Between the years of 19, he was a teacher to incarcerated adolescents on Riker’s Island, New York City’s main jail facility. Author Information Paul Volponi is a teacher, a writer, and a journalist who lives in New York City. Struggling to survive in the Superdome, he realizes what is important and what people need to get through the storms of life. Reader’s Annotation When Miles chooses to live with his jazz musician father permanently, his relationship is put to the test when Hurricane Katrina threatens New Orleans. At the end, the theme of hope and perseverance will inspire readers. Readers will be able to relate to the complicated father-son relationship.

Through it all is Doc and Uncle Roy’s love of jazz, which exemplifies the strong culture of music that lives in New Orleans. Explicit language and derogatory terms bring to the forefront the racism and terrible experience endured by the people trapped in the Superdome. Furthermore, the dialogue is rich with expletives and while some might be offended, it would be unrealistic to have anything other than that. For example, Miles says, “Mom would bust on me whenever I complained about it” (4). The language of this first-person narration told with the voice of Miles is full of Southern dialect, which adds to the realism of the place and the characters. Also, each chapter begins with the date and time tension builds as the hurricane approaches. Now, though, it is home to the thousands of people seeking refuge from the storm. Of course, the significance of this song must not be overlooked: it is the Saints football team that calls the Superdome home. Each chapter opens with a stanza of the song “When the Saints Come Marching In,” which cleverly sets the stage and foreshadows the events of the chapter. The setting of Hurricane Song is the backdrop and the catalyst for everything that occurs within the plot.

Hurricane song by paul volponi