The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp / Kathi Appelt / 326 pages

An enticing blend of rich setting, intriguing characters, and heart-warming plot make this book, which is a finalist for the National Book Award, a pleasure to read.  It is storytelling at its best.   I listened to the audiobook version narrated by none other than Lyle Lovett who did a great job with the coyote calls!  A widowed mother and her son Chap live in the deepest part of the Sugar Man Swamp on the Bayou Tourterelle.  They make their living by making sugar pies from the sugar cane in the swamp. Chap and two "true blue scouts" that are raccoon brothers, manage to save the swamp from marauding feral pigs (Clydine and Buzzy) and a piggy human, Sonny Beaucoup, who wants to build an alligator wrestling theme park.  Share this book with someone by reading it aloud!  Recommended for grades 4-7.