My Louisiana Sky

by Kimberly Willis Holt

My Louisiana Sky <> Paperback <> KimberlyWillisHolt <> SquareFish

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Coming Of Age

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1998

About the author

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the Piper Reed series, including Piper Reed, Navy Brat, Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen, and Piper Reed, Rodeo Star. She has written many award-winning novels, including The Water Seeker and My Louisiana Sky, as well as the picture books Waiting for Gregory and Skinny Brown Dog. A former Navy brat herself, Holt was born in Pensacola, Florida, and lived all over the U.S. and the world—from Paris to Norfolk to Guam to New Orleans. Holt long dreamed of being a writer, but first worked as a radio news director, marketed a water park, and was an interior decorator, among other jobs. A few years after she started writing, her third book, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, won a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She resides in West Texas with her family.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kimber...

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars ✨

Middle Grade/ Young Adult

“Some people are just afraid of what's different. It doesn't mean different is bad. It just means different is different. ”

Tiger Ann Parker is smart in school and good at baseball, but she's forever teased about her family by the girls in class. Tiger Ann knows her folks are different from others in their small town of Saitter, Louisiana. They are mentally slow, and Tiger Ann keeps her pain and embarrassment hidden as long as her strong and smart Granny runs the household. Then Granny dies suddenly and Aunt Dorie Kay arrives, offering Tiger Ann a way out. Now Tiger Ann must make the most important decision of her life.

I absolutely loved this southern tale- being from the south, it struck me in the feels. I laughed, cried and could have easily read 20 or more chapters about Tiger Ann and her family! This one will stick with me for a while. Super short read, totally worth it! Highly recommend 🐯

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the stories that you walk away from as a better person. In fact, this is one of those stories you can't really walk away from.
It's the story of a girl on the threshold of womanhood in Louisiana in the fifties. She lives with her grandmother, a strong, intelligent woman who lives in poverty but does it with grace and intelligence, and her mother and father, both of whom suffer from mental disabilities. The story follows Tiger-anne's journey through coming to an understanding of her parents' disabilities, facing terrible sorrow and challenges, to coming to an understanding of her own ability to live with the grace and love her grandmother and parents have shown her. Highly reccomendable on many levels

[Jennifer Easton · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've all encountered a time in our lives where we wished we lived a completely different lifestyle. Those of us who grew up in the city, often wished for a quiet calm farm life. Reversely, those of us who grew up in the country often wished for the hustle and bustle of never-sleeping city life. "My Louisiana Sky" is a novel about the latter.

"Some people in Siatter say Momma and Daddy should never been allowed to get married because their different. Folks around here c all it retarded, but I like 'slow' better." Tiger lives in the swamp land of Louisiana with her mentaly deficient paretns and grandmother. As Tiger grows up, she becomes more aware of the fact that her parents are different. Tiger is introduced to social situations and strives to fit in at school. Her parents love her, however, are not able to provide much help in the social area. Tiger would do anything to move to the big city of Baton Rouge with her aunt. When Tiger's grandmother dies, she is given this option. Tiger is forced to decide to move into a life that she has always dreamed of or stay with her parents that love her.

Be advised: The following review reveals certain aspects of the novel that some readers may wish to discover on their own.

I enjoyed reading this novel. I think everyone can learn something from Tiger about family loyalty. We are given a young girl who is coming of age and faced with some tough obstacles. She could have ditched her "retarded" parents and led a more successful life with her aunt, however, she took the high road. I Tiger's choice demonstrated great maturity. More than anything this is a novel about self-discovery and family love.

As a future teacher, I could incorporate this novel into my classes. I think it is important for students to see a positive example of a girl who is striving to make the right decisions. I think students should be introduced to these positive role models throughout their reading history. I could see teaching this book as a prelude to a cultural unit. Such a unit would require students to analyze thier heritage and lifestle. Seeing where Tiger came from and her proud feelings toward that place would help students see that there are positive aspects to every walk of life. Seeing this example would persuade them to empathize with their classmates, seemingly different pasts. I think students in middle school would enjoy reading this novel. It would be a great complement to a cultural unit.

[rivka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between YA and kids (target audience: 10-13).

A wonderful book about love, family, and what it means to be different.

[Leah Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable and written to make me sad. There's not much else to say, it was short and not a lot happened. The writing style was quite lovely, though, so I'll give it that!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wholesome, heartwarming read that causes you to reflect on what really matters: your people, the place you call “home,” and life’s simple joys.

[529_Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt gives the reader a perfect example of what it was like to grow up in a small southern town. Tiger is a young girl who finds comfort in her granny. Tiger's parents are called "slow". They are both developmentally challenged. When granny dies, Tiger is faced with the choice of moving in with her aunt or staying with her parents. Her aunt lives in Baton Rouge. They live in a small town called Saitter. Tiger decides that she will stay with her parents. Even though Tiger would love to live in a big city, she finds that her love of her family means more to her. During a hurricane, Tiger realizes that her mother would risk her own safety to make sure that she was safe and out of harms way. The book is an easy read and it provides a good sense of who the characters are as well as vivid descriptions of the settings.

[Krista Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light. Tiger Ann's parents are what we might call mentally challenged, but she is smart as a whip. When her grandmother dies suddenly and their entire life/family structure shatters, Tiger has to make some hard choices. Great coming of age story.

Tiger is great as are her parents, grandmother and aunt. The portrayal of the parents is lyrical, sensitive and spot on. The grandmother is great. Reminded me of my grandmother - no nonsense, no complaining, no laziness.

Set in the South in the 1930s. There are just a few light references to Jim Crow laws as well as a 14 year old girl marrying a much older widow to escape her father's physical abuse. I would like to have seen these issues more developed.

[Lindy]

Tiger Ann Parker is smart in school and good at baseball, but she's forever teased about her family by the girls in class. Tiger Ann knows her folks are different from others in their small town of Saitter, Louisiana. They are mentally slow, and Tiger Ann keeps her pain and embarrassment hidden as long as her strong and smart Granny runs the household. Then Granny dies suddenly and Aunt Dorie Kay arrives, offering Tiger Ann a way out. Now Tiger Ann must make the most important decision of her life.

[Nancee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't normally like YA fiction, but I've been reading a lot of heavy biographies lately and was glad to have a fun, quick read. I really liked the author's writing and it was a cute story. I always like stories set in the South for some reason. It only took a couple of hours to get through and it was an enjoyable read.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice middle grade book about Tiger Ann. Tiger's mama and daddy are both slow, and other kids sometimes treat her poorly because her parents are different. A nice coming of age story as well as historical fiction. My kids and I listened to this on CD and enjoyed the narrator.

[Madeline Hardee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are reading this in my 4th grade class and I remember reading it as a kid. I just re-read it and I love the honest themes throughout this novel! The grass usually isn’t greener on the other side. Truly where you “water,” invest, and plant yourself, yields the most beautiful and irreplaceable relationships and results. Tiger Ann’s relationship with her special needs parents is raw and compassionate. She is 12 years old experiencing the typical growing pains, and must decide what will define the kind of woman she will ultimately become. This book is a great read for kids to learn about people who are “different.” It also describes segregation and a theme of equality for all who are “different” is woven throughout. It takes place in the 50’s in Louisiana and I’m glad my students get to experience more of history because of this book. Every kid should read it!!

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites since I read Because of Winn Dixie!

[Mattie Baublit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will forever be my favorite book

[Stephanie Maez Hilbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite book since I was a child. I'm 30 now and love coming back to read it through the years. It's a wonderful story about family.

[Kaka222 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Louisiana Sky was written by Kimberly Willis Holt. This book is about courage. Tiger, the main character shows immense courage in everything she does. Without her courage she could not face the everyday difficulties of her life. The book is set in Saitter, Louisiana, just outside Baton Rouge, in 1957.
Tiger Ann Parker is a bold young girl, twelve years old. She was born to parents who had disabilities. Both of Tiger's parents are retarded. Tiger and her mother and father live with her grandmother, because of her parents' illnesses. Tiger is so sporty and smart and not in any way retarded. Corrina is Tiger's mother. She is severely retarded. She acts childish, which was great for Tiger when she was a child to have such a playful mother, but now as she is getting older she is realizing how immature her mother is, and how she wants to be a lady unlike her mother. Granny has no disability. She is perfectly functional and quite strict. Granny is so kind to everyone especially Tiger. She says to Tiger the most beautiful line in the book, "'Your momma may have a simple mind, Tiger, but her love is simple too.'" She has been through a lot, basically taking care of two retarded adults and one little child for so long that when Tiger gets old enough to help out Granny needs it, because she too is getting older. Lonnie Parker, Tiger's dad, is very anti-social. Lonnie is calm and caring, but still very retarded. Jesse Wade is Tiger's childhood best friend whom she disappoints greatly when she tries to become a lady. Jesse has always been nice to her and played with her. Aunt Dorie Kay is Tiger's aunt. Aunt Dorie is a wealthy woman who always sends Tiger and the family expensive new things. Granny doesn't like Dorie, because she thinks Dorie has devoted herself too much to money and possesions.
Tiger and Jesse Wade have always been great friends and Corrina always joined in their fun. Tiger becomes too old for silly games and playing baseball with Jesse and the other boys, even though she is the best player of them all. Jesse is confused at her new personality, but Tiger knows she needs to start acting like a lady, and plus all the popular girls would never wear overalls and bare feet. Granny is helping Tiger become a lady by teaching her sewing and other chores and Tiger likes knowing that she is helping out her family. Suddenly when Granny dies Tiger is lost. Then, her Aunt Dorie Kay volunteers to help out. Dorie Kay teaches Tiger all about life in the city, even though all the pecuniary perks don't appeal to Tiger, she feels she needs to do whatever she can to help her mom and dad through this tragedy.
I liked the book it had a lot more history and adventure than I'd expected. The story line is very interesting and fun to figure out. The silly things her mother does in the book, both makes you laugh and also makes you sad because you realize what the family has been having to deal with for the thirty years of her life. Jesse Wade is definitely my favorite character. He is so hilarious and the author describes his expressions very well.

[Lindsey Schwanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiger Ann Parker lives in a small town named Saitter, Louisiana with her disabled mother, slow father and her grandmother. During the summer before Tiger enters the seventh grade she begins to become more embarrassed about her mother who has the mind of a six year old because she fell off a latter when she was younger and hit her head. Tiger so desperatly wishes her mother could be more like her aunt Dorie Kay, who lives in Baton Rouge who she finds to be smart and sophisticated. Tiger has a best friend named Jesse Wade Thompson who she loves to play baseball with, but at the same time she finds herself wanting to be friends with the proper girls in her class like Abby Lyn Anders. Tiger find out that Abby Lynn is going to be having a pool party and Tiger is determined to go but when Tiger's mother causes a scene at the bookmobile, she finds that she does not get an invitation to her party. Tiger has always been very close to her grandmother growing up because she has been the one who has raised and watched over Tiger because Tiger's mother in unable to. Because of a heartattack Tiger's grandmother dies and she is in shock not knowing how to deal with the situation since her grandmother had always been there to take care of everyone. Tiger's mother has a hard time coaping with her mother's death and spends all day in bed refusing to change her clothes or take a bath. Aunt Dorie Kay come from Baton Rouge to take care of the funeral arrangements and takes care of everything. Tiger becomes a little flustered when he parent's have a hard time handling things by themselves such as paying the bills. Dorie Kay ends up taking Tiger to Baton Rouge with her for a couple of days so they can pick up her colored maid Magnolia to come back and spend the rest of the summer with Tiger's family to help get them back on their feet. While in Baton Rouge Tiger is offered by Dorie to Kay to make her stay in Baton Rouge permanit after the summer to come and live her and start a new life. She is forced to make a decision.

I really actually enjoyed this book. It is not the most excited book written, but then again it is historical fiction. It tells a great story and has a very strong message behind it. I really like stories that are about kids who have problems about not fitting in because I feel like I can relate to them. The main theme that is presented in this book is the importance of family, but also being different. Tiger is not an ordinary girl and neither is the family that she comes from. She has to accept that her family is different then others especially having a mentally disabled mother and a slow father. I would highly recommend this book for children who are a little older because it teaches them that people are different in this world.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

J Holt

Debbie Schlinger

When I first started reading "My Louisiana Sky" I felt it was a bit simple, but not many chapters into it you get to know the characters and their lives, as simple as they are, and you care deeply about who they are.
The story takes place in a simple southern town called Sutter Creek where folks hang clothes out on the line, swim in the ponds, and everyone meets at church on Sunday. The people are down home southern folk with names like Dorie Kay, Jessie Wade, Abbey Lynn, Willie Mae, Minnie, Abner, and Otis.
The story is told from the eyes of Tiger Ann Parker who is pretty darn happy with her life - as simple as it is - and simply is exactly what she deals with in her family. Her mother's mental capacities are at about a first grade level and her father didn't make it much past junior high school. But Tiger Ann is the shock of the town, the brightest girl in her school and she's taken away from her family to live in the big city briefly. When she returns she discovers that love can't be measured by what you have or don't have, how you look, or what kind of job you do. The characters in the story are wonderful, well developed, and easy to visualize. Her relationship with her parents, grandmother, and best friend Jesse are too beautiful for words.
The book reminded me of 2 of my favorite adult tales - "Where the Heart Is" and "The Painted Porch". In both of those 2 stories and in this one, there are the good, the bad, and the ugly. But like all good stories that touch your heart, the good wins out and you definitely see how "what goes around comes around".
After finishing the book, I've changed my tune from a simple story to a simple feel good, well written, and worth reading story.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this is a great book! I would definitely recommend it.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the story of Tiger Ann a young girl growing up in a rural Louisiana town called Saitter in the 1950's. She lives with her mother, Corinna, father, Lonnie and her grandmother, Jewel. She's kind of a tomboy and has a best friend named Jesse Wade. She is nice and kind but sometimes embarrassed that her parents are mentally slow. She is growing up and wants to be friends with the girls in her class (town) but they are all under the spell of the (Queen Bee, spoiled rich girl) Abby Lynn.

Tiger Ann has an aunt named Dorie Kay who lives in the big city, Baton Rouge. Dorie Kay has a contentious relationship with her mother, Tiger's grandmother and we later learn why in the book. One day while out in the garden Tiger's grandmother dies. Tiger is feeling lost and afraid because she wonders who will take care of her mother and father and Aunt Dorie Kay wants Tiger to come live with her in Louisiana. Tiger has a lot to think about.

Overall, I really enjoyed the characters in the book, especially Tiger Ann but I thought the story could have been developed a little more. There was so much stuff left out that would have made a better story. I was more interested in Corinna's and Lonnie's back stories.

I did love this line from the book "If your going to fret, fret over something you can change. Then stop fretting and do something about it".

I am going to watch the movie this weekend and will have a small update on the movie after I watch.

[Ashlea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the story that it was portraying. As a college student who is specializing in Special Education and has been around family who have "special" needs this book hits close to home for me. Although the main character in this book is a female I do believe that she is relatable to both male and female readers especially if they know someone with a disability or have a parent that has a disability.

Tiger is a brave young lady who goes through the struggles of fitting in with the others girls in her class because she comes from a lower income family and both of her parents are "slow". The only person that keeps Tiger going is her grandmother but when she suddenly passes away Tiger has to decide whether to follow her dreams of going to the big city or staying to take of her parents. Tiger struggles with her decision but in the end makes the best decision she can for her and her parents showing that love and family are more important than the girls at school.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book it was different from what I am use to reading and would be very beneficial in the classroom. You could use it for the individual student as well as introducing a unit.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins one summer in a small Louisiana town called Saitter, where Tiger Ann Parker is coming of age as her interests suddenly change from playing baseball with the boys to an interest in fashion and seeking the approval of a popular classmate named Abby Lynn. Tiger is a rising seventh grader. Tiger is self-conscious about her developmentally disabled mother who has the mind of a young child. when her mother was very young she had a kitten she loved named a Tiger. one day she hugged the kitten to hard and her pet died. Granny Cares for the family, then one day, Tiger's world is shaken when her grandmother suddenly passes away. Aunt Dorie Kay returns to Saitter to make arrangements for the funeral, since Tiger's parents aren’t capable. During her stay, Dorie Kay takes Tiger out to a movie and invites Tiger to stay with her permanently. Tiger has mixed emotions about leaving her parents, but she is excited about the prospect. She visits with Dorie Kay in Baton Rouge for a few days to see if she likes it. Tiger swims in the large pool and gets her long hair cut like her idol, Katherine Hepburn. Tiger returns home and realizes she has missed her family and her life in Saitter.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ms. Holt's writing style and thought of Janice Holt Giles here in Kentucky.
I also thought of the America Girls series and the Dear America series.
I also thought of Lois Lowry's Anastasia.
What a challenge for Tiger Ann to try and fit in with the girls in her class and to have to look after her mother was considered to be simple.
Life in Louisiana before Civil Rights and everyone had indoor plumbing and electricity.
Supposed big moment was when they got a TV. I was surprised the neighbors didn't come over to watch.
My Grandfather had the first TV and color TV w/Remote antenna in His part of Pennsylvania in the 50's. He had built an addition to the house in order for the set to be placed. Neighbors came in good weather and stood out the picture window to watch the shows.
I liked how Tiger Ann's father knew how to work and take care of the plants at the nursery.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole's 7th grade online BYU class required this book, so I thought I'd read it through also. Mostly I just wanted to check the taste of the professor. The book is written with exceptional voice. I could just hear the characters talking, and I felt like Tiger Ann's character were very well developed.

This was a quick read, and it has a lot of points that made me think. I especially loved how the cleaning lady helped out the family and dropped some not-so subtle hints to give Tiger Ann some direction and perspective.

I guess I don't have any negative things to say about it. It's totally clean and worth reading. The only reason it doesn't earn five stars is because I reserve that rating for books that I want to reread on a regular basis.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story told in simple language. I think the author captured the essence of a 12 year old girl pretty well. We all want to fit in and at some point in life find ourselves on the outside. I appreciate how much the author caught the feelings of wanting someone to like you and be your friend and when they don't not really understanding why it's so important to you that they do. I loved how Tiger Ann worked through her hurt feelings and eventually triumphed. This aspect of the story impacted me more than the story of family ties and imperfections. I enjoyed reading the book after watching the movie.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Tiger Ann's grandmother dies she must decide weather she is going to go live with her Aunt Dorrie Kay in the city or continue to live with her mentally-challenged parents. Holt's first offering is a bit uneven in composition, but has proved it's staying power over the years nonetheless. More powerful books with similar subjects have come out in recent years- So B. It by Sarah Weeks and My Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin. A good suggestion for kids who have liked those two books but may not be familiar with Holt.
Note: A young(er) Michael Cera plays Tiger Ann's friend Jessie in the movie adaptation of this story.

[Marly Natherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I read this, I have to admit, I was pretty bored. I liked Tiger Ann's character, but for whatever reason I didn't feel a huge connection to the story.

The second time I read this, I read it to my fourth graders. I connected with Tiger Ann and Momma through their eyes, which was sweet. I felt emotion when Tiger was embarrassed at the book mobile and when her aunt acted aloof towards Granny, and I felt uninterested in the time that Tiger was in Baton Rouge because the characters I most cared about weren't there. I felt like there could have been a faster resolve to Tiger's decision to stay at home, but other than that, it was an okay read aloud.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

You win some, you lose some. And this book was not a winner for me. I listened to it on audio book and could not get over the narrator's accent. The main character, Tiger, is from Louisiana, but really? An entire audio book read in with a rapid fire southern accent?

Tiger's parents are mentally impaired (I think that's how the book describes them). The author also mentions "colored people" a few times. I guess the novel is about tolerance? There was just too much going on with the main character and the plot to have everything thrown in.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I mean, I love, love, love this book! Judith Ivey reads the audiobook version and she is amazing. This a wonderful coming-of-age story has a twist. Both of Tiger's parents are "slow" and she is very bright. As you can imagine, this creates several problems. If you'd like to meet an engaging heroine, read My Louisiana Sky. If you'd like a strong sense of place, be sure to listen to the audiobook version. Either way, you should read this book.

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is told from the point of view of a girl with two mentally handicapped parents. It’s very touching, sincere and sweet. It makes the reader take time to think about the important things in life. My Louisiana Sky is probably best geared toward a middle grade audience but is great for all ages.