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wintermomof4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
heathero621's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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
3.5
I thought that this book was a good intro into Hurricane Katrina for younger kids. That being said, I have read more books about what happened during Hurricane Katrina and I felt like this book needed more to it. I didn't feel like the direness of what was happening was presented very well and that may be because it's a middle grade book. I liked the characters and there were some points in the book that I thought gave a sense of how it was for many people there. I'm really glad the dog didn't die! I would've liked to also know more about what happened Lanesha after all was said and done.
lalanier's review against another edition
4.0
Found it to be a good story for an audience of young readers, and anyone really. It deals with the realities for many children in a way that doesn't hide some of the harshness of childhood. I found heartwarming, and from a sincere place. Lanesha is a wonderfully written character and I appreciate that these kinds of works exist for our youth.
solo_shelf's review
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nrdespain's review against another edition
1.0
I read this for a book club. I wasn't excited when it got chosen and I didn't like it. It was a quick read, though. It took me an hour and a half.
It's a children's book and I don't really like kids lit. The whole flood scene was confusing and I couldn't picture how it happened. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and wasn't invested in their story.
It's a children's book and I don't really like kids lit. The whole flood scene was confusing and I couldn't picture how it happened. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and wasn't invested in their story.
julesfreak's review against another edition
4.0
While the writing style seems suited to a 5th or 6th grader, the content makes this more suitable for older (or at least more emotionally mature) kids. Lanesha's ability to see ghosts seemed contrived and unnecessary, but otherwise I was enthralled with her. She's a rich character and experiencing Hurricane Katrina with her was intense.
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
3.0
A little bit Fancy Nancy with her frequently using larger vocabulary words than the reader should
know and defining them, a little bit supernatural, and a little bit historical fiction come together to make a decent story about the Ninth Ward in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. A good story of resilience and overcoming obstacles.
know and defining them, a little bit supernatural, and a little bit historical fiction come together to make a decent story about the Ninth Ward in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. A good story of resilience and overcoming obstacles.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Ninth Ward is a good book for younger readers who may not quite remember the aftermath of Katrina in the detail that older readers will.
The story is told by Lanesha, who is smart, strange and orphaned; Mama Ya-Ya, her grandmother, is raising her in the Ninth Ward because her Uptown family has (apparently) disowned her. Lanesha's good at math, but because she sees things (as does Mama Ya-Ya), other students don't want to know her.
That starts to change in the lead-up to the Hurricane, when TaShon asks (begs) her to care for Spot, his not-German Shepard puppy, and when Ginia offers to come shopping for supplies with her. This momentary happiness is, of course, cut short by the evacuation, the storm and the rupturing of the levees that came in Katrina's wake. TaShon, Mama Ya-Ya, Spot and Lanesha take refuge in the attic, but soon that's not enough - Mama Ya-Ya dies, and the three others escape onto the roof and finally via a rowboat.
The descriptions of life in the Ninth Ward are vivid, as are the emotions Lanesha has during the ten days the book covers.
ARC provided by publisher.
The story is told by Lanesha, who is smart, strange and orphaned; Mama Ya-Ya, her grandmother, is raising her in the Ninth Ward because her Uptown family has (apparently) disowned her. Lanesha's good at math, but because she sees things (as does Mama Ya-Ya), other students don't want to know her.
That starts to change in the lead-up to the Hurricane, when TaShon asks (begs) her to care for Spot, his not-German Shepard puppy, and when Ginia offers to come shopping for supplies with her. This momentary happiness is, of course, cut short by the evacuation, the storm and the rupturing of the levees that came in Katrina's wake. TaShon, Mama Ya-Ya, Spot and Lanesha take refuge in the attic, but soon that's not enough - Mama Ya-Ya dies, and the three others escape onto the roof and finally via a rowboat.
The descriptions of life in the Ninth Ward are vivid, as are the emotions Lanesha has during the ten days the book covers.
ARC provided by publisher.
bross_shelly's review against another edition
Really good easy read, and kept my attention the whole time. This will be a good one for my students.