Hurricane Song

by Paul Volponi

Hurricane Katrina is raging and you are inside the Superdome! Miles has only lived in New Orleans with his dad, a musician, for a few months when Hurricane Katrina hits. Father and son haven't exactly been getting along. Miles is obsessed with football; his dad's passion is jazz. But when the storm strikes, they're forced to work through their differences to survive a torturous few days in the Superdome.

Paul Volponi, known for writing books that capture the pulse of urban life in New York City, creates a gripping hour-by-hour portrayal of what life was like for those left behind once the floodwaters began to rise.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Teen, Realistic Fiction, Survival, Audiobook, Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2008

Reviews

[Bant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can say this was a bad book. It had me quite intrigued. But Volponi's writing is bad. Really bad. He's out of touch 15 years ago. Kids just don't think, talk, or act like this. Still, his story had a lot to like. The action and devastation surrounding the Katrina survivors felt real and horrifying rather than manipulative. But Volponi did few services to his own story. The dialogue was goofy and forced. And many important events were rushed. Like the stand-off with the gang in the Superdome. What? That lasted like 2 paragraphs. Snooze-o-rama. That should have taken up more of the book than the part with Miles and his father traipsing through New Orleans. But the preacher, Culver, and the scene depicting the Jazz Funeral were stunning and make this a readable and even recommendable book.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult book and I'm far past the age it is recommended for, but I enjoyed it and found it a fast read. I lived in the New Orleans area when Hurricane Katrina hit, but we were able to get out before the storm and did not directly experience any of the horror in the city, except via TV. We did see the devastation when we returned. I'm also not black and this book explores the experiences of blacks, mostly poor ones, who either did not or could not leave the city and ended up taking shelter in the New Orleans Superdome. I've heard many stories about what went on in the dome, and "Hurricane Song" pretty much reinforces the stories I've heard. I don't personally know how much of it is 'true' although it depicts humans being human and in that sense certainly has the ring of truth. What I mean by humans being humans is that some folks acted like thugs while others stood together and helped each other. Such catastrophes bring out both the best and the worst in people.

Toward the end of of the book we get a little peek at the city itself and the devastation. I would have liked to have seen more of that. That's the main reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volponi, Paul. 2008. Hurricane Song: A Novel of New Orleans.

"Miles has only been living with his musician father in New Orleans for two months when Hurricane Katrina hits--and they haven't really been getting along. His dad lives for jazz, while Miles's first love is football. But father and son must set aside their differences when they seek refuge in the crowded Superdome."

Need I say more? The above quote from the jacket says it all. Hurricane Katrina fictionalized through an emotional father-and-son story. Did I like it? Yes and no. It was emotional. It was dramatic. I think Volponi has written a handful of complex characters and placed them in a very turbulent setting. And the pacing of those scenes is good. It will keep you reading, keep you engaged. But the ending felt a little bit too contrived.

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It's not that I wanted Miles and his father to suffer even more than they already did. It's just that the ending seemed to have miraculously erased the losses, the troubles, the trauma, the stress and strain of the hurricane in a blink of an eye or the snap of a finger. And I just don't think that that is the case with most folks who actually did experience Katrina.

136 pages.

[★Codie Abibliophobic ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright it's not a book that I would recommend to a new reader; because of the style of Paul Volponi's writing and this was not a book that flows so it wasn’t that easy to read. I found the book good at some parts and then annoying. I liked this book but I didn't love it.

[Chloe Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles is a high school student who doesn't have the best relationship with his father who he just moved to live with. His father is really into jazz music, while Miles is a football fanatic. Their differences are a constant battle through out the entire book though, a hurricane gets in the way. Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst hurricanes in history tears through their town and now Miles and his dad have to make life threatening choices and they have to work together. This story deals with themes of family relationships, life and death, teamwork and danger. Hurricane Song is a fast paced novel that will catch your attention and keep it till the very end. If you want to find out who lives and who dies and if Miles and his father ever work out their relationship, then I highly recommend reading this book. Thankfully living in Spokane Washington, we don't have to deal with too many natural disasters and or life threatening storms. It is good for our students to read books like these even in Spokane because it is important for our students to have an open mind and to be knowledgeable about the world around them, especially in the other states in the U.S. Some students in your classroom might not have the best relationships with their fathers and or guardians as well and so they could relate to the book in that way, or students who have good relationships with their parents can open their eyes to what else is going on in other children's lives.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paul Volponin "Hurricane Song" (Viking Juvenile, 2008) on nuorille aikuisille suunnattu romaani, joka kertoo afroamerikkalaisesta nuorukaisesta ja tämän dramaattisista kokemuksista hurrikaani Katrinan iskiessä New Orleansiin elokuussa 2005. Lisäksi kirja käsittelee isän ja pojan ongelmallista suhdetta ja yhteiskunnallisia ongelmia, jotka kärjistyivät luonnonkatastrofin koittaessa.

Volponi kuvaa onnistuneesti tilapäissuojana toimineessa Superdome-hallissa koettua inhimillistä hätää ja kärsimystä, ja esimerkiksi parvekkeelta heittäytyvän vanhuksen second linea kuvaava kohtaus on hieno. Sääli vaan, ettei lyhyessä romaanissa malteta syventyä aiheeseen tiiviimmin, ja monet jännittävät kohtaukset tuntuvat olevan ohi ennen kuin ne kunnolla ehtivät alkaakaan.

Lopputulos ei ole missään tapauksessa kehno, mutta aineksia parempaankin olisi ollut, ja odotukset olivat joka tapauksessa korkeammalla. Siksi vain kaksi tähteä.

[Kirsten Nagamatsu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a heart felt story behind it and the realness of what happened during hurricane Katrina. Miles a young boy who loves football decides to move in with his father Doc, after his mom remarries. Doc pays a lot of attention to his music career in jazz playing the trumpet, and this gives Miles the impression that he doesn’t matter and is not as important to his father then his music. Hurricane Katrina is about to hit, and Doc, Miles, and his uncle Roy find shelter in the superdome where many other types of communities are seeking as well. The dome is being protected by military forces and the days together repair miles and his dad’s relationship. What they experience in the dome is what brings them together. This book is a must read for those who want to read about what happens and the decisions that are made during natural disasters. I would have to say this book is great for middle school 8th grade and up. It would be a perfect fit for learning about hurricanes and/or natural disasters or maybe a cross unit between English and science.

[Sean Rivard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the book Hurricane Song was really good and well written book. I really enjoyed how the book was a realistic fiction book about hurricane Katrina. They gave true facts that happened to the people of New Orleans and what they had to do to survive. I also loved how descriptive the book was and how it almost made you feel like you were in the super dome with the people of New Orleans. By reading this book I got to understand the struggles people had to go through during this hard time which I liked to read about.

[Emma Thibodeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. I kind of forgot about Hurricane Katrina, so this book told about and how they stayed in the Football stadium. It showed me how he and his dad got closer, and how his dad taught him to stay strong even in harsh times like Hurricane Katrina

[Ethan Taynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book but would not recommend it to a middle schooler and younger. There is a lot of violent language

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, interesting look into events inside the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina.

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just gonna start off by saying I love this book it is one of the best books I have read in a while I could not set this book down and I have no complaints. First off this story was able to pull you in with action right about 20 pages in and continues to hold that action or the hurricane and every thing going on around them while they are are seeking refuge in the super dome. And really shows what desperate times can do to a human also this book represents now a day issues like racial injustice and how thats a big issue. And the closing of this book how he finally unites with his dad and finds how much he cares by risking what he thought his dad loved most to save him. This is a great book would definitely recommend to any one for a nice 130 page chapter book.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay. It was a bit repetitive, and the author could have used more describing words.

Miles and his dad, Pop, live in New Orleans. Miles dad loves jazz, and Miles loves football. When they hear that a hurricane is coming, they do not want to leave because the bar where Pop plays is where he works. They decide to go into the Superdome, to get away from the storm. They stay there for 3 days, and it is terrible. People steal other food, money, and even the toilet paper in the bathrooms to resell later for money. How will Miles and his dad survive?

This book is in first person, and was short. The story line could have been better, and it needed more drama. Overall, I would not rate this book highly, and I would not recommend it to a friend.

[John-paul Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that the book Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi was a great book to read. I don't normally find books that appeal to me but there is just something about the books that Paul Volponi writes that makes me want to keep reading them. The story takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana before hurricane Katrina. Miles, his dad and his uncle are all together when the storm is about to make land fall they all go to a hotel were they believe they will be safe. The men change their minds and go to SuperDome. When they arrive they are in a crowed of many people trying to find shelter from the storm. The men only take their trumpets, drums, a football, a bag of candy, and enough clothes to last them 3 days. They find a nice quite place in the SuperDome where they will stay through out the storm. Miles is a football player and all he does is dream about playing on the field one day. Well he can't wait so he gathers up some kids and takes them down to the field to play football. While he is down there he finds two of his teammates and they hang out together until they want to rob someone and Miles doesn't want to. After this, they turn on him during the storm. The only thing Miles didn't know was that they were in a gang. So while they are trapped in the SuperDome many terrible thing occur. One is that part of the roof brakes off and the water starts to come in. Another thing is that the gangs are running wild killing people and setting people's stuff on fire if they don't give them money. But the saddest part of the book is when a family's grandfather can't take being in the SuperDome any more, so he jumps from the upper deck to his death. This book is very sad and very descriptive and also a depressing book to read, but I would still recommend this book to anyone I know.

[The Loft]

As Hurricane Ike, following Gustav and Hannah, continues to unleash its fury over the Gulf Coast, the devastation wrought by hurricanes is front page news for some, and a life threatening reality for others. In his young adult novel, Hurricane Song (Viking, 2008), Paul Volponi takes the reader to New Orleans during and immediately following Hurricane Katrina.



Sixteen-year-old Miles decides to move to New Orleans to live with his jazz musician father after his mother remarries in Chicago. Miles joins the football team and gradually adjusts to living with his father, who frequently puts music before all else. Then Katrina slams into New Orleans, and Miles, his dad and uncle attempt to flee the city by car. Instead, they wind up in the superdome, and as services and supplies dwindle and conditions deteriorate, they cope with the looting, violence, chaos and hunger. Volponi pulls no punches in this raw story of survival. Music is the balm that quells the storm and lifts the spirits of the main characters in this slim but powerful novel.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

16 year old Miles goes to live with his jazz musician father in New Orleans after his mother get remarried and has an apartment full of kids. Miles and his father have an uneasy relationship that is tested when Hurricane Katrina strikes and they, along with Miles' uncle, must flee to the Superdome during the storm. What follows is a gritty and realistic looks at what happened during those days that so many people were trapped in the Superdome.

This is great (and relatively short) book that pulls readers in right away. The voice of Miles is at times cynical and at times thoughtful, which gave his character a depth and reality not always seen in teen literature. This is a really moving story painted onto the backdrop of one of the worst national and humanitarian disasters ever expereinced in the United States. Given its lenghth and subject matter, a great pick for reluctant readers!

Content: There is violence and lots of language. It is appropriate for the story, characters, and setting, but some parents might object for this reason.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with Volponi's Black and White, and was excited to hear him talk so passionately about young adults at a recent conference, especially the troubled ones he works with. This book's central event it Hurricane Katrina, whose blistering winds created the 'song' of the title. Miles is new to New Orleans, new in his father's life. Then their evacuation of N.O. is stopped and the two, along with Miles's uncle, end up in the Superdome. Volponi's descriptions of the inhuman treatment of the families who had to ride out the storm in the Superdome is horrifying. No food or water, no restrooms, no medical care, no safety...the only dignity to be had is the dignity folks came into the Superdome with. Fear, intimidation, anger, mental illness, love, compassion, courage...all trapped together by the hurricane.

A very fast read, but an incredibly intense story. Volponi tells these kind of stories without flinching. He makes us cringe.

[7706nkera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hurricane song was an amazing book! It's about a kid named Miles and he's stuck in the super dome with his father and friends/family. They face horrible issues in the superdome during hurricane Katrina.
I loved how the author described Miles' and Pops relationship through out the book. In the beginning of the book Miles disliked how his father was putting music before him. In the super dome he felt that his father only liked him when he was playing his drums. I loved how the author referred to their relationship as Miles' watch. When Miles had his watch, he had a different relationship with his father. When Miles didn't have his watch (at the end of the book), he realized how his father put him first and how he knew what his father was going through (with music). They bonded better without the watch on Miles' wrist.
If you like realistic fiction books, you'll like this book :)

[Ashleigh Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2ish stars. There are some things I really love about this book. Hurricane Song tells the story of a young black high school boy who has just moved to New Orleans to live with his dad. Katrina hits not long after he arrives and a majority of the book tells the story of their time and the horrors they endure while stranded in the Superdome. I do think that the story lacks depth and every time I thought it was going to delve into some serious issue of poverty or race or government accountability or father/son relationships, it felt like Volponi wasn't quite sure what to do and all too quickly forced these opportunities to pass.

Definitely makes you think about Katrina and is a quick, easy read for students looking to learn more. However, the caliber of writing leaves much to be desired.

[GRPLTeens Grand Rapids Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles has decided to live with his father in New Orleans because his mother's house in Chicago is very crowded. Miles is looking forward to trying out for the football team. Miles thinks that his dad loves playing jazz more than him. Hurricane Katrina hits and Miles, his dad, and uncle have to seek refuge in the Superdome. Volponi's descriptions let you experience what living in the Superdome was like. Miles and his dad learn what really matters.

I listened to the Brilliance Audio production with Jacob C. Norman reading.He sings many verses of "When the Saints Come Marching In" in a poignant, natural way. Jazz music interludes add to the performance.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tugged at a lot of emotions for me. While my experience with flooding was not as devastating as that relived in this book, it stirred many feelings and memories. Trying to look out for yourself but also binding with the community to help others hit home. Even during and after the rebuild, even when places are better and stronger, the memories of that experience live on. Sometimes tears are remembering the fear and worry and sometimes they are remembering the strength of living through it.

[7706Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very depressing. It gave you clear ways of what it was like inside the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina. The characters were well written, and had perfect traits. There were many themes in this book which were part of the story building. I would definitely read more of Paul Volponi's books. I reccommend this book to everyone.

[7706cloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing!
its about a boy named miles who has issues with his dad. however, hurricane katrina hits and they find themselves in the superdome where they bond.
i loved this book because it was suspenseful and exciting. the relationship miles develops with his dad is touching to many people.
i would recommend this book to people who enjoy books on natural disasters.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this is the best book about Hurricane Katrina for teens. A realistic account of one teen's experience trying to escape New Orleans, ending up in the Superdome, and losing his home. And like Katrina, the book did not end "happy," but it did end with hope. A must read.

[Devon703 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was Ok. We read it as a read aloud, and i found that there were a lot metaphors and similes which added great detail. but i found that to get a little annoying.

[Linda Lipko]

I've read many books regarding New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.

This is one I cannot recommend!

[7709joselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great . This book gives off so much emotions,you feel love, hate ,fear,and anger. This book makes you open up your eyes and cherish every moment you have with your family.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a really decent book and I can relate to it because I like to here about disaster stories.

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a made-up story about real events. Real people experienced situations really similar to this story. It's about Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans and what it was like being in the Superdome. It is told from one teen boy's point of view, and it shows how some people tried to help each other and some abused others. Also, it shows the terrible conditions they were living in at the Superdome. I've lived through hurricanes and just being without electricity in that heat for a day made me miserable and unbearable to be around so living in the conditions they were in with so many for so long makes this almost a horror story to me.

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember Katrina and feeling so helpless watching people suffer by the thousands at the hands of an unfeeling and unsympathetic government. It was one of the worst things I've ever witnessed and the fact that it is nearly 20 years later and things still aren't back to pre-Katrina days is shameful.

I love our main character in this, his minute-by-minute narration, and how he so masterfully ties his dad's love of jazz music to the ebb and flow of the water, spirits, and actions of a desperate public. This is a relatively compact volume and yet it still captured so much of the feeling of Katrina as well as several highlight plot moments and a touching story between our MC and his dad.