Zane and the Hurricane: Interactive Read Aloud
Connections Guide for Vocabulary, Iowa Core Sign Posts
Common Core State Standards Connections:
Narrative Comprehension / Foundational Skills / Language / Writing / Speaking & ListeningQuote from the Text (L.5.1)
Summarize (L.5.2)
Characters (L.5.3)
Reading Words (L.5.4)
Chapters Fit Together (L.5.5)
Narrator’s Point of View (L.5.6) / Phonics and Word Recognition (RF.5.3)
Reading Fluency (RF.5.4) / Grammar (L.5.1)
Conventions (L.5.2; L.5.3)
Vocabulary (L.5.4)
Figurative Language (L.5.5) / Narrative Writing (W.5.3)
Task, Purpose, and Audience (W.5.4)
Short Research Projects(W.5.7)
Recall Relevant Information (W.5.8) / Collaborative Discussions (SL.5.1)
Summarize Written Text Aloud (SL.5.2)
Summarize Speaker (SL.5.3)
Report on a Topic (SL.5.4)
Adapt Speech to Context (SL.5.6)
Geography / Human Behaviors Decisions (BS) / History / Economics / Government/Politics
Use Geographic Tools (G.5.1)
Geography Creates Culture and Regions (G.5.2)
Human Factors and Distribution of Resources Affect Development of Society and Movement of Populations (G.5.3)
Humans Modify Environment (G.5.4) / Changing Nature of Society (BS.5.1)
Influences on Individual and Group Behaviors and Decision Making (BS.5.2)
Impact of Personality and Socialization Have on the Individual (BS.5.3)
Process for Human Adaptation to Environment (BS.5.4)
Current Social Issues Determine How Individuals Respond (BS.5.5) / Historical Patterns (H.5.1)
Historical Pattern, Authority, and Governance (H.5.2)
Cultural Diffusion (H.5.3)
Promoters of Change and Status Quo (H.5.4)
Economic Needs and Wants (H.5.5)
Effect of Geographic Features on Events (H.5.6)
Role of Innovation (H.5.7) / Role of Scarcity and Economic Trade-Offs (E.5.1)
Governments Influence Economic Behavior (E.5.3)
Interdependence (E.5.4)
Universal Economic Concepts (E.5.6) / Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens (PS/CL.5.1)
Democracy and Republicanism (PS/CL.5.2)
Varying Levels of Government (PS/CL.5.5)
Overview:Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances. For a book commercial/talk, click here.
Non-Fiction Connections (Resources):
Katrina Timeline 2005 (from the book)
Interesting Facts about New Orleans and the Great Flood (from the book)
New Orleans Geography (maps from the book)
The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley
Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City by Jed Horne
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts by Spike Lee (documentary)
Trouble the Water by Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (documentary)
Katrina Survivors Stories
Chapter by Chapter Guide:
Chapter Summary / Potential Vocabulary Focus / Sign Post ConnectionsChapter 1: My Stupid Trip to Smellyville
Zane describes the event that led to him being sent to New Orleans at the same time a tropical storm develops. / fault; weepy; pleading; sobbing; connecting; eventually; agreement; century; understatement; New Orleans; Mississippi; tropical depression / Memory Moment: Zane remembers the day he is told he’s going to New Orleans.
Chapter 2: What the Old Lady Said
Zane meets his great grandmother in New Orleans. / wicked; ancient; hunched; wrinkled; wobbly; existed; favor; terminal; unbelievably; moldy / Contrasts and Contradictions: Zane’s reaction to his grandmother.
Chapter 3: Older than Dirt
Zane starts to learn more about his father (his own history), but a mystery about his father’s life begins to unfold. / hurricane; biracial; multiracial; Saxon; Celts; Creole; Cherokee; Chinese; ancestors; Negro; French; African; complicated; impolite; figurines; brimming / Again and Again: Zane’s father’s life before he met his mom continues to be questioned.
Chapter 4: Fly Like Superman
Zane continues his time in New Orleans, but the topic of his father’s history and his uncle’s death continue to be ignored. The storm escalates. / museum; rotary dial; channel; gospel; whimper; whooshing; determined; shushing; riled up; / Again and Again: Zane wants to know about his uncle’s death, but the topic is avoided again and again.
Memory Moment: Miss Trissy tells stories of the old days.
Aha Moment: Zane’s mom calls and tells him he needs to get out of the city. The storm is coming.
Chapter 5: Rise Up and Go
Zane’s plan to leave the city hits a snag. Zane and Miss Trissy go to church as the storm moves closer. / muggy; psyched; fetch; fluttering; invisible; skitter; sorrowfully; clapboards; saggy; pastor; stomping; chorus; maniac / Memory Moment: Miss Trissy thinks back to previous storms that affected New Orleans.
Contrasts and Contradictions: The escape plan doesn’t work.
Again and Again: The tension for the storm keeps coming up in emotions expressed by the characters.
Chapter 6: Dumb and Dumber
Zane and Miss Trissy board the bus to leave the city. On their way out of the city, something happens that will put Zane’s life at risk. / jammed; abandoned; relented; contraflow; evacuate; vicious; snarling; depended; slavering; maneuver; lurching; frustrated; guardrail; dodging; peering; scampers; intends / Contrasts and Contradictions: Zane and the dog jump out of the bus.
Aha Moment: Zane – Decision to save the dog.
Tough Questions: Zane – Will I save my dog?
Again and Again: Zane’s feelings for his dog are presented again; the seriousness of the storm is building.
Chapter 7: When the Wind Screams
Zane continues to chase the dog back to his grandmother’s neighborhood. He takes refuge in his grandma’s house as the storm arrives. / exhaust; scoots; apologizing; scampers; clapboard; trotting; quivering; miserable; criminal; sponge; slurping; rattles; shiver; lonesome; dreaded; obviously; shrieking; invisible; glimmer; whimpers; receiver / Aha Moment: Zane realizes not many people are left in the neighborhood.
Words of the Wiser: Mom – Don’t argue.
Again and Again: Intensity of the storm.
Chapter 8: Something Big and Bad
Alone with his dog, Zane is attacked when the storm hits the neighborhood. The flooding begins. / slams; rattling; hunkers; whimpering; explodes; crouched; tornado; hurricane; howling; shrill; stuttering; quiver; violently; flocks; eerie; ingredients; spatters; lolling; invades; streaming; convinced; dampening; expanding; protected; thump; booming; manhole; geyser; torrents; surge; pours; spilling; debris / Contrasts and Contradictions: Zane falls asleep in the middle of the storm.
Aha Moment: Zane is begging for help; recognizing the seriousness of the storm.
Again and Again: The seriousness of the storm is described over and over.
Chapter 9: Trapped
As the storm rages outside, the house starts to flood. Zane and Bandy must try to climb into the attic to escape the rising water. / frantic; gushes; throbs; panels; squirts; discovered; panic; streaming; instantly; desperately; hoist; barely; dimness; amazing; swirling; hatchet; scramble; rafters / Aha Moment: Zane realizing what he must do to escape the rising water.
Words of the Wiser: Miss Trissy tells Zane earlier about escaping to the attic.
Memory Moment: Zane remembers his grandmother’s story of the previous hurricanes as a hint about what to do; PE class chin-ups.
Chapter 10: A Face in the Window
Trapped in the attic, Zane and Bandy must try to escape. A new character is introduced. / desperate; presses; foundation; gurgling; filthy; unbearably; budged; slants; hoarse; wriggle; peering; glinting; squirms; urge; furious; visible; reflection; gliding; blazing; pathetic; clockwork; molten / Contrasts and Contradictions: Zane seems to keep falling asleep in crisis.
Aha Moment: Zane’s attic escape plan.
Tough Questions: Zane questioning his decisions.
Chapter 11: The Big Whoops
Zane and Bandy attempt to escape the hot attic into the swell of flood water brought ashore by the storm. / battered; balance; scrawny; Mad Hatter; brim; exclamation point; rumbly; boil; whines; guides; crouched; teases; mischief; insists; spooked; maneuver; alongside; launches; freaked; bobbing / Aha Moment: Realization of dangers of the floodwater and storm.
Again and Again: Dangers of floodwater and storm.
Chapter 12: Terrible Things
Zane learns more about his new friends and they witness some of the dangers of the floodwater firsthand. / impressed; calm; balanced; firm; transportation; scoops; brim; compartment; clunky; strokes; glide; announces; exclaims; triumphant; notion; jamming; studio; insists; filthy; submerged; recognize; nowadays; glittering; muggy; swarming; creature; swarm; barge; bobbing; remains; hymn / Aha Moment: Zane pays attention to what’s in the water.
Again and Again: Things floating in the water.
Chapter 13: When It Can’t Get Worse
Zane and his friends take refuge in an apartment. He discovers that his new friends may know something about his father. The safety of the apartment comes to an end abruptly. / dreary; submerged; remains; squints; mischievous; landline; yelps; eagerly; jaunty; oblige; temporary; jutting out; canceled; fuss; ancient; common; react; approves; procession; solemn; deceased; mournful; shudders; recollection; transportation; swarms / Aha Moment: Mr. Tru knows Zane’s father.
Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru points out commonality between Zane and Malvina.
Again and Again: Dangers aboud.
Chapter 14: In the Dark of the World
Zane and his friends try to hide from the sounds of gunshots in the night. / advertise; half-submerged; evacuated; particular; glancing; exhausted / Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru says there is no police; no fire department.
Memory Moment: Zane remembers what got him to this point as he struggles to stay awake.
Chapter 15: Snake City
Zane and his friends make it through the night and head back out in their canoe. A new danger slithers its way onto their path. / Algiers; triumphant; glistens; swoop; billows; wrinkles; chugging; oars; Cajun; pirogue; dissolving; lonesome; prospect; commentary; glide; indulgently; undulating; slithering; glistening; scaly / Again and Again: The relationship between Malvina and her mom is mentioned again, leaving Zane wonder what happened to her mom.
Chapter 16: Smoke on the Water
The smell of grilling offers hope for a possible place to take refuge in the storm. However, the excitement of a good meal may be lowered by someone from Malvina’s past. / slithered; wrecked; barges; realize; familiar; nudging; grimaces; moly; propped; rusty; pouring; crowding; merrier; unofficial; managed; landlines; levees; heaped; particular; mentions / Aha Moment: Mr. Tru hurt his foot.
Chapter 17: Bad Trouble
The stranger presents a threat that must be dealt with. / bolt; expression; mention; unfortunate; grudgingly; favor; disappear; satisfied; extra; fuss; battered; manage; explodes; saunters; glinting; bothered / Contrasts and Contradictions: Malvina’s reaction to the stranger makes her quiet.
Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru tells them to run and get the canoe.
Again and Again: Mystery of Malvina’s mom is mentioned again.
Chapter 18: Come Hell or High Water
Zane learns the story of what happened to Malvina’s mother and what Dylan Toomey wanted. / stiff; insists; announces; addict; faith; shrugs; arrested; possession; dope; obvious; mermaid; resuming; quest; Red Cross / Contrasts and Contradictions: The reasons for Dylan Toomey’s actions are explained.
Aha Moment: Malvina explains what happened to her mother.
Chapter 19: A Patch of Grass
The crew arrives in a new area of the city after escaping from Dylan Toomey. They investigate this “stately” area. / promotion; smart-mouthing; probably; stifling; smeared; fearsome; ruined; grateful; advises; miserable; swarms; swatting; donate; evacuated; hereabouts; uneasily; stately / Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru, “Keep hold of his collar.”
Memory Moment: Zane has a memory from his birthday involving Bandit and his mother.
Chapter 20: What Shines in the Fierce Sunlight
The crew investigates the neighborhood they’ve discovered. A helicopter descends but the help they are looking for may not be what they find. / obvious; generators; shutters; mutters; convince; presenting; confetti; shrubbery; scattered; intricate; grander; approaching; throttle; subsiding; limping; simmering; unbearable; heed; fancy; barricade; columns; enormous; swarm; launching; bothersome; hellion; predations; looters; hemming and hawing / Contrasts and Contradictions:Mr. Tru is forced to the ground by a man with a gun; Malvina jumps on a man with a gun.
Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru, “Best not to dwell on.”
Again and Again: Mr. Tru is limping a lot by this point.
Chapter 21: Like an Animal Crawling Away
Zane is questioned by the men with guns. / victim; posse; caressing; defiant; ignorant; opportunity; resentful; looters; cargo; valuable; Oriental carpets; sabotage; inventoried; fulfilled; deterred; purpose; elsewhere; crunching; premises; squad / Contrasts and Contradictions: The rugs are being rescued, but not the people.
Chapter 22: Leave a Message, Please
A man offers the crew some food… and a phone. Zane calls his mom, but has to leave a message. The crew makes a plan only to discover they’ve lost something very important. / levees; bulky; clenched; disciplined; demented; lame; maniac; missile; boarded-up; notion; Algiers / Contrasts and Contradictions: The canoe is gone.
Aha Moment: Zane cries when leaving a message for his mom.
Again and Again: Malvina telling jokes; Mr. Tru’s foot needs a doctor.
Chapter 23: All the Way Dark
The crew decides to head for the Superdome. They must stop and rest for the night. / glaring; knobby; generators; thoughtful; Superdome; last resort; transportation; battered; limping; fearsome; soggy; plumes; wreckage; barfed up; progress; swollen; heed; sprained; intact; plywood; jammed; patience; jackknife; deliciousness; Algiers; urgently / Contrasts and Contradictions:Mr. Tru yelling about his canoe; the alliance of Malvina and Zane.
Aha Moment: Malvina’s declaration of her feelings for Zane.
Tough Questions: Zane and sharing food with his dog.
Words of the Wiser: Malvina’s thoughts about what Mr. Tru will try to do regarding his foot.
Again and Again: Mr. Tru still limping; Algiers; the mystery of Zane’s father
Chapter 24: Top of the Ten
The crew continue in the trek to the Superdome, but Mr. Tru can’t walk. Zane and Malina must figure out how to keep moving forward. / ambulance; disobedient; faints; expression; discouraged; scampering; familiar; tugging; weaving; infectious / Contrasts and Contradictions: Zane going after Malina, leaving Bandy with Mr. Tru.
Aha Moment: The wheelchair.
Words of the Wiser: Mr. Tru telling Zane to go with Malina.
Again and Again: Malvina’s jokes.
Chapter 25: Broken People
The crew arrives at the Superdome to discover it is a mistake. Dylan Toomey returns. / decorated; huddled; tumble; zombies; reeks; crammed; wailing; drenched; National Guard; attempting; Houston; Atlanta; levee; insists; defiance; embarrassed / Contrasts and Contradictions: The Superdome is a mistake.
Words of the Wiser: Malvina responding to Mr. Tru.
Again and Again: Dylan Toomey
Chapter 26: A Big Pile of Stink
The crew launches an escape from Dylan Toomey yet again. / tempting; casually; displaying; shuffling; saunters; entirely; attracted; interfering; situation; launch; distract; gangsta; thug; confident; outstretched; urge; leaking; overwhelming; deafening; rattling; amusement / Contrasts and Contradictions: Malvina stops Mr. Tru and takes control of the situation.
Again and Again: Malvina’s mom is used against her.
Chapter 27: Stupid Water
Zane and Malvina search for a new plan. Mr. Tru becomes sick. / Algiers; blazing; mutters; wandering; decisions; doubtfully; wobbly; dazed; mention; Red Cross; overwhelmed; futile; scurries / Contrasts and Contradictions: Malvina is crying as she tries to wheel Mr. Tru to safety.
Aha Moment: The kids realize Mr. Tru is getting sick.
Chapter 28: Wonder Dog
The crew heads across the bridge to Algiers. Warned to stop, Malvina keeps pushing forward. Bandit, the Wonder Dog, shows his true colors. / staggering; exhausted; desperate; sloping incline; invading; cannibal; bantering; shivering; perspective; disaster; horizon; swollen; clotted; tollbooths; tangled; megaphone; parish; blockade; punished; nonresidents; confused; parade; crouched; threatening; demonstrating; determined; ferocious; defiantly; armored vests; swarm; order; ram; barricade; growling / Contrasts and Contradictions: Malvina keeps pushing through.