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Big Oak told Ruby Butterfly, who warned Ruby the Girl, about the Big Spin, a storm on its way to shake up the city of New Orleans and Ruby’s life. Raised by her angry grandmother, Mammaloose, Ruby has been disconnected from her family history. As the storm draws near, Ruby has to face her own swirling confusion over her past and her future. Narrated in a lyrical voice that captures the rhythms of the Jazz City, this coming-of-age story manages to encompass not only the enormity of Hurricane Katrina, but the quiet struggle of one girl. When Ruby and her grandmother find themselves trapped in their attic as the devastating storm rages, Ruby sees beyond her usual half-dream state to confront reality. Rebuilding her life and her city will not be easy, but Ruby’s reaction to these difficulties is exceptional. Rich language and a unique perspective hint at the magic that exists just below the surface of everyday life. (Fiction. 12 & up)
