Part of Me

by Kimberly Willis Holt Narrated by Kate Reading

Overview

The journey begins in 1939 with Rose, who moves with her mother and siblings from rural Texas to live with their estranged grandfather on the Louisiana bayou. Rose connects with this flavorful community by driving a bookmobile. Two decades later, Merle Henry, Rose's son, is more passionate about trapping a mink than about reading, although there is a place in his heart for Old Yeller. In 1973, Merle Henry's daughter, Annabeth, feels torn between reading childish fairy tales and a crush on her own real-life knight in shining armor. And in the present day, Annabeth's son, Kyle, finds himself in a bind: He hates reading, but the only summer job he can get is at the library.
In her people-smart way, Kimberly Willis Holt introduces us to a Louisiana family. Touching, lyrical, and always intriguing, their stories reveal the power-ful connections among four generations.


From the Compact Disc edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Economical, evocative prose reflects the leisurely pace of Southern living and movingly conveys family tensions, family love, and the power of stories to bring generations together.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Holt once again excels at creating character and an evocative sense of place.” —School Library Journal

“There is drama, humor, rebellion, despair—but understated for the most part, quietly moving the reader.” —KLIATT

“Lyrical, touching saga.” —VOYA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169379587
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	11/14/2006
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

Related Subjects

• Teens & YA
• Fiction
• Kids
• Teen Fiction
• Fiction & Literature - Kids
• Family & Relationships - Teen Fiction
• Family life->Teen fiction
• Games & Activities - Kids Fiction

Read an Excerpt

Part of Me

Stories of a Louisiana Family

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By Holt, Kimberly Willis

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Copyright © 2006 Holt, Kimberly Willis
All right reserved.
ISBN: 0805063609

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Time drags when you're waiting for an alligator to wake up and move. I thought of a song I taught Pie to sing when she jumped rope. And out there in the middle of nowhere, I started to sing, "Mumps, said the doctor. Measles, said the nurse. Vote, said the lady with the alligator purse!"

Marlene stared at me all bug-eyed. I guess I couldn't blame her. She'd never seen me act silly. By the second time around, though, she was singing with me. We sang louder and louder and darn if that old alligator finally opened his eyes. When he did, we screamed and clung to each other, then burst out laughing. The alligator started slowly moving across the road, dragging his long tail behind him. When he finally had cleared enough road that I could get around him, I held my breath and took off with a chug-chug and pressed down on the accelerator. My heart beat so hard I heard it pounding in my ears. When we'd gone a safe distance, we exhaled together and laughed again.

Continues...

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Excerpted from Part of Me by Holt, Kimberly Willis Copyright © 2006 by Holt, Kimberly Willis. Excerpted by permission.
Allrights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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