Alligator Bayou
Alligator Bayou
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1991
Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • 1890s
1991
YA
12-16 years
HL430L
Super Short Summary
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli takes place in Tallulah, Louisiana, during the summer of 1899, where fourteen-year-old Italian immigrant Calogero "Calo" Scalise lives with his uncles and cousins amid rampant racial and anti-immigrant sentiment. Calo's family encounters increasing hostility from the townspeople as they operate stores and treat African American customers equally, leading to dangerous tensions and violent outcomes that force Calo to make difficult choices.
Emotional
Challenging
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
590 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Donna Jo Napoli's Alligator Bayou has been praised for its poignant exploration of cultural identity and historical accuracy, set against the backdrop of racial tension in early 20th-century Louisiana. Reviewers appreciated its rich character development and vivid setting. However, some critiques noted a slower pacing and occasionally heavy-handed moral lessons. Overall, it is considered a thought-provoking and educational read.
Who Should Read Alligator Bayou?
Fans of historical fiction, ages 12 and up, who relish rich cultural narratives akin to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor or Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, will appreciate Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli. The novel deftly explores themes of identity, injustice, and resilience in early 20th-century Louisiana.
590 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • 1890s
1991
YA
12-16 years
HL430L
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