My Louisiana Sky

Title: My Louisiana Sky
Author: Kimberly Willis Holt
Publisher: Henry Holt
Copyright: 1998
ISBN: 0440415701


My Louisiana Sky is a coming of age story about a young girl named Tiger. Set in 1950's small-town Louisiana, Tiger lives with her grandmother and her mentally handicapped parents. Because of the fact that her parents aren't "normal," Tiger is left out by most of the kids her age. When her grandmother dies, she has to make difficult decisions that will not only affect her, but the people she loves most. My Louisiana Sky is chock-full of lessons about life, love, and acceptance.

I found My Louisiana Sky to be an absolutely beautiful book. Tiger was realistically portrayed as a very loving, yet very conflicted daughter. While she loved her parents, she was also embarrassed that they weren't like the other kids' parents. Her best friend Jesse Wade and her Granny were two confidants, but when Jesse Wade tries to kiss her and Granny dies, she is left with no one but her parents. I felt like all of the situations in this book, while perhaps not common, were entirely possible. I was able to really feel like I was a part of the story and loved experiencing life with Tiger. This book was an easy read and highly recommend it for children ages 9-12.

If I were going to use this book in a library setting, I would do a book talk using similar books from the Realistic Fiction genre. Another book that would go well with this one is Because of Winn Dixie. Both books are set in small towns with an interesting cast of characters. While their problems are a bit different, both books are have young girls who have suffered loss as the protagonist and are written for the same age group. This book would also be great for a read-aloud in a 4th-7th grade classroom.


Reviews for My Louisiana Sky:
"Set in the South in the late 1950s, this coming-of-age story explores a 12 year-old girl's struggle to accept her grandmother's death, her mentally deficient parents, and the changing world around her." --School Library Journal

"This lyrical novel, set in central Louisiana in the 1950s, brings fresh perspective to the guilt and anger and caring that surround the mentally disabled as it focuses on 12 year-old Tiger Ann and the love mixed with shame that she feels for her "retarded" parents. --Booklist