Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans in Mock Printz 2026

Dec 07, 2015 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: animals, civil-rights, elderly-characters, weather, community, travel, crime, death, poverty, friendship

This outstanding graphic novel depiction of the events that occurred before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina focuses on New Orleans, much of which was under water after August 29, 2005. Relying on illustrations created with pen and ink and digital paint, the illustrator has somehow managed to thrust readers into the hectic events surrounding this natural disaster. Even the book jacket depicts skies filled with helicopters and the city's citizens looking for relief even while the back cover s This outstanding graphic novel depiction of the events that occurred before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina focuses on New Orleans, much of which was under water after August 29, 2005. Relying on illustrations created with pen and ink and digital paint, the illustrator has somehow managed to thrust readers into the hectic events surrounding this natural disaster. Even the book jacket depicts skies filled with helicopters and the city's citizens looking for relief even while the back cover shows a diminutive Crescent City seemingly dwarfed by the rapidly-encroaching waters of Lake Ponchartrain. The story begins, appropriately enough, a handful of days before Katrina grows in strength, during the late days of August, and concludes as New Orleans continues to recover, now protected by expansive walls that rise to 26 feet in height. In between, the book features many elements that received much attention in the media as well as other, more private tragedies. While many novels have striven to capture what happened in New Orleans, this nonfiction account comes closes to getting everything right. It's all here: The men, women and children seemingly left behind when avenues of escape are denied. The family pets torn from the arms of their human companions. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Coast Guard's heroic rescues of thousands of individuals. The long lines outside the Superdome and the Convention Center. The looting that occurred during the disaster, some by average citizens desperate for food and water but others by opportunistic citizens and law enforcement. A governor and a President seemingly at cross purposes and a mayor who seems to have disappeared. The wild rumors that filled the air. In this volume, Don Brown proves himself the master of the understatement as seen in this observation about the words of President George Bush: "Bush finds kind words for FEMA head Mike Brown...The President's praise confuses many Americans" (p. 83). This is an unforgettable, true story about failures, successes, mistakes, and politics, amid much confusion. It is told in an engaging fashion that will leave readers breathless from its pace. While the hurricane and its aftermath may have drowned much of New Orleans, Katrina failed to drown the irrepressible hope and resilience of its citizens. This story is very personal for me and many others, and I am thrilled to have it retold for a new generation of readers in this fashion. While it broke my heart again and sent my heart racing in anticipation of what was to come, this is a story that must not be repeated. The only way to prevent that is to learn from the mistakes made ten years ago. A plethora of references attests to the research conducted by this gifted chronicler of important moments in history. I score it a 4.5 simply because I wish there were even more pages in this account. ...more

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Dec 04, 2015 Karen Arendt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, graphic-novel

A very somber telling of Hurricane Katrina but very much worth reading. We should never forget mistakes made during that disaster.

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Nov 23, 2015 Tamsyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s, fms, books-that-teach, graphic-novels, youngadult, nonfiction, history

Don Brown does an excellent job presenting the disaster that New Orleans experienced at the mercy of Hurricane Katrina through vivid pictures and objective narrative.Many different perspectives are represented,and the extent of the horror is not minimized, but presented in a compelling way, including some surprising facts. Very well done.

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Feb 01, 2016 Shelley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, kids-nonfiction, graphic-novels

Don Brown has a way of making you feel like you are there...in the dust bowl, in New Orleans after Katrina. Horrific and beautiful at the same time.

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Nov 07, 2015 Angela rated it it was amazing

One of the clearest, best accounts of these events I've read or seen. Affecting, but not overwhelming for a middle school audience. ...more

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Oct 24, 2016 Carol Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: teen, nonfiction, graphic-novel

A quick, yet moving read. Lots of facts but I found the illustrations really tell the story.

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Mar 09, 2016 Wendy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: graphic-novel, in-my-classroom-library, nonfiction, snapdragon-titles

That was--wow.

I know more and understand better about what happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina than I did when it was on the news every day. That says something embarrassing about me, of course, but I am glad this book came along to address my ignorance. I love how the figures in the book speak the quoted words of actual survivors, and I admire how Brown makes it clear who made which mistakes without having to ever call names or point fingers--he just lines up the damning facts. Mov ...more

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Feb 09, 2016 Courtney rated it really liked it

Shelves: tween, graphic-novel, 2016, juvenile, nonfiction

This is a moving and beautiful introduction to the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina for older children or teens. While there are some disturbing images, the style of the artwork makes them less graphic than they could have been.

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