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livrad's review against another edition
3.0
This is my second Rhodes book, and I'm about to move onto my third, despite some of my issues with her writing. All of her characters seem years younger and less mature than their ages would suggest. The lead character of Ninth Ward is 12, yet she acts much more like she is 7 or 8. There are definitely kids who are young for their age, but this is the second time I've asked myself, "Has the author ever met a kid this age?"
One of the things that contributes to this is the very simplistic inner monologue of the character. Lanesha rarely has deep thoughts and often states the obvious. It does a discredit to kids reading the book, as if they themselves are incapable of intelligent thought or comprehension.
The themes of the book are muddled as well. The book tries to be too much, bringing in magical realism and ghosts, the events occuring at the Ninth Ward, and an undeveloped nod to the Superdome. It means that none of the elements was able to be well done. I tried to read into the ghost bit as an expression of New Orleans spirituality and a flavor of its culture, but Lanesha's interactions with ghosts take away from a story that could have been a powerful testament to what kids experienced during Katrina.
One of the things that contributes to this is the very simplistic inner monologue of the character. Lanesha rarely has deep thoughts and often states the obvious. It does a discredit to kids reading the book, as if they themselves are incapable of intelligent thought or comprehension.
The themes of the book are muddled as well. The book tries to be too much, bringing in magical realism and ghosts, the events occuring at the Ninth Ward, and an undeveloped nod to the Superdome. It means that none of the elements was able to be well done. I tried to read into the ghost bit as an expression of New Orleans spirituality and a flavor of its culture, but Lanesha's interactions with ghosts take away from a story that could have been a powerful testament to what kids experienced during Katrina.
readertz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful story about Hurricane Katrina. It had a bit of fantasy, but mostly the story focused on the tragedy of a girl and her mama caught in the horrible storm and flood that devastated the city of New Orleans. It was a great read!
jlove731's review against another edition
3.0
Ninth Ward was just okay to me. Yes, it was dramatic and a scary retelling of Hurricane Katrina told by a young girl, but that's all it was to me. I couldn't find myself really getting into the story or relating to the characters. The writing isn't horrible, but it is very young so prepare yourself for that. Or use it for an appropriate age.
I had to read this for school and that's all it was to me unfortunately.
I had to read this for school and that's all it was to me unfortunately.
siennablakely's review against another edition
4.0
Ninth Ward follows Lanesha, a young girl who lives in the Ninth Ward with Mama Ya-Ya, her caretaker. When Mama Ya-Ya's visions are known to predict the future, and when they begin to show a hurricane coming, they both have to do what it takes to survive. Ninth Ward details the events that happened during Hurricane Katrina from Lanesha's perspective and shows the strength of the community during hardships. Ninth Ward follows Lanesha, Mama Ya-Ya, TaShon, and their journey to survive the hurricane. It is a story of not only survival but the strength that it takes to keep moving forward in the face of disaster. Ninth Ward also gives a new meaning to the found family tropes that are seen in children’s novels and in this, it helps make the story much more complex.
Personally, I enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the symbolism for the butterfly and magnolias were well executed throughout the novel. Lanesha's character development was another aspect that I liked reading. She goes from a young girl who doubts herself and she doesn't have many friends, but that changes throughout the story. While I do wish that we could have found out what had happened after the book, I still thought it was a great read.
Personally, I enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the symbolism for the butterfly and magnolias were well executed throughout the novel. Lanesha's character development was another aspect that I liked reading. She goes from a young girl who doubts herself and she doesn't have many friends, but that changes throughout the story. While I do wish that we could have found out what had happened after the book, I still thought it was a great read.
flantattoo's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Lanesha lives with Mama Ya-Ya, a local midwife, who adopted Lanesha after her mother died in childbirth. The two live in the Ninth Ward, an impoverished part of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina is looming, but no one really knows the extant of the storm ahead. Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya are in the fight of their lives.
This novel was beautifully written. I loved the characters. I thought it was an interesting presentation of this American tragedy.
This novel was beautifully written. I loved the characters. I thought it was an interesting presentation of this American tragedy.
misscalije's review against another edition
5.0
Kanye West said it best.
I’d love to see this made into a movie. The emotional depth that a visual of the historic ghosts would play into the implied generational racism that caused this perfect storm…it’s deep.
I’d love to see this made into a movie. The emotional depth that a visual of the historic ghosts would play into the implied generational racism that caused this perfect storm…it’s deep.
loffy81's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I felt the build-up of the storm and aftermath played a very small roll.
krisn's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25