Saint Louis Armstrong Beach
Product ID: 7121509
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A boy, a dog, and New Orleans' most famous storm—Hurricane Katrina. Saint is a boy with confidence as big as his name is long. A budding musician, he earns money playing clarinet for the New Orleans tourists, and his best friend is a stray dog named Shadow. At first Saint is sure that Hurricane Katrina will be just like the last one--no big deal. But then the city is ordered to evacuate and Saint refuses to leave without Shadow. Saint and Shadow flee to his neighbor's attic--and soon enough it's up to Saint to save them all. "Woods takes us right into New Orleans, right into the eye of the storm and the heart of New Orleans' people." — Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winnng author of Brown Girl Dreaming "Provides a vivid description of what life was like in pre-Katrina New Orleans, and how quickly peoples' lives were shattered. The characters are well-developed, and readers truly will care about their fates." — Library Media Connection , starred review "A small gem that sparkles with hope, resilience and the Crescent City's unique, jazz-infused spirit." — Kirkus Reviews , starred review Review: About a boy, his dog, his clarinet and Katrina - Wonderful childrens' book that gives kids an idea of what Hurricane Katrina felt like from the perspective of a 12 year old Black boy in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, a historically and musically significant neighborhood that, according to Wikipedia, sustained mild-moderate damage from the ravages of Katrina. This middle school level adventure-in-the-midst-of-disaster is kept light without feeling too light for the subject matter. It's a suspenseful page turner and a quick read. The boy, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach, is equally devoted to his dog and his clarinet. With his dog nearby, he plays on street corners and saves his money for a new clarinet and his dream education at Julliard. A planner for all contingencies, Saint is ready for the hurricane with a collar and leash for his free-spirited dog. But the dog is not especially cooperative with being protected and lends the suspense to the story. Saint also heroically (realistically) helps some vulnerable adults along the way, while his parents do the same at the hospital where his mom is a dedicated social worker. It's a very vivid depiction of how the community can be the most important means of survival in situations where there is no one else to help. Saint's voice and the dialogue between himself and the people who love him flow off the page like warm butter. Comic moments arise. The characters are well-realized and highly loveable, especially the adult musicians Saint hangs out with. The book did leave me with a question on behalf of young readers. Saint is warned in a dream not to go to the Superdome, the "shelter of last resort" but we never learn from the narrative why that was a bad place to go. Outside the book's bounds, we know from news reports that it was a terrifying place for those who were forced to go, especially for children and that would be a much darker story than this tale, but a brief description of the chaos there would have been nice for educational value and for the sake of that small loose end. My 12 year old son found this book in his school library and he loved it too. Reading is often a chore for him but not so with this book! He says it gave him shivers. Review: Timely story! - Even though the kids now weren't around to remember Hurricane Katrina, with all of the recent hurricanes in the news, it gives this story new relevancy! The "voices" in the story ring true! I am reading it to three 5th grade classes, so I'm reading the same chapters from it 3 times a week, but it's so good I don't get tired reading it!!
| Best Sellers Rank | #775,574 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1,405 in Children's Black & African American Story Books #3,334 in Children's Dog Books (Books) #13,675 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 111 Reviews |
S**D
About a boy, his dog, his clarinet and Katrina
Wonderful childrens' book that gives kids an idea of what Hurricane Katrina felt like from the perspective of a 12 year old Black boy in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, a historically and musically significant neighborhood that, according to Wikipedia, sustained mild-moderate damage from the ravages of Katrina. This middle school level adventure-in-the-midst-of-disaster is kept light without feeling too light for the subject matter. It's a suspenseful page turner and a quick read. The boy, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach, is equally devoted to his dog and his clarinet. With his dog nearby, he plays on street corners and saves his money for a new clarinet and his dream education at Julliard. A planner for all contingencies, Saint is ready for the hurricane with a collar and leash for his free-spirited dog. But the dog is not especially cooperative with being protected and lends the suspense to the story. Saint also heroically (realistically) helps some vulnerable adults along the way, while his parents do the same at the hospital where his mom is a dedicated social worker. It's a very vivid depiction of how the community can be the most important means of survival in situations where there is no one else to help. Saint's voice and the dialogue between himself and the people who love him flow off the page like warm butter. Comic moments arise. The characters are well-realized and highly loveable, especially the adult musicians Saint hangs out with. The book did leave me with a question on behalf of young readers. Saint is warned in a dream not to go to the Superdome, the "shelter of last resort" but we never learn from the narrative why that was a bad place to go. Outside the book's bounds, we know from news reports that it was a terrifying place for those who were forced to go, especially for children and that would be a much darker story than this tale, but a brief description of the chaos there would have been nice for educational value and for the sake of that small loose end. My 12 year old son found this book in his school library and he loved it too. Reading is often a chore for him but not so with this book! He says it gave him shivers.
N**N
Timely story!
Even though the kids now weren't around to remember Hurricane Katrina, with all of the recent hurricanes in the news, it gives this story new relevancy! The "voices" in the story ring true! I am reading it to three 5th grade classes, so I'm reading the same chapters from it 3 times a week, but it's so good I don't get tired reading it!!
A**N
Uftyfyr
If ugh if it it it it it it it it it it it it it ug didn't big fire fantastic her hush out book if bc Terry in her set bc school my vol if to hi or something anyways? Edit! Edit. Com and blue. I don't know what you mean but it was a cat with the sunset. Edit for me and the night I don't know that Terry was the sunset and he had to get to his head and a broom and a lot to be able to get to the reason they would help me.
L**G
My Son Loved It
My 12 year old loved this book. I was very surprised, because he usually reads Percy Jackson-type books--super powered kids saving the world--but he couldn't put this down and he actually talked to me about it afterward. Highly recommend. It's also pretty short, which can be good or bad. My son is a fast reader so he was done with it in a couple of days, so I could count that as a downside in my case, but length is not really something I can objectively grade on, just thought I would mention it.
C**E
Great book! Son could not put it down!
Our ten year old son LOVED this book! He is a reluctant reader...unless he has a book he loves...and then he won't put it down. This is a book he didn't want to end. Both my husband and I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. A great book for reluctant readers and enthusiasts alike. Can't rate it highly enough!
L**H
Sweet novel that should be read by adults as well as 'young readers.'
I loved the novel which takes place in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina and written through the eyes of a boy named Saint Louis Beach. Very engaging and another book hard to put down.
M**L
Fine read
Bought for our schools Battle of the Books. Great story.
K**B
Great story for our family.
Living in the panhandle of Florida and experiencing first hand Hurricane Ivan in 2004, this is a true to life story about a boy and his dog surviving Hurricane Katrina in 2005. My ten year old recommended it to me.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
1 month ago