Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina

by Rodman Philbrick

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.

Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Fiction, Survival

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2014

About the author

Aka William R Dantz, Chris Jordan, W.R. Philbrick.

Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.

Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.

Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.

Reviews

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS!!!

This was such a heartbreaking yet beautiful read. I read this during a heavy wind storm in my city and though that may not be important, the way that the walls groaned and the wind howled around my house while I was reading this made me feel as if I were really immersed in the story. Hurricane Katrina was such a devastating time in history and I remember being a teenager while all of this happened and felt so heartbroken and worried for all the people it affected.

As for the story, I loved all the characters in this, especially Zane and Bandit. I almost used an entire packet of tissues reading this book and that says something. For being only 170 pages this felt longer, but in a good way. I look forward to checking out more of Rodman's books. - R.

[Monica Edinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this were very strong, particularly the vivid depiction of the setting and various events in the timeline of the hurricane and its after affects in New Orleans. And the author's research is exemplary. However, I wasn't wild about the deux ex machina woman who saved them and then the incredibly abrupt ending.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess this is historical fiction since it is set so specifically in an event which occurred in a specific time and place (although a setting that is only 9 years old isn't usually "historical").

At any rate, I recently read Buddy and it's impossible not to compare these two books: both feature a boy and his dog in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. And Zane pales in comparison. Essentially, this book was too unrealistic for me. I get that terrible things were going on in and after the flooding in New Orleans. But really? A crippled old man, a boy, and a young girl managing all that? And then, when all hope is lost, getting miraculously saved in a manner which--not to spoil it too much--was just way, way, way too convenient. And suddenly, after their salvation, we find out the mystery surrounding Zane's dad (which takes all of one paragraph or two), and then Zane is back in New Hampshire. A short chapter functions as an epilogue "one year later." Too tidy, too quick.

Not a bad read, especially if you're looking for something about life after a natural disaster. But there are better books out there.

[Barbara Benton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful book. New Englanders shouldn't write about a culture that they know nothing about.

[Janet Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was 185 pages of memories for me. I traveled with a relief aide group to Mississippi a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina and it was an unbelievable scene. At first I felt the book didn't really give life to how powerful that hurricane was. But just like in real time, none of us could truly fathom that power and immensity until we were exposed to the destruction and the aftermath. This natural disaster was such a "comedy of errors" ( the phrase really should be tragedy) with every public sector that could fail, failing spectacularly.
The heart of the book is really about the struggle of so many to survive the aftermath. It shares the story of a young boy visiting New Orleans who gets caught up in the center of the storm. He ends up throwing in with a young girl and a elderly jazz musician. Their travels and tribulations are a composite of many tragic stories from this region during this episode. Zane actually remarks on the paradox of the kindness and generosity of some and the selfish monstrousness of others. I too remember being shocked by this when I was there. For me, a Northern Midwestern girl all my life, the antiquated and ubiquitous pattern of racial segregation in the Deep South is jarring. Our relief group found that white people did NOT help black people or accept help from them, and vice versa. The story that Zane and the Hurricane tells gives a literary life to this truth.

[Phil J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freak the Mighty is voiced unforgettably by Max Kane. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is narrated with charm by the rascal Homer Figg. Zane and the Hurricane is blandly recounted by Zane, whose defining characteristic is that he likes his dog. Zane's best friend Malvina has a troubled past and an inexplicable love of puns. Bandy, the dog, is pretty much like Ribsy, Sounder, and any other kids' book dog you would care to think of.

A lot of the book was uninvolving because of these weak characters. Tru, the New Orleans musician, pulled me through. I also liked Belinda, who shows up near the end. Belinda, in particular, speaks in a distinctive, character building way that is more typical of Philbrick's other works.

Most of the story felt kind of obvious- poor people don't get a break and they feel abandoned. However, I loved the climax. It put a lot of important issues- policing, income inequality, disaster relief- into sharp focus. Some people hated the resolution, which was a trifle neat. I was okay with it because it followed a strong climax and involved a well-written character.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed all the facts and maps provided by the author and this is a story worth reading but I feel this book lacked the authors usual charm.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Zane Dupree knows very little about his deceased father's family. When his mother makes contact with his great- grandmother and sends him to visit her in New Orleans, he has no idea what faces him and his dog Bandit. Things are strange enough in the city despite how comfortable he feels with Miss Trissy, but they are about to get stranger still. After all, he arrives right before Hurricane Katrina, and Miss Trissy lives in the Ninth Ward where considerable damage was done in August 2005. The author does an admirable job of describing the hectic days before Hurricane Katrina's arrival as well as the rain, the wind, and the fast-rising waters that fill the bowl-shaped city that lies beneath the sea level. He also makes clear how the city became divided as some were willing to help others while other individuals became somewhat paranoid and unwilling to trust anyone or lend a helping hand. While the ending seems rather unlikely with the intercession of Belinda to help Mr. Tru and Malvina, that part is hard for me to buy. Still, readers will have some idea of the confusion and paranoia that suffused the area during the disaster by reading this book. Kudos to the author for not claiming to have told the definitive story of Katrina but only one of many stories from that storm.

[Johnny G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific historical fiction book (level V) and I am glad I read it. The only other HF book I've read about Hurricane Katrina is Saint Louis Armstrong Beech, and this one is a bit better. It is a higher-level book because how the characters speak is tough to understand if you are not from the South, and there are some tense life-or-death moments in the book. Not to mention that the devastation of the flooding in New Orleans lead to a lot of horrible scenes. I enjoyed the three characters (and the dog, Bandy) who were forced to work together to get through such a difficult moment in time. I had no idea that nearly HALF of the people who lived in New Orleans before the storm were GONE afterwards - they either died or lost their homes and never returned! I appreciate how the author wrote a lot of nonfiction about Katrina at the end of the book, and included a map before and after. It might be helpful to read the background BEFORE reading the fictional story.

[Tiana Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really great historical fiction book about Hurricane Katrina. I can not believe that so many people died or were left homeless. It was very devastating. That must have been a very powerful hurricane. There are many times in the story when the three main characters and a dog named Bandy could have died or gotten badly hurt. Just reading about this tragic event that happened in real life makes me feel sorry for the people who went through it. I am glad I was not born when it actually happened. It was really interesting to read about the snakes in the water and how the neighborhoods were flooded, because those kinds of things do not happen around New Jersey. By looking at the map of the path of Hurricane Katrina that the author included, I could see how the hurricane traveled to New Orleans. The book was totally awesome!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an adorable and emotional middle grade novel that will resonate, fascinate and impact my students.

It does a great job of capturing the chaos and horrid conditions during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

Zane is lovable from the start with his loyalty to his dog, Bandit, and his honesty that oozes from the first page.

Malvinas will steal your heart immediately and you'll be cheering this pair on as they try to navigate the horrors of New Orleans.

I found it to be entertaining and thoughtful, a solid three stars. It lacks the depth of Crenshaw or Sara Lost and Found to make it much higher than this for my top middle grade books.

But great for kids and worth the read.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great, quick read that addresses the horrors and frightening events of Hurricane Katrina in a way that is appropriate for young readers. Zane, visiting New Orleans from New Hampshire, encounters things like death, racism, and violence for the first time and learns about what it means to be brave. This would make a great read-aloud for teachers looking for Katrina or disaster themed books, and a is an excellent choice for students looking for contemporary adventure.

[Myrn🩶 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fiction book with real facts of Hurricane Katrina. This book is aimed for a much younger audience but I throughly enjoyed it.

[Yanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane is in great danger. It all started on a hot day, in summer in New Hampshire. Zane Dupree (a twelve-year-old boy) and Bandit or Bandy (Zane's dog) were playing together. When Zane entered the house, he found his mother sitting in a chair and crying because she discovered one of Zane's relatives on his dad's side. It was a happy thing because his dad passed away before Zane was born, and they actually located one of his dad's long-lost relatives. This person was Zane's great-grandmother. Her name is Beatrice Jackson, but people call her Miss Trissy. She has raised most of Zane's dad. She lives in New Orleans, Louisana. So, Zane's mom told him that he is going to visit Miss Trissy. Unfortunately, when Zane's mother told him that he could not go with his dog, he said, "Totally no way!" and "Never!" Furthermore, his mother can not come with him to New Orleans because she needs to go to her job. She can not be absent. Finally, Zane and his mother found an agreement: if Miss Trissy let him bring Bandy, he can visit her for the last week of vacations. Miss Trissy was waiting for Zane at the front of the airport. Then, they directly went to her house which looks like a museum! There are glass figurines that Miss Trissy's mother collected. There is a bowling trophy on the top of the TV set from Miss Trissy's second husband. There are also old framed pictures on the wall. Everything went all right until they said in the news that there was a hurricane approaching New Orleans. Its name was Hurricane Katrina. Zane was a bit tenser now, but Miss Trissy tried to reassure him. After that, Zane's mother called and told him that she and Miss Trissy are going to come back to New Hampshire. He was happy to come back to his house. So, he packed his luggage and helped his great-grandmother get prepared. The next morning, there was bad news. Zane's mother called again to tell him that their flight got canceled because of the weather. Zane had a lump in his throat after this, but Miss Trissy said, "Here's what we gone do. Tomorrow morning we go to church and see what da Lawd provide."(page #20) So, it was Sunday, and they both went to the church. After they had done the prayer, they said the hurricane was one day in advance then predicted. Therefore, the pastor said that Zane, Bandy, and Miss Trissy must go with them into what they call the "church bus." Unfortunately, everybody in New Orleans is stuck on the same highway. Everything was going all right until Bandy freaks out because Dobermans are barking just next to him in a big black SUV. After that, all happens within a second. Bandy freaks out and then jumps out of the window of the bus and starts running through the highway in the opposite direction. So, Zane got out of the bus, and he started running after Bandy. Then, they started to approach Miss Trissy's house. After that, he entered the house and slept. The next day, there was lots of wind and... the hurricane arrived! Zane directly went to the attic and waited for hours until the hurricane stopped rising. Then, he heard people arriving. Bandy barked, and they heard him. The people helped Zane and Bandy out of the house. Their names were Tru (a man) and Malvina (a girl). For all of them, their goal was to reach dry land.

The specific themes the author emphasizes through the novel are friendship and survival. I chose friendship because Zane relies on Bandy and Bandy relies on Zane from the start of the story. They are a solid friendship. The idea the author is trying to get across to the reader is that when there is friendship, everything can happen. For example, in the story, when Bandy got shot, Zane helped him survive until a doctor came. Another example from the story could be when Zane was about to get shot, Bandy went and tried to bit an officer's ankle. I also chose survival because, throughout the story, the characters all need to survive New Orleans in all of these conditions. The idea the author is trying to get across to the reader in this theme is that when you are with other people, and you need to survive something, the best way is to do teamwork. Remember two brains are better than one. There is one setting of the book that is unique which is the hurricane. After the hurricane was finished, all New Orleans is flooded. It enhanced the story by adding this touch of unique to the story. In other words, in addition to New Orleans flooding, trees are floating, marine animals living in the water, and seeing the sun's reflection in the water. All of this makes the setting almost alive! Yes, I loved this book! I think this is one of my favorite books! No, I have not yet read other books of Rodman Philbrick, but I think I would like to read, "Nine Levels Down" which is a book also written by the author Rodman Philbrick. In the story, "Zane and the Hurricane" I feel that there are nice and mean characters. The characters that are listed below are nice because they are friendly and helpful towards Zane and Bandy. They are Zane's mother, Miss Trissy, Tru, Malvina, Belinda (Tru's cousin), and the pastor. The characters that are listed below are mean because they had done everything to stop Zane, Tru, Malvina, and Bandy. They are the guys at the school, the cops with the helicopter, and the officers at the tollbooth next to Algiers. I think the ending is wonderful because Bandy recovers from his wounds and his leg and most importantly the group found dry land! In conclusion, there are lots of things to discover.

In my opinion, "Zane and the Hurricane" is a book that makes you wonder and get more tense throughout the story. It is also an adventurous book that takes you to conditions you have never experienced. My favorite part of the book is when Tru and Malvina rescued Zane and Bandy. My least favorite part of the book is when the cops shot Bandy. I was unhappy at that moment. I would recommend this book to children that are from nine to twelve-year-old boys and girls who appreciate fiction and adventure books. I said this because they need to know what does danger really mean, and they also need to be patient meaning that the book sometimes turns around an event and creates suspense that the reader must accept. Finally, "Zane and the Hurricane is a fantastic book with lots of new conditions!

[SarahC]

This was a very interesting read. This is the story of a biracial boy named Zane and his dog from New Hampshire who visit his great-grandmother precisely at the time that Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans. I read this book for a diverse children's literature assignment. The culture of New Orleans and the cultural/ethnic differences between Zane's upbringing and that of his great-grandmother and deceased father highlight a story of survival against ridiculous odds. And while it was such serious subject matter, the story was told in a humorous, light tone, making it a fun read as well as a meaningful one.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times, it was so compelling that I couldn’t get the images out of my mind and laid awake at night thinking about it. (That was probably the stuff based on historical truths.) At others times, the characters felt oddly flat and the plot seemed rushed and unsatisfying. (The fiction part.) I left the book with more questions, which I’m not sure is an entirely good thing.

[plumcrazybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought that this was a well written story. It would make an awesome read-aloud for older children (5th grade and up). Of course I would want to be aware of those students who may have family in that area.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was good, deep, and sad. The writing style wasn’t my favorite, but I learned so much about Hurricane Katrina and the people who lived in New Orleans. (Read all of the notes at the end of the book.)
I requested this one from the library to fulfill my personal A-Z in 2023 title challenge for Z.

[Cristina Ferraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my family’s book club. For this being a book for around middle school age, I thought this was a good story! Especially as it relates to a devastating time of Hurricane Katrina. I enjoyed the narrator I listened to as well, he made the story very enjoyable. Historical fiction is usually not my go-to genre, but I was pleasantly surprised with this book.

[Brandon O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, a gut punch that you know is coming. Some of the happenings in the aftermath of Katrina still boggle the mind. People are strange.

[Lauren Panella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel tells the heart wrenching story of the catastrophe that Hurricane Katrina inflicted upon the residents of Louisiana. While reading this story, I found myself becoming increasingly educated on the details (which kept me extremely eager while turning pages) of the historical event and even emotionally invested in the lives of the characters. I believe this would be a great book for 4th or 5th grade students to learn about a very significant natural disaster in U.S. history through intricate details and an engaging storyline. He incorporates a map of New Orleans, which truly helps the reader to imagine the magnitude of the devastation. Not only this, but Rodman Philbrick incorporates a multitude of themes such as family, courage, and my favorite-- hope. I would love to use this with my students to get them working on out-of-the-box activities. For example, I would have students act out scenes from the story, write newspaper articles/news reports as if they were a reporter during this disaster, or other activities like that! There are so many possibilities for allowing students to expand their creativity and get excited about ELA activities.

[Kari]

A good plot-driven story for earlier middle schoolers. Lots of discussion possible on handling situations, putting yourself in others' shoes, and determining what drives individuals to particular actions and decisions.

[Avery Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye-opening glimpse into what is was like to go through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Realistic characters, plot points, and descriptions. Also, had an interesting interview with the author and facts at the end of the audiobook. Good book for learning what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes.

[John Papeika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, very quick read. Makes me want to find a more in depth, non-fiction account.

[Grace Duffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane and the Hurricane was an inspiring book. It is based on a true event and things like this could have happened at that time. Zane is just an ordinary boy that got stuck in and unordinary event. This hurricane effected a lot of people and families and n this book Zane and his new friends, Malvina and Tru, were lucky to survive.
I thought this book is very detailed and inspiring. I enjoyed reading about an intense and crazy story. This is very realistic and things like this happened in real life to real people. I almost felt like I was in the Hurricane myself!
Everyone she us read this book. It is a middle grades book and is not too long. I enjoyed doing a project on it too so it would be good for all school occasions. This is why I think Zane and the Hurricane is a n amazing book everyone should read.

[Gabriel Kuhnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel kuhnert
9-8-14
Per 4
ZANE AND THE HURRICANE

This story Zane and the hurricane starts off with a boy named Zane going to a city called Smelly Ville. Zane is going to smelly Ville with his dog. Zane had prove to his mom that he is capital of taking care of a dog by getting some books from the library getting all a’s and clean his room. When Zane gets to smelly Ville a very old lady is there. The old lady takes Zane and the dog with her to her house. A storm is about to hit smelly Ville which will cause lots of damage Zane tried to call his mom but cell won’t go through. I read this book because its very interesting. Zane can’t go home because all the flights are cancelled. The old lady is getting very scared. Then they go to church the next morning. The person in the church said that they have to evacuate. When Zane gets in the car his dog jumps out then Zane goes after his dog. Zane finds his dog in a house but the storm hits smelly Ville. Zane sees some people in a canoe and calls for help. Zane gets let in the canoe by a girl. They go to the rich people houses and theirs guards. A person gives them a bag of food and water. My favorite part in this book is when Zane's dog survives Zane tries to call his mom but there are no cell waves. Then they find a neighborhood with guards no letting them in. One of the guards shoots Zane’s dog. Zane’s mom calls him to stay where he is. Zane’s mom takes Zane and his dog home. My favorite part in this book is when Zane and his dog go home. I thought this books ending was good because Zane and his dog went home. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventurers in a book. In my opinion i liked this book.

[Chamdyn F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a boy named Zane with a dog named Bandy who got caught in hurricane Katrina. This book was full of suspense and even had a little bit of humor in it. It is also action packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to keep reading it. I really enjoyed reading this book and i really enjoyed the act of bravery Zane and his dog, Bandit showed to help people get to a safe place in the storm.
My favorite character in the the book was Bandit. He was so cute and cheerful, even though he almost got Zane killed in the storm! What I loved about this story is that this storm that happened in the story actually happened in real life. There were also many people in real life who helped people out during Hurricane Katrina just like Zane and Bandit did in the story. My favorite part of the book was at the the end when he described what the city was like after Hurricane Katrina had hit it. It was so different at the end than it was at the beginning. It was a sad to see how much the town got destroyed at the end. The book had a mix of both humor and sadness.The only bad thing i would say about this book is that it focused to much on Zane and not the other characters especially Bandit. I think if you like stories about acts of bravery i would recommend this book to you.

[Christina Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but a very powerful story. Zane Dupree lives in New Hampshire, but travels to New Orleans to visit his great-grandmother. Unbeknownst to him, Hurricane Katrina is making its way across the gulf, and mandatory evacuations are starting to be enforced. While fleeing the city, Zane's dog, Bandit, escapes the vehicle they are in, and Zane decides to chase after him. After making their way back to his great-grandmother's house, Katrina eventually makes landfall, the levees break, and Zane and Bandit are stranded on the roof of the house. After being rescued by Mr. Tru and Malvina in a canoe, Zane and his new friends begin their search for food and shelter amidst a drowning city. Zane's story is not true, but based on facts following Hurricane Katrina. This is a wonderfully written story, with lots of that New Awlins voice, and challenges around every bend. Makes me want to read more stories about this horrific natural disaster!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly wonderful modern day survival/adventure story. The elements are difficult enough to battle, but of course what really makes this survival story both difficult and uplifting are the people encountered along the way.

There's no heavy-handedness in the lessons and observations here, which make them seem all the more realistic and trenchant. Zane's understanding - of the south, of the situation, of the people he meets, of himself - is revealed through action and quiet observation.

I was so worried about 2 of the characters for the last third of the book. When some real business went down, my heart was breaking. Luckily, things turned out better than anticipated. I was invested in the characters and loved the pacing.

[Melissapalmer404 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #31 Read in 2015
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick (YA)

This is a quick read about Hurricane Katrina that middle school and high school students, both boys and girls, would enjoy. Zane travels to New Orleans to meet his newly found great-grandmother. Hurricane Katrina hits and Zane, along with his dog Bandy, are separated from his great-grandmother. He meets up with an odd pair, musician Tru and young Malvina, and the trio (plus Bandy) try to reach safe, dry land. While the plot has enough action to keep readers engaged, it also details the devastation that this natural disaster brought upon the area.

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