Growing up in Saitter, Louisiana, in the 1950s, twelve-year-old Tiger Ann struggles with her feelings about her stern but loving grandmother, her mentally slow parents, and her god friend and neighbor Jesse. ( )

My Louisiana Sky has an excellent voice and great clarity in the storyline, perfect for my seven-year-old self. The characters are very believable, so much that I can recall wanting to be Tiger Ann. A compassionate story about people who are different, and intolerance, about having real values and not letting your head be turned by the ‘popular’ thing, and about being true to yourself and your roots.

The back cover says for children ten and up but, obviously, I think any child could read this book. They might not get the mentally slow part, and I’m not sure if I did, but the story is still so wonderful. ( )

This would make a great companion book to "So B It". ( )

This story conveys the theme “your home is where your heart is”. It also conveys how people with disabilities are given special abilities. For example, Tiger Ann’s Dad was gifted with a sixth sense. He could feel the earth, hear the birds, and knew the hurricane was approaching. Her Mom’s special gift was love. My Louisiana Sky is a very heartwarming story. Two characters in the movie portrayed very strong yet compassionate woman: Grandma Jewel and Magnolia, Aunt Dorie Kay’s “working girl”.

Multimedia materials for children must be reflective of the pluralistic nature of our global society. In 2001, the movie won the Children's Jury Award at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. This award is based on the best in culturally diverse, non-violent, value affirming new cinema for school groups and families. Quality of production is also important when evaluating multimedia materials. In 2002, the Association for Library Service to Children awarded the movie My Louisiana Sky the Andrew Carnegie Medal. The award is given to honor outstanding video productions for children. ( )

Tiger Ann’s Mother and Father are different, but as Grandma points out, different does not mean bad. Corina fell from a tree trying to save her baby sister Dorie Kay, who riddled with guilt, moves away to Baton Rouge to re-invent herself. I would like to know what she did for a living to maintain the beautiful clothes and apartment and a maid, as a women, in the south back in the 50’s I’d guess. Anyway, life’s and nature’s injustices are reflected upon as Tiger grows to recognize that the love of her family is nothing to be embarrassed over but to be reveled in and appreciated. The wholesome goodness of Lonnie and Corinna shines, as Magnolia’s breath skips just a little when Lonnie immediately shows his manners and offers to carry her bags, one senses that Magnolia has found a home as well supplanting the Mother figure of Jewel that Corinna needs--the warmest Southern embrace ever.
If You Liked This, Try: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt, Flood: Mississippi 1927 by Kathleen Duey, Dancing In Cadillac Light by Kimberly Holt, The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo by Jean Craighead George.
Awards: The Andrew Carnegie Medal ( )