Alligator Bayou
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli is a reprint edition published by Random House Children’s Books on May 11, 2010. This 288-page novel, written in English, explores the experiences of fourteen-year-old Calogero and his Sicilian family living in Tallulah, Louisiana, during the late 19th century. The story is rooted in historical events and addresses the complexities of racism faced by Italian Americans in the South, as Calogero navigates life amid tensions between the black and white communities.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into Calogero’s struggles to adapt to his new environment, highlighting his adventures, including midnight gator hunts, and his feelings for Patricia, a black girl in his community. The book presents a vivid portrayal of social themes, including prejudice and racism, while capturing the immigrant experience in a nuanced manner. Napoli’s research and evocative language bring depth to this historical context, making Alligator Bayou a significant exploration of identity and community.
Official synopsis Publisher
An unforgettable novel, based on a true story, about racism against Italian Americans in the South in 1899.
Fourteen-year-old Calogero, his uncles, and his cousins are six Sicilians living in the small town of Tallulah, Louisiana, miles from any of their countrymen. They grow vegetables and sell them at their stand and in their grocery store.
Some people welcome the immigrants; most do not. Calogero’s family is caught in the middle of tensions between the black and white communities. As Calogero struggles to adapt to Tallulah, he is startled and thrilled by the danger of midnight gator hunts in the bayou and by his powerful feelings for Patricia, a sharp-witted, sweet-natured black girl. Meanwhile, every day, and every misunderstanding between the white community and the Sicilians, bring Calogero and his family closer to a terrifying, violent confrontation.
In this affecting and unforgettable novel, Donna Jo Napoli’s inspired research and spare, beautiful language take the classic immigrant story to new levels of emotion and searing truth. Alligator Bayou tells a story that all Americans should know.
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