My Louisiana Sky is a 1998 novel by Kimberly Willis Holt.

Plot summary edit

The novel is set in 1957, in the small town of Saitter, Louisiana, where 12-year-old Tiger Ann Parker lives with her mentally challenged parents. She tries to get the popular girl in her class, Abby Lynn Anders, to like her but fails because of one of her mother's childish outbursts. Because of this, Tiger isn't invited to Abby Lynn's pool party. Her best friend, Jesse Wade Thompson, tries to comfort her and kisses her. Startled, she rejects him and runs home.

When her beloved grandmother suddenly dies, Tiger faces the choice of either staying with her parents or moving in with her glamorous Aunt Dorie Kay in Baton Rouge.

Setting edit

Saitter is based on the author's hometown of Forest Hill, Louisiana.

Awards and honors edit

Awards and honors for My Louisiana Sky
Year Award/Honor Result Ref.
1998 Josette Frank Award Winner [1]
1999 American Library Association (ALA) Best Books for Young Adults Top 10 [2]
2000 ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [3]
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee [1]
2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal Winner [4]

Film adaptation edit

In 2001, Hyperion and Showtime produced a successful film adaptation of My Louisiana Sky, starring Kelsey Keel as Tiger Ann Parker, Amelia Campbell as Corinna Ramsey Parker, Chris Owens as Lonnie Parker, Michael Cera as Jesse Wade, Shirley Knight as grandmother, and Juliette Lewis as Aunt Dorie Kay.[5] The film was adapted by Anna Sandor and directed by Adam Arkin.[5] The film was shot in Canada.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "My Louisiana Sky". Goodreads. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  2. ^ American Library Association (2006-09-29). "Best Books for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  3. ^ "My Louisiana Sky | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  4. ^ "My Louisiana Sky | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  5. ^ a b "My Louisiana Sky (2001)". IMDB. Retrieved 2021-03-08.

External links edit