young charge, Malvina, with a story of her own. Together they face difficulties both natural and human, from terrifying swirls of snakes in the putrid floodwater to organized militia “protecting” affluent neighborhoods from looters. Philbrick examines issues of race and class with a deft hand (Zane is of mixed race himself), letting the story unfold directly and leaving moralizing to the reader. Though the convenience of a few plot points strains credibility, the tight prose, harrowing pace, and resonant relationships will appeal to a broad audience. Grades 5-8. --Thom Barthelmess

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Over the screaming wind a shrill, stuttering kind of noise comes from the street. Sounds almost like crazy laughter, rising and falling, falling and rising. Finally I can't stand it anymore and crawl over to the broken window to have a look. The crazy noise is coming from a stop sign at the corner of the street. The wind makes the sign quiver violently and bend almost to the ground, but the sign keeps popping back up, as if trying to shake off the great force of the hurricane. That's sort of how I feel, like that stop sign, quivering inside but fighting back. The noises the hurricane makes are like nothing I've ever heard before: The shriek of roof shingles exploding into the sky like flocks of frightened birds. Metal screaming as if in pain. Ripped-apart trees rising in a whirl, like ingredients in a giant blender. The eerie SNAP! and PING! as phone lines and power lines break away from the poles, uncoiling against the wet ground like giant whips. The hurricane keeps on coming. On and on it roars by like an insane train that never seems to end. Bandy keeps licking at my hand. He thinks if he's a good-enough dog I'll make it stop. I hug him closer.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545342384
• ISBN 13: 9780545342384
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192