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Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ninth Ward Paperback – April 10, 2012

by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author)

413 ratings

Book 1 of 3: The Louisiana Girls Trilogy

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From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a heartbreaking and uplifting tale of survival in the face of Hurricane Katrina.

Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Boys and Towers Falling, Ninth Ward is a deeply emotional story about transformation and a celebration of resilience, friendship, and family--as only love can define it.

Reading age

9+ years, from customers
Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 and up
Lexile measure

HL470L
Dimensions

5.15 x 0.8 x 7.6 inches
Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date

April 10, 2012
ISBN-10

0316043087
ISBN-13

978-0316043083
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From the Publisher


	Paradise on Fire	Black Brother, Black Brother	Ghost Boys	Towers Falling	Bayou Magic	Sugar
Discover more inspiring reads from Jewell Parker Rhodes!	A timely coming-of-age survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change.	A powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black.	A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a police officer, drawing connections through history.	A powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks in a classroom of students who cannot remember the event but live through the aftermath.	A magical coming-of-age story, rich with Southern folklore, friendship, family, fireflies and mermaids, plus an environmental twist.	A tale of a strong, spirited young girl who rises beyond her circumstances and inspires others to work toward a brighter future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A CCBC Recommended Multicultural Book for Children and Teens

"Jewell Parker Rhodes has written a powerful novel about family and survival in the face of tragedy and has created in her twelve-year-old narrator Lanesha, a true heroine. [She] shows a kind of bravery and big-heartedness that is a gift she passes along to her friend, her community and the readers of this luminous book."―Walter Mosley

"An absolutely exquisite children's debut by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Jewell's vivid writing brings the setting to life, in a story that is both timely and unforgettable."―Patricia Reilly Giff

"Lanesha is a miraculous candle of a girl: her flame burns steadier in hurricane winds, and glows brighter against dark flood-waters. Jewell Parker Rhodes's book shines with love."―Sara Pennypacker

"An enjoyable, satisfying novel about the magical spirit of a young girl navigating her way through an American tragedy."―Christopher Paul Curtis

"A girl with special powers awakens to the New Orleans around her in a story told with gritty poetry."―Richard Peck

"A beautiful, moving, personal story. Unforgettable. I loved it."―Justine Larbalestier

"Another gem by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Two youngsters, friends forever, find a way to survive, to love, to begin again. Wow! What a legacy to pass along."―Nikki Giovanni

About the Author

Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of Ninth Ward, a Coretta Scott King honor book, and Sugar, winner of the Jane Adams Peace Association book award. She has also written many award-winning books for adults. Jewell lives with her family in Arizona.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 10, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316043087
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316043083
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 years and up
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL470L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.15 x 0.8 x 7.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #34,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #45 in Children's Weather Books (Books)
- #147 in Children's American Historical Fiction (Books)
- #192 in Children's Black & African American Story Books

Customer Reviews:
413 ratings

About the author

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Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and educator for both youth and adults. She is the author of seven books for children including the New York Times bestsellers Ghost Boys and Black Brother, Black Brother, both named Amazon’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Her other books include Paradise on Fire, Towers Falling, and the Louisiana Girls Trilogy: Ninth Ward, Sugar, and Bayou Magic.

Jewell is the author of six adult novels: Voodoo Dreams, Magic City, Douglass’ Women, Season, Moon, and Hurricane, as well as the memoir Porch Stories: A Grandmother’s Guide to Happiness, and two writing guides, Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction.

Jewell has won the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, and the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award.

Jewell regularly visits schools, a speaker at colleges and conferences. The driving force behind all of her work is to inspire social justice, equity, and environmental stewardship.

Jewell is the Founding Artistic Director and Piper Endowed Chair at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Carnegie-Mellon University. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she currently lives in Seattle.

Customer reviews

5 star		82%
4 star		12%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jesica Nkouaga, Author of The Bear Family Plays Hide and Seek a French - English Bilingual Book

Among my top three favorite children's novel!

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is among my top three children's novel alongside Esperanza Rising and Heidi. I can't praise this book enough for its contribution to children's literature and especially its depiction of the Ninth Ward and the cultural heritage of this New Orleans neighborhood, as well as its historical portrayal of Hurricane Katrina. This is definitely a page-turner which is difficult to put down. It will take you out of your reality and immerse you in a magical world with a rich and dynamic plot of crisis and victory.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Angela of Imani Literary Group

A Gift of Children's Literature!

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2010

Verified Purchase

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
I just completed Jewell Parker Rhodes' latest book--her first written for young
people. Its Title--Ninth Ward. Its Setting--New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
Its focus--Lanesha, a twelve year old born with a caul covering her head and
face, who is connected to the spiritual world and her Mama Ya Ya. Through a
child's eyes we watch a neighborhood in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans
experience the arrival of Hurricane Katrina, the surge of the Mississippi River as
the levees give way, the destruction of a rich vibrant community made up of
people who have so little, but share what they have with each other. This is a
story of love, courage and strength as the ancestors encourage two young
children to have faith in themselves if they want to survive. Jewell Parker
Rhodes says that she wanted to grow up enough to write her first book for young
people--she has more than made up for making us wait so long by penning this
magnificent story for youngsters and oldsters, one that I will share with many. A
MUST READ.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lori Katz

A hauntingly beautiful book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2010

Verified Purchase

See above for full synopsis. Lanesha is a 12 year-old girl raised by the mid-wife who helped birth her as her mom died shortly after she was born. The first part of the book describes the love and affection between Mama Ya-Ya and and lets us know that between Mama Ya-Ya's educating Lanesha and school Lanesha is a very smart girl. Lanesha sees ghosts (including her mother) and Mama Ya-Ya sees and feels things gives the book a sort of mystical quality. The rest of the book deals with getting prepared for Hurricane Katrina and how Lanesha manages to survive the horrific storm.

If I was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina I would have liked to be with Lanesha. She draws on everything she has learned from math to physics to cooking. Her love for Mama Ya-Ya and her feelings for her friend TaShon and their dog Spot would make anyone want to be on her team. The images of the New Orleans destruction are vivid and heart wrenching but still this book is a wonderful book for youngsters. Lanesha is a strong female character and I for one would love to hear more of her story.
Recommended for strong 3rd grade readers and above.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ana Vanessa

Very beautiful, great for children

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2022

Verified Purchase

A very poetic and beautiful story that scratches the horrors of the tragedy that Katrina brought to that city. I love the writing style, reminiscent of Tony Morrisson. A beautiful coming-of-age book.

Helpful

DAC

A Beautifully Well Told Story

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2010

Verified Purchase

in the year I was so excited when I found out Jewell Parker Rhodes had a middle grade novel coming out. If the name sounds familiar its because Rhodes is an award winning author of adult fiction.

12 yr old Lanesha was born with a caul on her face. Thanks to this, Lanesha can see ghost including her mother, who died giving birth to her. Lanesha lives with Mama Ya- Ya in New Orleans, Ninth Ward. Mama Ya Ya is 82 yrs old, she's seen a lot and helped bring alot of babies into the world.

Mama Ya Ya senses the hurricane before its announced on the news. Mama Ya Ya knows something else is wrong, but she can't put her finger on what. Lanesha must prepare as best she can.

Tashon, the quiet neighbor boy, finds his way to MaMa Ya Ya's house after the hurricane. Together Lanesha and Tashon must survive the broken levies. When the water won't stop rising they end up on the top of the roof. Rhodes paints such a clear picture, I could see everything.

"I start trembling and look around my neighborhood. The horizon is none like I'd seen before. Just the tips of houses. Tops or halves of trees. Lampposts hacked off by water. Rooftops -some flat, some anglar most empty. Far left I see a man and a woman sitting on a roof their feet in the water."

Lanesha's abililty to see ghosts, adds a magical element to this story.

"Now, ghosts in baggy pants, their underwear showing, wearing short sleeve T-shirts and body tattoos, are from my time. They're mostly boys killed in drive-bys or fights or robberies. Sometimes, I know them from school. Like Jermaine. One day I'm seeing him in the cafeteria eating macaroni, the next day, he's a ghost, dull eyed, high fiving me."

Lanesha's mother's ghost can't move on, until Lanesha is safe. Though, Ninth Ward is only 207 pages, its never feels rushed. Rhodes tells a beautiful well paced story.

Many bestselling adult authors have a difficult time creating authenic middle grade voices, that was not the case here. Lanesha is smart, independent, excels at math and I loved her voice.

This is the first middle grade novel about hurricane Katrina. The ones that come behind it, will have a lot to live up to. Like Williams- Garcia's One Crazy Summer, the characters and writing felt familar. This doesn't happen often when I read middle grade fiction, when it does its refreshing. Ninth Ward is one of my favorite middle grade novels of the year.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

AZsneez

Cheers for strong girls!

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a perfect story of what a strong girl can do, with encouragement and support. Most children are stronger than they think they are, and most are much stronger than adults think they are. Good reading for all.

Helpful

PDXbibliophile

Inspiring Story of Survival Hope and Family

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

Ninth Ward is a wonderful story of surviving Hurricane Katrina. Lanesha has spent every day of her twelve years in her very nurturing close knit neighborhood of New Orleans' ninth ward. Her wise elderly foster mother has taught her the traditions, beliefs and superstitions of her African and French ancestors. These teachings are what give Lanesha the strength to save herself, her best friend and their dog after the flood wipes out the neighborhood. This is a story of faith, love and determination. It will be on all of the best books lists for sure.

One person found this helpful

Helpful