Zane and the Hurricane

Zane and the Hurricane: a Story of Katrina, by Rodman Philbrick. Scholastic, 2014, 181 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 11-12
Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12)

Zane does not want to spend a couple of weeks in New Orleans—Smellyville, he dubs it—but his mom has just discovered an almost-relative of his late father there and insists he must take this opportunity to learn about his heritage before it’s too late. At least he can take his dog Bandit along. As it turns out, he likes the long-lost relative, Miss Trissy, a lot.  Since she raised his father and Uncle James almost from babyhood, she can unlock this hidden chapter in Zane’s life. But after church on Sunday, Pastor Daniels tells everybody it’s time to get out of town, now, ahead of the hurricane. Creeping along Highway 10 in the church van, Bandit catches a whiff of Doberman in the opposite vehicle, and he’s off like a shot back to the threatened city. Zane pops out of the van before anyone can stop him and ends up chasing his dog all the way back to the fifth ward, just before the storm hits. Creeping out afterward, Zane finds himself in an unrecognizable city, surrounded by brown stinky water. Then salvation appears, in the form of a canoe paddled by an old man wearing a tall feathered hat, with a feisty girl in the bow.

The next few days are fraught with danger from snaky waters and sneaky people and the kind of distrust and unease left when order breaks down. It’s a harrowing journey, but I think the balance between ugliness and valor is about right. Humor, quiet courage, and persistence leaven the despair while spot-on dialogue and likeable characters make the journey worthwhile.

Worldview/moral value: 4.5 (out of 5)

Literary Value: 5

Cautions: intense situations, mild profanity
Audience: independent readers, boys, teachers, reluctant readers
Recommended use: point of view, discussion starter, history enrichment, entertainment
Awards: WORLD Children’s Book of the Year honorable mention