African American Read In (Ninth Ward)

I am hosting this Read In with two other bloggers, Edi from Crazy Quilts. and Vasilly from 1330v. This year’s read-in book is The Ninth Ward by Jewell Park Rhodes. My interview with the author. Readers are welcome to join at anytime.

Ninth Ward is the story of a young girl living in New Orleans right before Hurricane Katrina. Since the book’s publication in 2010, it’s been nominated and listed as a best book by several organizations including Goodreads, School Library Journal, and 2011-2012 The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award. Ninth Ward was also a 2010 middle grade fantasy Cybils finalists and a 2011 Coretta Scott King honor.

My first question is strange but here it is anyway. Many times when I read novels, I find myself moved by its rhythms and tempo that I associate with a particular genre of music. That being said what genre of music does Ninth Ward bring to mind? (Sometimes it helps to visual it)

The setting of New Orleans could be considered a character in its own right. How well do you think the author developed this central piece of Ninth Ward? If there anything you would've changed or wanted more of?

Vasilly had some great questions on Monday and be sure to check out Edi's questions on Friday.

I've linked this post to the Black History Month Hop

On Sale Now : New Releases (And Read In Reminder)

The following are new releases for the month of February, that I am aware of which feature characters of color or a diverse cast.

But first a quick reminder that the African American Read In that will be co hosted by Edi, Vasilly and myself starts this Monday. The book we will be discussing is Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Everyone is welcomed, even if you haven't finished the book yet.


Best Shot in the West by Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick McKissack illus. Randy Duburke

Taking the Lead by Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick C. Moore
We’ve Got a Job: the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson
No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Michaux Nelson

DJ Rising by Love Maia
Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson
The Knife and the Butterfly by Ashley Hope Perez

The Clone Codes #3 by Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick McKissack and Pat McKissack
Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith

On the Flip Side by Nikki Carter
The Galahad Legacy by Dom Testa
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

The Jade Notebook by Laura Resau
Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott

Traitor in the Tunnel by Y. S. Lee
Bad Boy by Dream Jordan

The People Have Spoken (The Read In)

In February I will be co hosting an African American Read In with two other bloggers, Edi and Vasilly. We had a poll of six titles to choose from -

Good Fortune by Noni Carter
Fences by August Wilson
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
Topdog/Underdog by Suzi Lori Parks
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Pull by B.A. Binns

It was very close but Ninth Ward* was the selected title.

Ninth Ward is Rhodes first middle grade novel. I had the pleasure of interviewing the author when the book was released in 2010. Since Jewell Parker Rhodes is known for adult fiction, I hope readers who normally don't read MG or YA fiction will consider participating in the Read In which will start on Monday Feb.2oth,

That gives you more than enough time to get a hold of Ninth Ward from your book source of choice be it your local library or indie, or amazon which currently has the hardcover edition on sale for $6.40


The Black History Blog Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read starts on Wednesday.



*I don't do it often but because of the past interview and very close results I feel a little full disclosure is in order. I contributed two books to the Read In poll including Ninth Ward. I did vote but not for either one of my picks.

2012 African American Read In

Next month is the 23rd National African American Read In. This year I will be hosting an online read in with Edi from Crazy Quilts and Vasilly from 1330V.

There are six books to choose from -

Good Fortune by Noni Carter
Fences by August Wilson
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
Topdog/Underdog by Suzi Lori Parks
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Pull by B.A. Binns

In an effort to keep the votes together, there's just one poll which can be found here at Vasilly's blog. The selected book will be announced this Monday, Jan 30th. and the read in well start on Monday Jan. 2oth.