I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 (I Survived Series #3)

by Lauren Tarshis

Overview

The horror of Hurricane Katrina is brought vividly to life in this fictional account of a boy, a dog, and the storm of the century.

Barry's family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans. But when Barry's little sister gets terribly sick, they're forced to stay home and wait out the storm.

At first, Katrina doesn't seem to be as bad as predicted. But overnight the levees break, and Barry's world is literally torn apart. He's swept away by the floodwaters, away from his family. Can he survive the storm of the century -- alone?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545206969
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Series:	I Survived Series
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	2,176
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Lauren Tarshis is the editor of Scholastic’s Storyworks magazine and group editorial director for language arts for Scholastic classroom magazines, in addition to being the author of the I Survived series and the critically acclaimed novels Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love. She lives in Westport, Connecticut, and can be found online at www.laurentarshis.com.

Editorial Reviews

Both reluctant and eager readers may indeed choose this book because of its cover (by Steve Stone): intense and imminent danger confront a terrified boy and his dog as the jagged remains of a house come rushing toward them in the water. The story inside won't disappoint. This title in the "I Survived" series offers fast dialogue, faster action, threats—not only from Hurricane Katrina but a neighborhood bully and his "killer" dog—and the compelling example of a boy who finds strength and courage he never knew he had. Readers are pulled along with 11 year old Barry Tucker's family as the water rises in the Lower Ninth ward of New Orleans. Should they try to stick it out or leave town? Once they leave, should they return home because Barry's little sister is so sick and the line of cars so long? And what about that jagged house crashing through the water toward Barry? There are heroes and heroines in this fictional account just as there were during the real hurricane. There are several pages of interesting facts about Hurricane Katrina, as well as an author's note posing questions without an answer: why wasn't more done to make the levees stronger? Why was help so slow to arrive? The questions are valid but teachers or parents may need to help young readers discuss possible answers and relate the situation to their own lives. Other titles in the "I Survived" series include The Sinking of The Titanic, 1912 and The Shark Attacks of 1916. Reviewer: Karen Leggett

Children's Literature - Karen Leggett

Tarshis (I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912, 2010, etc.) again transforms a historical event into a fast-paced adventure story appropriate for lower elementary students. This tale begins on that fateful day, Monday, August 29, 2005. Eleven-year old Bobby Tucker is hanging on to an oak tree trying to survive the floodwaters in the Lower Ninth Ward. After the dramatic opening scene, readers are taken back one day in time, to August 28. Life in the Lower Ninth is humming along as usual that day—Bobby and his friend Jay excitedly planning to send in an entry to a nationwide Create a Superhero contest—until evacuation orders convince Bobby's family to head of town. Unfortunately, Bobby's little sister gets so ill that the family has to return home and try to ride out the storm. The author's research and respect for the survivors of Katrina make this a realistic and gripping account that steers clear of sensationalism and sentimentality. Following the main text are "After the Storm: Questions about Katrina" and "Facts about Hurricane Katrina," both ideal for setting young readers who have been enthralled by Bobby's story on a path to discovering more about the true story of Katrina and its aftermath. (Historical fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews - Kikus Reviews

Tarshis (I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912, 2010, etc.) again transforms a historical event into a fast-paced adventure story appropriate for lower elementary students. This tale begins on that fateful day, Monday, August 29, 2005. Eleven-year old Bobby Tucker is hanging on to an oak tree trying to survive the floodwaters in the Lower Ninth Ward. After the dramatic opening scene, readers are taken back one day in time, to August 28. Life in the Lower Ninth is humming along as usual that day—Bobby and his friend Jay excitedly planning to send in an entry to a nationwide Create a Superhero contest—until evacuation orders convince Bobby's family to head of town. Unfortunately, Bobby's little sister gets so ill that the family has to return home and try to ride out the storm. The author's research and respect for the survivors of Katrina make this a realistic and gripping account that steers clear of sensationalism and sentimentality. Following the main text are "After the Storm: Questions about Katrina" and "Facts about Hurricane Katrina," both ideal for setting young readers who have been enthralled by Bobby's story on a path to discovering more about the true story of Katrina and its aftermath. (Historical fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews