Reviews

Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli

maple_dove's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Gun violence

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Death

academianut's review against another edition

4.0

Hits you hard in the gut, but worth every moment - this painstakingly researched and exciting historical fiction novel is an amazing portrayal of an Italian American immigrant experience at the time when Italians were racially discriminated against--this book explores this, as well as the economic and systemic factors surrounding it (and continued discrimination against newly freed African Americans and the fear of both marginalized groups "fraternizing" through the eyes of a discerning child, and his incredible found family.

rae_girl's review against another edition

3.0

A very different kind of book than I usually read, but still very good. And very sad. It's sad to think that that kind of prejudice and bigotry really existed in our country but it did and paints a very sad picture of what life was like for the people who are different from us.
One thing I really dislike was all the kissing the main character did. I mean he'd only 14! I know it happens but it doesn't mean I like reading about it.

tracisbooks's review

3.0

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think it was an excellent story that teaches a valuable lesson about an overlooked group of people at the turn of the century. On the other hand, the ending was a major downer and I'm not sure I'd want a kid to read it, and the present tense really got on my nerves.

I had a hard time getting into this story, but I'm glad I stuck with it until the end. I had a hard time identifying with any of the characters, but I felt really bad for Calogero at the end, too. So I'm really torn about how I feel about this one.

jessicaseptember's review against another edition

3.0

Goodness gracious, this book. The whole entire time I couldn't decide if I liked it or hated it. It seemed very random and like nothing was explained enough. The end came as a complete surprise and shocked me into thinking that maybe I did like the book. However, the writing was beautiful and the description made it easy for the reader to feel the emotion at the same time as the main character.

amandaannettee's review

3.0

(3.5 stars)
For a book that I was told would be a slow read, I was pleasantly surprised.
The story, full of love, relationships, lust, and the harsh and vicious experiences of people of color in the 19th century was intriguing. Napoli's story opened my eyes to many parts of history that I have lacked to learn in school, and through her family history that leads to this writing, opened a new interest within my history class.

raehink's review

3.0

Although the book was a bit of a slow read, I quite enjoyed this story of a Sicilian teenager trying to find his place in the post-Reconstruction world of blacks and whites. The book is based on a true story, which made it all the more interesting to me.

krista's review

5.0

Not what I was expecting, but it ripped my heart out. It's a little uneven, but I can already tell that this is one of those stories that will stay with me. I really wish there were a sequel because I want to know what happens next!