professornana (professornana) wrote,
professornana
professornana
  • Location: Boston
  • Mood: fuh-reezing

Katrina and its aftermath

NINTH WARD (Little Brown, August 2010) is a gem of a book. Set in New Orleans in the days leading up to Hurrican Katrina, it is the story of a 12 year old girl named Lanesha who has been reared by Mama Ya-Ya. Lanesha has never really known her mother even though the ghost of her mother is still present in Mama Ya-Ya's home. Mama Ya-Ya, herself a seer, knows that Lanesha also has the gift. Lanesha will need this gift if she is to survive the hurricane that sweeps into her city and threatens to destroy all she loves.

The author has written adult fiction; this is her first foray in the land of children's and YA literature. This is a compelling story of a young girl for whom life has been difficult. Lanesha lives with someone who is not a relative; she has the sight. This makes her the butt of every bully at school. However, Lanesha learns to accept who she is just in time to use her skills to survive the flood that eradicated much of New Orleans when the levees broke.

PS: The lovely and talented Victoria Stapleton of Little Brown would be happy to send ARCs out to those interested. Contact her directly, please.

Victoria.Stapleton@hbgusa.com
Tags: forthcoming ya
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