a novel By Lisa Hatfield

To Ride a Storm Surge

Draft A:

Surviving this hurricane might be easier than living with Grandma.

Three generations. One tiny apartment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And a storm like no one has experienced before.

Jessie is a sharp, inquisitive girl trying to ride the unpredictable waves of Grandma’s demands, and barely keeping her head above water.

When Hurricane Katrina batters their home, Jessie must confront the storm surge and her own self-talk. As they weather the storm, she learns that resilience is not just about preparation, and Grandma has her own survival stories.

Draft B:

Surviving this stupid hurricane will be easier than figuring out what Grandma wants from me and mom.

I’m Jessie, age 12 going on 30, according to my teachers. So why does Grandma blame me for everything? I can’t help being born and ruining the plans she had for her daughter. Maybe I should give up like mom has and disappear on my bike. Then I won’t have to hear grandma’s stories about China… or her noisy chickens.

But there’s a storm called Katrina coming toward Pass Christian, Mississippi. Maybe we should leave and find dad, wherever he’s gone in his 18-wheeler this week.

Who’s in charge around this crazy apartment, anyway? Not me. I’m not in control of anything. I’m just bobbing up and down on the waves.