Bones was named Precious Bones by her great-grandmother. So, even though she gets teased about her name, she bears it proudly. Bones lives with her father and mother in the swamps of eastern Florida along with alligators, black bears, and age-old legends. Bones spends most of the summer days of 1948 fishing with her best friend, Little Man, and drinking ice-cold soda pop at the general store. Then, a Yankee real estate speculator comes to the swamp looking for prime development land. Nolay, Bone’s father, kicks him off his land. When Bones and Little Man discover the realtor’s body, Nolay becomes the prime suspect. During this unforgettable summer, Bones learns that parents sometimes lie to their children trying to keep them safe and happy. She, also, learns the truth behind her worst childhood fear, Soap Sally, a witch who searches the swamp for naughty children.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com ( )

Bones and her best friend Little Man love spending their summer hunting, fishing and exploring the swamp. Her father Nolay is a Native American with somewhat of a temper. When two yankees come offering to buy his land he scares them off with a gun. When one of them turns up dead in the swamp Nolay becomes the prime suspect. Bones knows her daddy better than anyone. She knows he is innocent. Since the sheriff is taking so long to prove it she figures it is up to her to find out what is really going on. This book reminded me of Carl Hiaasen's book "Flush". I believe my students will enjoy this as much as I did. ( )

Bones has grown up in the Florida swamp along with her best friend Little Man. One summer, things begin to change as two Yankee investors come to try and cheat Bones' father out of his land. Soon after, one of them has gone missing and all signs point to Nolay, Bones' father, as the suspect. As Bones and her mother struggle against accusations against Nolay, there is a bigger struggle against racism and segregation happening swamp-wide.

I liked the overall message of the book but had a hard time with the very "redneck" setting and characters -- maybe I just didn't have the frame of reference to enjoy them. ( )

10 year old Bones lives in the Florida swamps with her mother and father Nolay, an Indian. During the summer two Yankee real estate agents come down to their land. When Nolay hears they want to purchase the land he scares them off. A few days later one of the Yanks is missing. I found this book a bit difficult to read. The writer utilized a lot of country sayings, metaphors and similes which I found a bit distracting. I also thought the book moved a bit slowly. I do think that middle school aged children will enjoy and appreciate the book. It just wasn't my style. ( )

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