Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes follows 12-year-old Lanesha in New Orleans’s Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina, where she relies on her resourcefulness, resilience, and fortitude to survive the storm and subsequent flooding alongside her elderly caregiver, Mama Ya-Ya, and their neighbor, TaShon. This novel features themes of survival, community, and the supernatural.

Jewell Parker Rhodes' Ninth Ward is praised for its compelling depiction of a young girl’s resilience during Hurricane Katrina, blending magical realism with real-life events. Critics laud its poignant narrative and strong characters, though some feel its pacing is uneven. Overall, it's seen as a powerful and emotional story for middle-grade readers.

Fans of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and A Long Walk to Water will appreciate Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes. This poignant tale appeals to middle-grade and young adult readers who enjoy heartfelt, coming-of-age stories that tackle historical events through the eyes of resilient, young protagonists.

Emotional / Heartwarming / Melancholic / Inspirational / Hopeful

- Jewell Parker Rhodes received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award in 2011 for Ninth Ward, recognizing its contribution to children's literature that reflects African American life and history.
- Ninth Ward is part of a trilogy that Jewell Parker Rhodes wrote for middle-grade readers, exploring major historical events through the lens of young protagonists.
- The book was inspired by the real-life impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, where Rhodes wanted to highlight themes of resilience, community, and survival.

**Lanesha**  
A young Black American girl living in New Orleans who loves school and has special perceptive abilities, seeing the ghosts of people throughout the city's history.

**Mama Ya-Ya**  
The wise midwife who raised Lanesha and has special powers of perception, guiding Lanesha with love and foresight.

**TaShon**  
A small, courageous boy who becomes Lanesha’s friend and ally, known for his love and protection of his dog, Spot.

**Ginia**  
A kind classmate of Lanesha's who expresses genuine interest in friendship and shares a grandmother with perceptive abilities similar to Mama Ya-Ya.

**Lanesha’s Mother**  
The ghost of Lanesha's young mother, who is a quiet but constant presence in Lanesha’s life, becoming more active during the storm.

Jewell Parker Rhodes

Middle grade

Novel

The Louisiana Girls Trilogy

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