I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel (I Survived Graphic Novel #6) (6) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel (I Survived Graphic Novel #6) (6)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

88%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

It’s the literary equivalent of a disaster movie, but actually educational and way less likely to give them nightmares than the nightly news.

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel (I Survived Graphic Novel #6) (6)

book

2022

88%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

It’s the literary equivalent of a disaster movie, but actually educational and way less likely to give them nightmares than the nightly news.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't just another 'disaster of the week' book. Lauren Tarshis has basically cornered the market on making kids care about history by putting them right in the middle of it. The graphic novel adaptation specifically is a win because it uses the art to show the scale of the flooding in a way text sometimes can't for a 9-year-old.

It's intense, sure. There’s a dog in danger, a sick sibling, and a kid floating on a roof. But it’s the good kind of intense—the kind that builds empathy and makes them ask questions about why things happened the way they did. If your kid is a 'reluctant reader,' this is the gateway drug to actually liking books.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8 to 12. It’s the sweet spot for kids who want 'real' stories but aren't ready for full-on YA angst or adult non-fiction.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The story centers on family loyalty and the protagonist's drive to protect his sister and his dog. It handles a massive tragedy with a focus on human resilience rather than just the carnage.

Imaginative

While it's historical fiction, the graphic novel format does a great job of visually reconstructing a lost version of New Orleans and helping kids visualize the physics and scale of a hurricane.

Safe

It's a book about a disaster, so there is high peril, flooding, and destruction. However, it's written specifically for the elementary/middle school demographic with no 'surprise' adult content or gore.

Enriching

High marks for the backmatter alone. It includes real photos and facts about Katrina, the Ninth Ward, and the science of the storm, making it a stealth history lesson.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The graphic novel format is a total cheat code for kids who usually find history books about as exciting as a tax audit.
It doesn't sugarcoat the reality of Katrina, but it keeps the focus on Barry’s resilience rather than just the tragedy.
The non-fiction section at the back is gold for turning a story into a real-world geography and science lesson.
Great for visual learners who need to see the scale of the flooding to really 'get' the history.

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What to Watch For

The 'separation from parents' trope is in full effect here, which can be a trigger for more sensitive kids or those with separation anxiety.
There are some pretty intense panels of the flooding and the destruction of the Ninth Ward that might feel heavy for younger readers.

Conversation Starters

"If we had to leave the house in ten minutes, what's the one thing you're grabbing (besides your iPad)?"
"Why do you think some people couldn't leave New Orleans before the storm hit?"
"Barry had to be really brave on his own—what's the scariest thing you've ever handled?"

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