Young Survivors of Major Hurricane
Ninth Ward
Working together as a team through difficult times creates bonds that will last a lifetime.
In the book, two kids, Lanesha and TaShon, work as a team to survive Hurricane Katrina, going through incredible hardships together.
Hurricane Katrina
"The weatherman says, 'Katrina is headed directly for New Orleans. If you haven't gotten out, buckle down. It's going to be a wild ride. Perhaps devastating (page 127).'" Hurricane Katrina is the main event in the book, shaping the protagonists and making them stronger.
Teamwork
On page 203, Lanesha says to TaShon, "'... Pick up the trunk, TaShon. Pick it up. I can't do this without you.'" Lanesha and TaShon have to work together in order to get the boat unstuck and to survive the hurricane. They have to do what they've never done before to survive, and that requires a lot of perseverance.
Strength
"8+4=12. Spiritual strength. Real strength, Lanesha. Like butterflies (page 178)." Mama Ya-Ya always talks symbols, that everything in the world is a symbol foor something. Butterflies are strong, even though people perceive them as delicate creatures. the number twelve means strength; Lanesha is twelve years old. This is how she finds the hope to try as hard as she can to survive the storm with TaShon and to never give up no matter what they faced.
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Email: jewelry8412@jewelparkerrhodes.com
Website: jewellparkerrhodes.com
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (201)098-4128
Facebook: Facebook.com/jewelryroads
Twitter: @twitter_jewelrypark