69 pages • 2 hours read
Jewell Parker RhodesNinth Ward
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes follows 12-year-old Lanesha in New Orleans’s Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina, where she relies on her resourcefulness, resilience, and fortitude to survive the storm and subsequent flooding alongside her elderly caregiver, Mama Ya-Ya, and their neighbor, TaShon. This novel features themes of survival, community, and the supernatural.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jewell Parker Rhodes' Ninth Ward is praised for its compelling depiction of a young girl’s resilience during Hurricane Katrina, blending magical realism with real-life events. Critics laud its poignant narrative and strong characters, though some feel its pacing is uneven. Overall, it's seen as a powerful and emotional story for middle-grade readers.
Who Should Read Ninth Ward?
Fans of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and A Long Walk to Water will appreciate Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes. This poignant tale appeals to middle-grade and young adult readers who enjoy heartfelt, coming-of-age stories that tackle historical events through the eyes of resilient, young protagonists.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
HL470LBook Details
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
African American Literature
Relationships
Natural Disaster
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Family
Natural World: Environment