Claudia in the Storm written by Denise McConduit and illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli, exemplifies the idea that an author who has lived through an event can write about it from that perspective in a way that draws a believable experience for the reader. While the book is fictional, it is set in New Orleans in the reality of Hurricane Katrina as the levees broke and the city flooded. Denise draws on her own experience of evacuating to Houston, TX and the stories of her friends and neighbors to create twelve-year-old Claudia’s story.
Each chapter begins with place, date, and time to keep track of the progression of Hurricane Katrina. The author sets up sibling relationships before the hurricane makes its appearance. Claudia, the oldest child who is expected to be responsible, carries some resentment for Zoe and Zack, the nine-year-old twins who have no such expectations. In addition, Zoe gets on her last nerve resulting in Claudia’s labelling her as Little Miss Know-It-All.
As Katrina nears the city, various preparations are made among the neighbors with some choosing to evacuate and others sheltering to weather the storm. None are prepared for the levees breaking and the flooding of the city. Like many families, Claudia’s heads to the attic and later to the roof where she and Zoe get separated from the rest of the family in a confused helicopter rescue. Wonder if the family will get back together and if they will be able to return home makes for high tension.
Nonfiction back matter gives the reality behind Claudia’s story and a short glossary of words pertinent to the understanding of both the hurricane and the disastrous of the accompanying failure of the levees. The book is listed for fourth to sixth grade but would be helpful for any age group seeking a personal look at what happened during the hurricane and adding understanding to the effects of the levee break in escalating the effects of the storm.