Character
Who is the main character in Ninth Ward?
Lanesha
In which city does Ninth Ward take place?
New Orleans
Why does Lanesha worry about the storm at the start?
She worries because storms can be dangerous, Mama Ya-Ya is nervous, and she senses that this storm might be especially bad.
What does the book show about family and community?
It shows that family and neighbors support and protect each other, and community is important during hard times.
What does the word "storm" mean?
A storm is very bad weather with strong wind, heavy rain, thunder, or lightning
What is Lanesha's special ability or gift in the story?
Which season or time of year does the story begin?
Summer
What major event forces some people to leave their homes?
The hurricane and the flooding (including three levee failures after Hurricane Katrina) force evacuations and sheltering.
How does Lanesha show bravery in the story?
She stays calm in danger, makes brave choices to survive, takes care of Mama Ya-Ya, helps others when she can, and keeps hope when things are scary.
What does it mean to "survive"? Use a short sentence with the word.
To survive means to stay alive during something dangerous.
Sentence: Lanesha had to be brave to survive the flood.
Name 2 people who helped Lanesha during the story.
Mama Ya-Ya and TaShon
What is the name of the neighborhood where Lanesha lives?
Ninth Ward, New Orleans
Tell one thing Lanesha does to try to stay safe during the hurricane
Based on the text:
- She buys and prepares food
She learns that hope helps people keep going, that believing in a better future gives strength, and that small acts of hope can lead to survival and healing.
The book uses the word "hurricane". Explain how a hurricane can change people's lives.
A hurricane can damage homes, make people lose their belongings or their life, force families. to move, and make people need help from others.
Describe Lanesha's grandmother (Mama Ya-Ya) in two sentences.
How does the setting affect Lanesha's life?(Youtube video 0:58-1:40)
The Ninth Ward is a low-lying neighborhood vulnerable to storms and flooding, which makes life risky; neighbors are close-knit and the storm and flood directly threaten their homes and safety.
What happens when TaShon goes to the Superdome for shelter?
- It is crowded and chaotic
- People are scared and tired
- Limited resources
How does the author show the idea of "helping others" in the book? Give one example from the story.
- Lanesha helps Mama Ya-Ya by being responsible during the hurricane
- The neighbors are helping each other
The book uses the word flood. Explain how a flood can change people's lives.
A flood can make roads unusable and cut people off from hospitals or stores, harm pets and animals, and lead to long cleanups and repairs. After a flood, neighbors must often work together to rebuild and support each other.
Explain how Lanesha changes from the beginning to the ending we have read.
In the beginning, Lanesha was shy and had no friends. In the end, Lanesha became brave and helped Mama Ya-Ya during the hurricane.
Describe two ways the weather or environment becomes important to the story.
The approaching hurricane causes fear and forces evacuation; the floodwaters damage homes; separate families, and create the main danger Lanesha must survive.
Summarize the climax (the most exciting and intense) of the story in 1-2 sentences.
The climax happens when Lanesha must survive the worst of the hurricane. She faces danger.
Choose one theme (survival, friendship, or bravery). Explain how the story develops that theme in the book.
Survival: Lanesha survives the hurricane and takes care of herself and Mama Ya-Ya
Friendship: Lanesha and Ginia are good friends.
Bravery: TaShon shows bravery by finding his way home by himself
This word means to stay safe after something bad happens.
Survive