Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi

   'Hurricane Song' by Paul Volponi is a historical fiction book about how a father and son survive throughout the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina. The protagonist, Miles, is a young boy with an obsession of football, who comes to live with his dad, Pops, a musician in New Orleans after Pops and Miles's mother divorce. Their relationship is rough, as Miles believes that his father favors music over him and doesn't support his passion of football. When Katrina hits, Miles and Pops are forced to take refuge in the Superdome, where they face many challenges. Among these challenges are unsanitary bathrooms, lack of supplies, and gang violence. Originally Miles and Pops had a rough and confusing relationship, but as time progresses and as they face the hardships of the Superdome, they come to realize that they love each other, even though Miles thought Pops favored music over him. The author wants the reader to know that hard times can bring people together, such as the challenges in the Superdome changed Miles, Pops, and their relationship for the better.

   Before hurricane Katrina, Miles was a selfish boy who thought of nothing else besides football. He believed his father didn't care for him, and this caused him to hang out with some bad people. Among these people were Dunham and Caine, who were football jocks. Once in the Superdome, Dunham and Caine become gang members and they stole people's money, food and supplies. Miles was pressured into joining them, but in that moment he began to change and he realized it was wrong, so he declined. Another example of when Miles changed was when he played the drums at a funeral. He became really involved in the rhythm and beat, which pleased his father, and helped him understand that football wasn't everything. A final example of when Miles changed was near the end of the book, when he assisted his father in carrying a piano out of a jazz club so burglars didn't steal it in the chaos.

   Pops changed a lot throughout the book as well. The first few months of Miles living with him, he gave Miles the impression that he favored music over him, which was probably true. When Miles specifically asked for sporting equipment for his birthday, Pops gave him a drum, hoping to create a love of music inside of him. When they begin to reside in the Superdome, Pops insists that he doesn't want to get involved in anyone's problems. As the situation becomes dire, and the hardships of the Superdome become worse, Pops assists people less fortunate than him, and comforts the family of a man who committed suicide. Finally, when a gang starts a fire, Pops grabs his trumpet and Miles as well, which shows how much he is starting to care for Miles, as he willingly saves his life.

  Their relationship also undergoes many changes. In the beginning of the novel, Miles and Pops live nearly separate lives. Miles plays football, and Pops plays jazz music on his many instruments. As they try to survive during Hurricane Katrina, they become closer. Miles expresses an interest in music, and Pops becomes open to the idea of Miles playing football. Pops decides to rebel and he leaves the Superdome, and Miles willingly follows him. Once outside of the former sports arena Miles is strangled by a looter on the street and Pops hits the man over the head with his most prized possesion, his trumpet. Afterwards, Pop says "I couldn't lose you Miles, not for anything", which is a perfect example of how they come to love each other.

   In conclusion, Miles and Pops become closer, as does their relationship, as they suffer through the hardships of the Superdome. This book showed me that I shouldn't take my good relationship with my parents for granted, as sometimes people have to go through life threatening situations in order to become close.