Hurricane Kartrina

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-Typical of the series, this book is a collection of brief articles presenting contrasting views of the disaster. It includes discussions of the government's preparedness and response; the proper role for government; whether to rebuild New Orleans; the accuracy of news reporting; and racism and global warming as factors in the disaster. The list of authors, which includes journalists, think-tank scholars, university professors, and some prominent politicians (Carol Moseley Braun, George W. Bush, and Tom Vilsack), represents a variety of viewpoints in discussing the major controversies that arose as a result of the hurricane. Though no overall consensus emerges, the book shows how a single event can be interpreted differently by those of differing politics. Most articles are four to five pages long, and each one is preceded by a brief summary of its main points and a description of its author's credentials. There is a good bibliography, and a list of organizations to contact for more information includes a brief description of each institution's focus. An excellent introduction to the controversies surrounding the Katrina debacle.-Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.