THE HURRICANE GIRLS at first seems like a straightforward story, but there is so much more to it. It’s complex, layered, and very satisfying.
From the publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books, August 2023
A coming-of-age middle grade novel about three best friends born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina who must confront storms of their own 12 years later, from a National Book Award winning author.
Born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Greer, Joya Mia, and Kiki are seventh graders and the best of friends. After an accident leaves Greer's little sister paralyzed, Greer is forever changed by the experience and blames herself. Kiki and Joya Mia will do anything to help Greer let go of this emotional burden, and a plan is hatched to compete in a triathlon. Each girl will participate: Kiki will swim, Joya Mia will cycle, and Greer, if they can persuade her, will run—something she once loved to do.
Set on the Westbank of New Orleans, this contemporary coming-of-age novel is a journey of growth, healing, and difficult transitions as the girls navigate their many life challenges: family trauma, body insecurity, and the conflict between ambition and responsibility. It's a powerful and enlightening exploration of how to surmount personal tragedy through friendship and forgiveness.
Each chapter is told by one of the three girls, so you get to experience all the issues the girls are dealing with: guilt, self-blame, body and self-insecurity, first romance, first job and responsibility. And those are just the main plots. The subplots add dimension and opens the reader to different experiences. Of course, set in New Orleans is a fantastic character, too.
I think the biggest themes are friendship and communication. There’s a lot of heart.
