Ninth Ward

The close focus on Lanesha offers a personal route into how Katrina affected a New Orleans neighbourhood. For a fuller picture of the disaster and its aftermath, pair the story with historical accounts.

The approaching storm, rising floodwater and danger to the children create sustained peril. Mama Ya-Ya’s death is also part of the story, bringing grief into the disaster narrative.

If Lanesha’s account leaves you wondering about life beyond the storm, what historical accounts might help you understand the wider effects of Katrina on the Ninth Ward?

Consider reading together or checking in after the storm scenes and Mama Ya-Ya’s death. If useful, follow the story with factual accounts of Katrina to explore how a fictional child’s perspective relates to wider history.