“We’re from New Orleans, a place where hurricanes happen. But that’s only the bad side.” Renée Watson’s offers insight into the experiences of children during Hurricane Katrina in this narrative told in the voices of four fictional African American friends: Adrienne, Michael, Tommy, and Keesha. Life in their New Orleans neighborhood is about much more than hurricanes. It’s about playing hide-and-go-seek, drawing under the tree, and cooking and eating jambalaya. When Katrina hits, the four are separated and each relates what happened, from boarding up the windows and fleeing to relatives’ houses to seeking shelter at the Superdome to being rescued from rising waters at home. After fear and frustration and long months of separation they are finally reunited and participate in a healing ritual in their neighborhood that honors those who’ve come back, and those who have not. Watson’s sensitive writing, and Shadra Stickland’s soft illustrations, skillfully and tenderly present the children’s experiences in this picture book that assumes some prior knowledge of the catastrophe. (Ages 6–10)

Natural and man-made disasters are becoming more commonplace in children's lives, and this touching free-verse picture book provides a straightforward account of Hurricane Katrina. In alternating voices, four friends describe their lives before, during, and after the storm and how, even though the world can change in a heartbeat, people define the character of their community and offer one another comfort and hope even in the darkest hours.
Adrienne, Keesha, Michael, and Tommy have been friends for forever. They live on the same street--a street in New Orleans where everyone knows everybody. They play together all day long, every chance they get. It's always been that way. But then people start talking about a storm headed straight for New Orleans. The kids must part ways, since each family deals with Hurricane Katrina in a different manner. And suddenly everything that felt like home is gone.
Renée Watson's lyrical free verse is perfectly matched in Shadra Strickland's vivid mixed media art. Together they celebrate the spirit and resiliency of New Orleans, especially its children.