Henrico Youth Book Awards 2014 discussion

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Appelt’s latest bayou adventure is much more appealing than The Underneath. The raccoon scouts live in an abandoned DeSoto, whose funky radio wiring jolts to life during a thunderstorm, producing The Voice of Intelligence from whom they take their orders. Their mission is to wake the mysterious Swamp Man, protector of this land, when danger arises. And danger is rumbling their way as a gang of feral hogs is on the loose. But there’s also disaster approaching for the human inhabitants of this bayou, as Chap Brayburn and his mom fight to keep their Paradise Pies Café, (home of the best fried sugar pies) out of the hands of the greedy Sonny Boy Beaucoup. Appelt creates a vivid sense of place and some memorable characters In Sugar Man Swamp. Sue

Kathi Appelt's latest novel will appeal to middle/upper elementary readers who love to read animal stories. Appelt has a beautiful writing style that utilizes short chapters and fluctuates between the numerous characters in this story. This story contained humor, suspense, mystery, and legend all of which kept me eagerly turning the pages. I found myself cheering for the raccoons and wishing I could eat a fried sugar pie! Very satisfying read.

For me, this wandered too much between being simplistic and having mature puns. I admit to laughing aloud once or twice, though.

I agree with Sue that this book is much more appealing (and I'd say accessible, too) than The Underneath. I love it and am certainly happy that my school's copies just came in this week! The true test for me (although not for the Newbery Committee :-) will be whether or not I can successfully sell it to my students.

Appelt's latest novel has been chosen as 1 of 5 finalists for the 2013 National Book Award - Young People's Literature. I think elementary students might find the story confusing and they might not understand the idioms - until they actually happen. T.B.S. of S.M.S. might make a great classroom read-aloud. I am a huge fan of the Underneath (2008).