The tension mounts irresistibly as Hurricane Katrina approaches. Reesie's friends are fleeing, urgent texts flit back and forth, and tension between Reesie's parents adds to the stress of the unknown. Then we see the aftermath and how the tragedy affected young and old in different ways. There's also a rich sense of New Orleans' unique culture represented in Reesie's life. A survival story with strong family ties at its center. ( )

FINDING SOMEPLACE by Denise Lewis Patrick is the gripping story of a young teen’s experiences surviving Hurricane Katrina.

Written for middle grade youth, this compelling work of historical fiction begins a few days before the hurricane as Teresa prepares for her 13th birthday. Unaware of the severity of the storm, Teresa is caught in the 9th Ward when the levee breaks. The rest of the story follows her escape, temporary move to New Jersey, and return home.

Patrick’s well-developed characters draw readers into the culture of New Orleans. Her authentic portrayal of the disaster and its aftermath are shocking realistic.

It’s been a decade since this disaster, so it’s important to revisit this event with a new generation of youth. Librarians will find the combination of disaster, suspense, and real-life popular with youth. Pair it with nonfiction works about forces of nature and other books about natural disasters.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.deniselewispatrick.com/.

Published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan on August 4, 2015. ARC from NetGalley. ( )

The weekend she turns thirteen, aspiring clothing designer Teresa "Reesie" Boone is separated from her family by Hurricane Katrina but, during the horrific storm and its aftermath, begins to find strength in herself. ( )