Last Updated on May 7, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 78

Clari Martinez, like most thirteen-year-olds, is impatient, rebellious, unhappy when disciplined, energetic, imaginative, and loving. In "Hurricane Friends," she copes with an unhappy neighbor, saves a cat's life, and survives one of the most destructive hurricanes ever to hit the United States- Hurricane Andrew. Bernardo captures the experience of enduring a catastrophic storm, while offering plenty of storytelling excitement in the process. Clari is an appealing teenager who leads with her heart, and her adventure is vividly portrayed.