Book Review: Hurricane Song by Paul Volpini

Hurricane Song by  Paul Volpini

Summary by Goodreads:

Hurricane Katrina is raging and you are inside the Superdome! Miles has only lived in New Orleans with his dad, a musician, for a few months when Hurricane Katrina hits. Father and son haven?t exactly been getting along. Miles is obsessed with football; his dad?s passion is jazz. But when the storm strikes, they?re forced to work through their differences to survive a torturous few days in the Superdome.

Paul Volponi, known for writing books that capture the pulse of urban life in New York City, creates a gripping hour-by-hour portrayal of what life was like for those left behind once the floodwaters began to rise.

My Thoughts:

I remember when Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans and was appalled at how it took so long to get help - food, medicine, and safety to the families that were stuck in the storm.  The poorest people were left to starve to death. Families lost everything and had no place to go.  This book brings to life some of the reality that many faced when they were stuck in the Superdome during the storm. My only complaint was that Volpini didn't delve deeper into the issues of poverty and racism that many faced pre-Katrina and how it got worse after the storm.  Instead, he focuses solely on Miles relationship with his father and how the storm brought them together.  

While this was action packed and fast paced, I would have liked a little more from it.  If the language weren't so vulgar, I would recommend this to my own children, but I will wait on this one. I do think some of our high school boys who like football and are reticent readers may find this book interesting.