The Hurricane Girls

by Kimberly Willis Holt

Overview

A coming-of-age middle grade novel about three best friends born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina who must confront storms of their own 12 years later, from a National Book Award-winning author.

★ "Holt takes time developing these characters, allowing readers to see both their individual and collective growth in this appealing and sensitive novel."​—The Horn Book, starred review

Born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Greer, Joya Mia, and Kiki are seventh graders and the best of friends. After an accident leaves Greer's little sister paralyzed, Greer is forever changed by the experience and blames herself. Kiki and Joya Mia will do anything to help Greer let go of this emotional burden, and a plan is hatched to compete in a triathlon. Each girl will participate: Kiki will swim, Joya Mia will cycle, and Greer, if they can persuade her, will run—something she once loved to do. 

Set on the Westbank of New Orleans, this contemporary coming-of-age novel is a journey of growth, healing, and difficult transitions as the girls navigate their many life challenges: family trauma, body insecurity, and the conflict between ambition and responsibility. It's a powerful and enlightening exploration of how to surmount personal tragedy through friendship and forgiveness.

"A tender and triumphant story about friendship and family, in a proud and resilient city."―Deborah Wiles, author of the National Book Award finalists Each Little Bird That Sings and Revolution

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316326155
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/25/2025
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	9 - 14 Years

About the Author

Kimberly Willis Holt is the award-winning author of more than twenty books for a wide range of ages, including When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, recipient of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She writes and gardens in Texas.  

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Hurricane Girls:

* "The girls’ slowly deepening understanding of themselves gives this book its heart. Like their rebuilt city, this friendship cannot reconstitute as an exact replica of what they had before…. Holt takes time developing these characters, allowing readers to see both their individual and collective growth in this appealing and sensitive novel."—The Horn Book, starred review

"Interpersonal conflicts threaten the friendship of three New Orleans seventh graders in this slice-of-life novel by Holt (The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas).... Nuanced relationship dynamics paired with complex characterizations drive this grounded look at the ways in which the aftermath of tragedy can reverberate long after the event and how community and connection can pave a path toward healing."
 —Publishers Weekly

"Holt’s involving third-person narrative shifts focus, chapter by chapter, from one girl to the next and portrays their family relationships as well as the intricately interwoven thoughts, emotions, and memories that bind them together. While some readers may be drawn to one girl in particular, most will find themselves rooting for all three main characters in this engaging novel."—Booklist

"A tender and triumphant story about friendship and family, in a proud and resilient city."—Deborah Wiles, author of the National Book Award finalists Each Little Bird That Sings and Revolution

"Another outstanding novel by one of my favorite authors. Set after Hurricane Katrina, our three girls are all dealing with issues that every girl can relate to—it's Holt's superpower to bring a contemporary novel to our young readers."—Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

"This is a wonderful story of friendship and strength."—Judith Lafitte, co-owner of Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA

Praise for Kimberly Willis Holt:
National Book Award - Winner   
ALA Best Books for Young Adults  
ALA Notable Children's Books  
Booklist Editors' Choice  
Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List   
School Library Best Books of the Year  
Georgia Children's Book Award (U of GA)  
Illinois Rebecca Caudill YR Choice Award   
New Mexico Land of Enchantment  
NYPL Books for the Teen Age  
Texas Bluebonnet Award  
Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award

* "In this companion to the author’s memorable When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, 30 years have passed and it’s 2001. Evocatively written (“stiff as burnt bacon”), this is an altogether absorbing and affecting novel. It’s obvious that Holt loves her fully realized characters and their small-town setting, and readers can’t help but feel the same." —Booklist, starred review on The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas 

* "The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels." —School Library Journal, starred review on Dear Hank Williams

"This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country. Kimberly Willis Holt's When Zachary Beaver Came to Town will resonate with readers." —USA Today on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town 

"Holt may not take her readers on wild flights of fantasy, but her quiet novel offers a slice of life that's hard to resist." —New York Times Book Review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town

* "As in her first novel, My Louisiana Sky, Holt humanizes the outsider without sentimentality.... Holt reveals the freak in all of us, and the power of redemption." —Booklist, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town 

* "In her own down-to-earth, people, smart way, Holt offers a gift.... It is a lovely—at times even giddy—date with real life." —The Horn Book, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town 

* "Well-developed characters, all fantastic and flawed in their own ways, add plenty of spice." —Publishers Weekly, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town 

* "With tidbits of history woven throughout and the rich cast of characters, especially an endearing protagonist, Dear Hank Williams is a novel that sings from the heart."

—VOYA, starred review on Dear Hank Williams

From the Publisher

07/03/2023

Interpersonal conflicts threaten the friendship of three New Orleans seventh graders in this slice-of-life novel by Holt (The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas). Because she went for a run instead of minding her younger sister, Greer believes that the traffic accident that resulted in her sibling needing a wheelchair is her fault. To lift Greer’s spirits, best friend Kiki proposes that she, Greer, and their other friend Joya Mia—who dubbed themselves the Hurricane Girls after their collaboration on a school project about Hurricane Katrina—compete in a relay triathlon. But the race’s events present problems for the trio: Kiki cannot swim despite attempting to learn in the pool her father had installed before he abandoned their family, Joya Mia shares her rusted old bike with her financially struggling household, and Greer doesn’t want to run at all following her sister’s accident. Myriad growing pains surrounding school, money, body image, and the future further imperil their bond. Nuanced relationship dynamics paired with complex characterizations drive this grounded look at the ways in which the aftermath of tragedy can reverberate long after the event and how community and connection can pave a path toward healing. Greer and Kiki read as white; Joya Mia is Mexican American. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

2023-06-08
Three New Orleans friends born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina confront emotional challenges as they train for a triathlon.

Greer, Kiki, and Joya Mia have been inseparable ever since a sixth grade project on Hurricane Katrina brought them together. But a year later, their trio is drifting apart. After Darby, Greer’s 7-year-old sister, was hit by a truck eight months ago and lost the use of her legs, aspiring track star Greer has been distant. Greer blames herself for the accident leading to Darby’s paralysis—and she’s convinced her mom blames her too. Joya Mia and Kiki think joining an upcoming team triathlon might help Greer heal, but roadblocks abound. Greer can’t bring herself to run again. Kiki has trouble keeping commitments, and swimming makes her self-conscious about her weight. Joya Mia enjoys cycling, but her family’s money troubles make it difficult to obtain the proper equipment. In alternating third-person perspectives, the girls realistically discover strengths and confront fears as they struggle to stay a team. Greer’s experience forms the core of the plot: Holt poignantly explores the accident’s impact on Greer and her parents, and Greer’s counseling sessions are particularly well depicted. But Darby herself feels underdeveloped, and her mom’s framing of one story element risks positioning Darby in readers’ minds as contributing a life lesson for nondisabled people. Joya Mia is Mexican American; Greer and Kiki are cued white.

An uplifting portrait of friendship and healing. (author’s note) (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews