Hurricane Song
by Paul Volponi

    HURRICANE SONG by Paul Volponi
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  6/25/09
    Publisher:  Speak
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Miles has been living in Chicago with his mother and has recently moved to New Orleans to live with his father. His
    father left the family years ago to play jazz music. Miles knows that his father's life is his music, but when his mother
    remarried and the family in Chicago increased by three kids, he knew he had no choice. Taking a chance on his
    father seemed like the only way to go.

    So far, the two months father and son have spent together haven't been all that great. Miles is looking forward to
    playing football and maybe even making the varsity team at his new school. Unfortunately, he knows he probably
    won't see his dad at any of his games. His dad can't even remember that it's football Miles plays and not basketball.

    When news that a huge hurricane is heading toward New Orleans reaches them, Miles, his father, and his uncle pile
    into the car with the idea of heading toward Baton Rouge and higher ground. The traffic is terrible, and the car soon
    overheats, leaving them stranded on the highway. As the storm gets closer, their only option is to follow the rest of
    the evacuees to the shelter at the Superdome.

    In the several days Miles and his family spend at the Superdome, the storm batters the exterior of the massive
    building while the interior suffers from a "storm" of its own. When tired, frightened people are crowded into a facility
    not equipped to handle the situation, there are bound to be problems. In those few days, Miles experiences horribly
    unsanitary conditions, watches as thugs threaten, beat, and steal from innocent people, and sees death and suffering
    no person should ever have to witness.

    Most of us watched the drama of Katrina unfold on our TVs, but Miles's experience brings us the reality of the
    actual storm and those first days afterward. Sadly, many are still suffering and trying to recover years later. Everyone
    should read this book as a reminder that our country reacted poorly in the early stages of the disaster, and even at
    this late date, not enough has been done to help rebuild the lives of so many.