Fifteen-year-old Meely LaBauve is growing up on Catahoula Bayou and living by his wits. Not since Huck Finn rafted down the Mississippi has there been a coming-of-age story like this, told in such an utterly authentic unlettered American voice. From a charming encounter with first love in the Canciennes' corn patch to an adventurous paddle through wild and timeless places little explored, Ken Wells has cooked up a zesty gumbo of a book—rich, poignant, and often hilarious.
- An American Library Association/YALSA best book of the year
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
Fifteen-year-old Meely LaBauve is growing up on Catahoula Bayou and living by his wits. Not since Huck Finn rafted down the Mississippi has there been a coming-of-age story like this, told in such an utterly authentic unlettered American voice. From a charming encounter with first love in the Canciennes' corn patch to an adventurous paddle through wild and timeless places little explored, Ken Wells has cooked up a zesty gumbo of a book—rich, poignant, and often hilarious.
- An American Library Association/YALSA best book of the year
Description
Fifteen-year-old Meely LaBauve is growing up on Catahoula Bayou and living by his wits. Not since Huck Finn rafted down the Mississippi has there been a coming-of-age story like this, told in such an utterly authentic unlettered American voice. From a charming encounter with first love in the Canciennes' corn patch to an adventurous paddle through wild and timeless places little explored, Ken Wells has cooked up a zesty gumbo of a book - rich, poignant and often hilarious.
Awards
Short-listed for Virginia Readers Choice Award (High School) 2005
Short-listed for South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award (Young Adult) 2002
Critic Reviews
“"Do yourself a favor and become acquainted with Emile LaBauve... a cross between Huck Finn & Oliver Twist, with south Louisiana accent and a backwoods attitude... There's a major talent at work here." --The Denver Post "[A] short and expert first novel... not only funny but infused with Wells's deep love of Cajun patois." --The New York TimesBook Review "[An] endearing debut" --The Washington PostBook World "Wells makes a lively fiction debut with this affectionate slice of Louisiana bayou life... Meely's Cajun-spiced charisma never flags." --Entertainment Weekly "[Meely is] a cross between Huck Finn and Oliver Twist, which a South Louisiana accent and a backwoods attitude....There's a major talent at work here." --Booklist "Often laugh-out-loud funny [but] Wells has carved a sincere and courageous portrait of a boy becoming a man." --Bookpage From the Trade Paperback edition.”
"Do yourself a favor and become acquainted with Emile LaBauve... a cross between Huck Finn & Oliver Twist, with south Louisiana accent and a backwoods attitude... There's a major talent at work here." --The Denver Post "[A] short and expert first novel... not only funny but infused with Wells's deep love of Cajun patois." --The New York Times Book Review
"[An] endearing debut" --The Washington Post Book World
"Wells makes a lively fiction debut with this affectionate slice of Louisiana bayou life... Meely's Cajun-spiced charisma never flags." --Entertainment Weekly
"[Meely is] a cross between Huck Finn and Oliver Twist, which a South Louisiana accent and a backwoods attitude....There's a major talent at work here." --Booklist
"Often laugh-out-loud funny [but] Wells has carved a sincere and courageous portrait of a boy becoming a man." --Bookpage
About the Author
Ken Wells is a senior editor and writer for "Conde Nast Portfolio" magazine, as well as the author of "Crawfish Mountain" and the Catahoula Bayou trilogy. During his career as a journalist he has been a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a writer and features editor for the front page of the "Wall Street Journal," He lives in the suburbs of New York City.
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