Escape from...Hurricane Katrina

Gr 4-7–A set of fraternal twins find themselves in a precarious situation as Hurricane Katrina hits their home in New Orleans in 2005. Told from alternating points of view, 10-year-old JoJo and his sister Sophie take readers through three days of a harrowing ordeal. After being separated from their parents, the twins set their sights on reaching the Superdome, where they are hoping to find clean water and food. As they float in the water on their raft, they are able to help a family with a young baby. Sophie’s swimming skills are tested as she rescues the baby when it is unexpectedly pulled away from its mother into the flood waters. Once at the Superdome, the twins make friends with Luce, they are able to get medicine for Sophie’s stomachache, and are reunited with their dad. He sees their secret message and deciphers it. The family boards a bus to Austin, and for the next year they live with their cousins. Finally, in 2006, the Dupres are able to return to their renovated home in New Orleans. After every chapter, the author includes notes regarding the actual events of Hurricane Katrina in a section titled “Reality Check.” Illustrations in the text appropriately help readers visualize the events taking place.