Butler Book Banter (B3), the Butler Center’s popular youth literature discussion group, is taking place on TUESDAYS this fall, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All GSLIS students and area youth-services colleagues are welcome!

The first one is coming up Tuesday 9/15, and we’ll be focusing on the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and how it’s portrayed in children’s books. Four new books (at least) have come out this year on the topic:

• Drowned City by Dan Brown (graphic nonfiction)
• Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner, illus. by John Parra (picture book)
• Finding Someplace by Denise Lewis Patrick (novel)
• Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Ellis Smith (novel)

We’ll be focusing on the first two, but discussion of the others is welcome, as is discussion of previously-published books on the topic such as Coretta Scott King Honor Book Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, and A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg, illus. by Colin Bootman, among other titles.

What makes an effective book for young people about such a disaster? Realism? Fantasy? A combination of the two? How about images and pictures? For which age levels? Is the storm and its aftermath portrayed any differently today than it was immediately following?

Join us in the Butler Center, Crown 214 on Tuesday, 9/15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to listen to New Orleans music, enjoy snacks, and discuss these books and issues with one another. No RSVP necessary, but you can tell me you’re coming if you like!