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Hurricane Boy
WINNER OF AN SCBWI CRYSTAL KITE AWARD
AN IN THE MARGINS LIST SELECTION
This incisive coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and its severe devastation to US soil. A compelling tale of growth and independence, this debut novel brings a fresh, evocative voice to the stage: Hollis Williams, whose resilience, strength of character, and personal growth are powerfully portrayed by the author's authentic narrative. This book will last for generations, giving voice to every young reader struggling to find his or her place in the world.
Hollis Williams is a middle-school student in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. His father absent and his mother dead, Hollis and his siblings live with his grandmother. He dreams of reconnecting with his father, but Hurricane Katrina strikes and devastates his home and his plans. The young boy's family is trapped on the roof of their house, hoping and waiting to be rescued. When help finally arrives, Hollis and his family are separated and sent hundreds of miles apart. Taken to a shelter in a West Virginia church, Hollis must reunite his family against all odds.
AN IN THE MARGINS LIST SELECTION
This incisive coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and its severe devastation to US soil. A compelling tale of growth and independence, this debut novel brings a fresh, evocative voice to the stage: Hollis Williams, whose resilience, strength of character, and personal growth are powerfully portrayed by the author's authentic narrative. This book will last for generations, giving voice to every young reader struggling to find his or her place in the world.
Hollis Williams is a middle-school student in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. His father absent and his mother dead, Hollis and his siblings live with his grandmother. He dreams of reconnecting with his father, but Hurricane Katrina strikes and devastates his home and his plans. The young boy's family is trapped on the roof of their house, hoping and waiting to be rescued. When help finally arrives, Hollis and his family are separated and sent hundreds of miles apart. Taken to a shelter in a West Virginia church, Hollis must reunite his family against all odds.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2014
About the author
Laura Roach Dragon
3 books15 followersHurricane Boy is the recipient of an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.
Hurricane Boy is also an In The Margins selection.
Laura Roach Dragon lives in the New Orleans area of Louisiana. She works with children at a local hospital. She is the author of two middle grade novels. One is called Hurricane Boy about a family's ordeal after Hurricane Katrina and the other is an anthology of scary stories that take place in New Orleans and bayou country along with several author friend contributors.
Hurricane Boy is also an In The Margins selection.
Laura Roach Dragon lives in the New Orleans area of Louisiana. She works with children at a local hospital. She is the author of two middle grade novels. One is called Hurricane Boy about a family's ordeal after Hurricane Katrina and the other is an anthology of scary stories that take place in New Orleans and bayou country along with several author friend contributors.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 22, 2014
Although I am a very slow reader, I read this book from start to finish in about 4 hours. I didn't even want to stop for a bathroom break!
I lived in Baton Rouge, LA during Hurricane Katrina and heard all kinds of stories about what families went through. Even though these are fictional characters, I believe the author captured more truths about what families went through than she realizes. This story was so believable and captivating, with very compelling characters that I had to ask the author herself if this was a true story.
I became so emotionally connected to the characters in this story that I am hoping there will be a sequel. I need to know more!
The audience intended for this book was probably geared towards middle grade aged children but the fact is, everyone no matter their age would enjoy this story. It was beautifully written and I highly recommend it to all audiences.
I lived in Baton Rouge, LA during Hurricane Katrina and heard all kinds of stories about what families went through. Even though these are fictional characters, I believe the author captured more truths about what families went through than she realizes. This story was so believable and captivating, with very compelling characters that I had to ask the author herself if this was a true story.
I became so emotionally connected to the characters in this story that I am hoping there will be a sequel. I need to know more!
The audience intended for this book was probably geared towards middle grade aged children but the fact is, everyone no matter their age would enjoy this story. It was beautifully written and I highly recommend it to all audiences.
April 21, 2014
This poignant tale reveals through the eyes of a young boy the very real terrors and dangers faced by families in New Orleans' South Ward during and after Hurricane Katrina. The boy, Hollis, is fictional, but the events described were very real. I have read several factual accounts of the havoc wreaked by Katrina, but none brought the situation to life to the extent that this YA novel did. This book may be aimed at young people, but adults will benefit as well from its portrayal of children separated from their families and of families torn apart by the confusion and devastation left in Katrina's wake. The tale is both horrifying and heartwarming in its revelation of the physical and the psychological effects on children caught in a disaster and forced to grow up too soon.
April 17, 2014
Even though this book is targeted to a younger audience, being from New Orleans and having been through Katrina convinced me to give it a go.
When we first meet Hollis on the eve of Hurricane Katrina, he is a happy little boy living with his grandmother and siblings in the lower Ninth Ward. His mother is dead and his father abandoned them. While getting ready for the storm, Hollis is exploring the possibility of reconnecting with his father.
Like many people who had been through hurricanes in the past, his grandmother, Gee, believed it would be like all the others. People would evacuate only to return in a couple of days.
The story deals with the aftermath of the storm. Stranded on the roof, the family is rescued at different times. Hollis, his younger brother and sister end up in a shelter in West Virginia when a cruel twist of fate causes them to end up on the wrong bus. While waiting for news on finding Gee and his brother, Jonas, Hollis encounters people in the shelter, some good and some bad, that strongly influence his outlook on the world helping him to find the answer he was searching for.
I would like to have gotten into more of Jonas' story. Otherwise, it was a great read and a story that needed to be told. I highly recommend it.
When we first meet Hollis on the eve of Hurricane Katrina, he is a happy little boy living with his grandmother and siblings in the lower Ninth Ward. His mother is dead and his father abandoned them. While getting ready for the storm, Hollis is exploring the possibility of reconnecting with his father.
Like many people who had been through hurricanes in the past, his grandmother, Gee, believed it would be like all the others. People would evacuate only to return in a couple of days.
The story deals with the aftermath of the storm. Stranded on the roof, the family is rescued at different times. Hollis, his younger brother and sister end up in a shelter in West Virginia when a cruel twist of fate causes them to end up on the wrong bus. While waiting for news on finding Gee and his brother, Jonas, Hollis encounters people in the shelter, some good and some bad, that strongly influence his outlook on the world helping him to find the answer he was searching for.
I would like to have gotten into more of Jonas' story. Otherwise, it was a great read and a story that needed to be told. I highly recommend it.
March 16, 2014
Over 5,000 children were separated from Gulf Coast families in the Katrina-created confusion of rescue on such a mass scale. Their story has never been told. Until now.
Hollis lives in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans with his brothers and sister and grandmother Gee. In the opening pages of Hurricane Boy, Hollis experiences brutal force of Hurricane Katrina. He and his family flee the rising floodwaters to the rooftop where they are stranded for days.
When rescue comes, the family is separated as Gee is transported to one location and the children a thousand miles away to another. Hurricane Boy follows the odyssey of Hollis and his younger brother and sister as they are evacuated far from home.
Hollis is also on an emotional journey. He has long desired to reconnect with his father, who abandoned the family when Hollis’s mother was dying with cancer. Against the backdrop of the Katrina diaspora, Hollis’s physical and emotional journey is a riveting read.
This is a solid five-star read.
Hollis lives in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans with his brothers and sister and grandmother Gee. In the opening pages of Hurricane Boy, Hollis experiences brutal force of Hurricane Katrina. He and his family flee the rising floodwaters to the rooftop where they are stranded for days.
When rescue comes, the family is separated as Gee is transported to one location and the children a thousand miles away to another. Hurricane Boy follows the odyssey of Hollis and his younger brother and sister as they are evacuated far from home.
Hollis is also on an emotional journey. He has long desired to reconnect with his father, who abandoned the family when Hollis’s mother was dying with cancer. Against the backdrop of the Katrina diaspora, Hollis’s physical and emotional journey is a riveting read.
This is a solid five-star read.
April 8, 2014
This novel is unique in that the book focuses on the experiences of children during hurricane Katrina. What the children experienced is generally forgotten as people focused on the flooding, loss of life, political issues, etc. The author is a social worker, so her insight into the feelings of children is genuine. The characters are believable and unique. The book is an honest portrayal of one family from the lower 9th ward that suffered a terrible loss and gained new insight as a result.
I highly recommend this book. The author is from New Orleans and the book rings true.
I highly recommend this book. The author is from New Orleans and the book rings true.
May 29, 2014
I lived in Indiana during Hurricane Katrina so my only reference point was the news. I now live in Louisiana and have heard many Katrina stories, however, Hurricane Boy moved me in a way that really brings to light the horrors that people experienced, especially children. This book is compelling, beautifully written, and full of vivid characters. I laughed, cried, and cheered with Hollis and his family.
August 29, 2017
In Hurricane Boy, clever, responsible 11-year-old Hollis must help his family of five climb to the roof through the attic when his Ninth Ward house is inundated with swiftly rising water. In their rush to escape, the family leaves everything–including his grandma’s insulin–behind. Surrounded by water, four children and an elderly woman wait for days on the roof, without food, drinking water, or medicine, while helicopters fly overhead, sometimes shining lights and TV cameras on them.
When neighbors a few blocks away need help, Hollis and his older brother swim over. Hollis returns, but his brother doesn’t. When a boat finally arrives, it can take only their grandmother, who needs medical attention. The three remaining children–Hollis, his 9-year-old sister, and his 5-year-old brother–are left alone.
Hollis’s bravery and determination to hold his family together continues after a helicopter rescue and throughout his eventual arrival in a West Virginia emergency shelter. Life in the shelter is confusing but mostly safe; they meet other kids separated from their caretakers and form friendships as they work through a variety of challenges.
Despite the heavy situation, Hollis remains thoughtful and hopeful, relying on his cleverness to protect the people he loves and to find those separated from him. A funny, but realistic, turn of events brings a happy ending, though I would have liked a little more closure.
Hurricane Boy introduces amazing kid characters who represent the strength, resilience, and positivity we all need to survive disaster. May they offer hope for those recovering right now.
When neighbors a few blocks away need help, Hollis and his older brother swim over. Hollis returns, but his brother doesn’t. When a boat finally arrives, it can take only their grandmother, who needs medical attention. The three remaining children–Hollis, his 9-year-old sister, and his 5-year-old brother–are left alone.
Hollis’s bravery and determination to hold his family together continues after a helicopter rescue and throughout his eventual arrival in a West Virginia emergency shelter. Life in the shelter is confusing but mostly safe; they meet other kids separated from their caretakers and form friendships as they work through a variety of challenges.
Despite the heavy situation, Hollis remains thoughtful and hopeful, relying on his cleverness to protect the people he loves and to find those separated from him. A funny, but realistic, turn of events brings a happy ending, though I would have liked a little more closure.
Hurricane Boy introduces amazing kid characters who represent the strength, resilience, and positivity we all need to survive disaster. May they offer hope for those recovering right now.
July 16, 2018
A youth book and a quick read. Fictionalized, but based on collected stories from children who lived through Katrina. Scary, sad, ultimately uplifting. Great detail on life in the days right after Katrina.
October 3, 2015
Take out the politics. Take out the imagery you saw on the news. Take out the grown up perspective. That's what Laura does with Hurricane Boy. Yes, I endured the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's hardships. But I always wondered what the during must have been like for a kid. Enter Hollis, a tween boy stuck right in the middle of Katrina's wrath – and a broken family. Although it's a fictional tale, Laura takes you on a physical and emotional roller-coaster ride with you in the front seat: from the rising floodwaters to life stranded on a rooftop to being evacuated hundreds of miles away, separated from the ones you love.
Give this one a read. Then you'll want to tell everyone that matters just how much they matter to you.
Give this one a read. Then you'll want to tell everyone that matters just how much they matter to you.
May 19, 2016
Ms. Dragon writes a gripping tale of a New Orleans family surviving Hurricane Katrina. Though written for younger readers, as an adult I found myself unable to put the novel down and completely enchanted by the strength of the characters portrayed. Each character is masterfully written and completely relatable in a way that allows the characters to come to life. While the subject matter is heavy, Ms. Dragon is able to expertly insert humor which lightens the psychological load and contributes to the overall tone of hope. Beautifully written, realistic, and optimistic. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages from all geographic areas. Whether or not you are interested in Hurricane Katrina, you will enjoy this book immensely.
November 2, 2015
Nice perspective from an 11 year old boy. Good book to show that even when faced with bad situations, good choices can be made. Don't blame things on your past, but strive to make a better future.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews