Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense nonfiction graphic novel chronicles 2005 disaster.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, overwhelming the levees that were supposed to protect the city. Eighty percent of the city flooded, and more than 1,400 people lost their lives. DROWNED CITY chronicles the tragedy and triumph of those dark days, depicting brave rescues, widespread neglect, and brutal conditions.
Is It Any Good?
There have been many nonfiction accounts from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but this book does a great job of presenting a nuanced overview that's suitable for young readers. Brown's text and illustrations convey the enormity of the storm and its aftermath without being overwhelming in intensity. Individual acts of bravery and kindness are contrasted against scenes of avoidable tragedy and terrible neglect. There's a political message here about the arrogance and incompetence of the federal and local governments, but it's subtly rendered through the simple statement of documented facts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how governments respond to natural disasters. What could have been done to prevent the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina? What went wrong in the days after the storm? Did politics play a role?
What do you think of the graphic novel as a format for exploring historical events. Have you read any others?
How can your family be better prepared for a natural disaster? What plans should be in place to ensure a more positive outcome?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Don Brown
- Genre : History
- Topics : Adventures , History , STEM
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 4, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate