Love, Cajun Style

by Diane Les Becquets

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Gr 8-11–Growing up is inevitable but confusing for Lucy, whose 16th summer unfolds with the sweet, languid pace of her small Louisiana town. Her mother might be having an affair, her best friend's boyfriend might be cheating, and something's up with her favorite aunt's love life. There's romance brewing at the local retirement home, and the sexy new drama teacher doesn't seem to appreciate her baby-sitting skills as much as he seems to want something else–something that feels especially wrong compared to the feeling Lucy gets around blond, piano-playing Dewey. Her professed reticence to growing up seems mildly at odds with her perceptive nature, but overall her coming-of-age rings true. With a cast of distinctive characters, this story is told with humor and warmth and is deliciously full of Cajun metaphors and mouth-watering cooking descriptions–and one particular scene with Tabasco that will provoke squirms and giggling. Recommended for fans of Ellen Wittlinger, Joan Bauer, Deb Calleti, and the like.–Rhona Campbell, Washington DC Public Library
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From BookList, September 15, 2005, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
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*Starred Review*
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Gr. 8-11. Like a spicy Cajun stew, this mixes together lots of ingredients, and the result is delicious. The height of excitement for Lucy Beauregard and her friends Evie and Mary in their Louisiana town is going skinny-dipping and finding their clothes have been stolen. Then some strangers come to town. Mr. Savoi, an artist, opens a gallery, and suddenly Lucy's mom becomes interested in posing for him--nude. Mr. Savoi's son, Dewey is causing some heat in Lucy, but what about the attention she is receiving from Mr. Banks, the new teacher who has cast Lucy as the lead in a community play? Les Becquets creates a wonderful world that not only captures the emotions and dreams of youth but also the longings and regrets of adults. Populating the small town are richly drawn characters who waltz in and out of scenes with grace and humor. Religion and talk of God and morality also slide easily through the narrative. This is romantic, real, and lots of fun.

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