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Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ninth Ward

Jewell Parker RhodesFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010

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Book Brief

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Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ninth Ward

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Orleans • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

HL470L

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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.

Emotional

Heartwarming

Melancholic

Inspirational

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.3

7,364 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.3

7,364 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Orleans • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

HL470L

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