Ninth Ward (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Title)

AMAZING book! Great for middle school age to adult. I enjoyed reading it. It was originally assigned to my 6th grade son. I bought a copy and we read it together. Love this, also, check out Ghost Boys.

my favorite book now! so interesting and vey sad as well.

I was astonished by this novel. I was astonished by the story itself--gripped by it, really. I was more astonished by the high quality of writing that the author so skillfully invested in telling this tale. Twelve year-old Lanesha (who can talk to ghosts), lives with her caretaker, Mama Ya-Ya, in New Orleans' impoverished Ninth Ward. Mama Ya-Ya has the gift of foresight and she predicts the approach of a very bad storm (this will be Hurricane Katrina) and the novel follows Lanesha as she does her best to survive the storm and its aftermath. The story alone is gripping enough, but what impressed me more was the high quality of Jewell Parker Rhodes' writing and her ability to expertly render characters that seem utterly real, whose actions, especially toward the end of the novel, show just how human these human beings are. Despite the magical talents of Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya, the novel does not devolve into pulp adventure fiction (overly exaggerating any one element--the supernatural aspect of Lanesha's or Mama Ya-Ya's talents, for example, or turning Lanesha into a miniature adult who acts and speaks beyond her years--something common to a lot of YA novels). Nor does Rhodes spend much time moralizing about the economic plight of the people who live in the Ninth Ward and live there still (parts of the Lower Ninth Ward are yet uninhabitable). It's Rhodes' skill as a writer to portray Lanesha as sympathetic and very credible twelve year-old with all the comprehension of the world that twelve year old girls have (with the exception of being able to talk to ghosts!). Author Rhodes understands that her readership (preteens and teens) will "get" everything there is to get in Ninth Ward. At the very least, they'll read a thoroughly engaging story about a young girl who experiences something few girls her age (or just about anyone) will ever experience. I cannot praise this book enough. If you haven't read anything by Jewell Parker Rhodes, this might be a good place to start, even if you are an adult. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

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.

As a mother and highly Spiritual BEING I am truly touched and strengthened by the Courage, Love and Wisdom of the characters. The determination and Will to Live. The present moment vividness of the story, captured my attention and expanded my heart. I could visually see Lanesha and TaShon, Mamma Ya Ya and the Ghosts. In fact the story is written so well I felt like I was right there in the story with the characters. I purchased this book for my daughter a few months ago and I don't believe she's read it yet. She's 7. Recently I was using her kindle for a meditation and I stumbled upon a book suggestion that seemed an interesting read. I tried purchasing the book but was unable to complete the purchase because of poor Internet connection. When I hit the back button it brought up a list of books in her library. This one caught my eye and I decided to skim through the book to see what the storyline was about. What was suppose to be me reading a few pages turned into me being fully engaged and motivated to read for the next discovery. I finished the book in 2 days and was immediately intrigued with the vocabulary and mathematical lessons presented on top of the other lessons of unity, endurance, strength, openness, wit, spirituality, Love, and Faith! So again, Thank You Dear Soul for your gift of word and creativity. Continued Blessings of Success BE...Well Omena El Proud Mamma to Azza Bee

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.

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.

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.

A great story filled with love and friendship that I will enjoy quoting for as long as I live. A fantastic book.

My daughter loved this book.