Lu and the Swamp Ghost

by James Carville, Patricia C. McKissack, David Catrow (Illustrator)

Set during the Depression, a little girl has a surprising encounter with a swamp ghost while checking out her father’s turkey traps in the wood, but after sneaking food out of the house to feed the creature in the hopes of keeping safe, the little girl comes to realize that the strange being is simply a desperate and dirty young boy just trying to survive his difficult circumstances. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Poverty, Ghosts, Historical Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2004

About the author

James Carville is an former U.S. Marine, political consultant, commentator, actor, media personality and pundit. Known as "the Ragin' Cajun," Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. Carville was the co-host of CNN's Crossfire until its final broadcast in June 2005. Since its cancellation, he has appeared on CNN's news program, The Situation Room. As of 2006, he hosts a weekly program on XM Radio titled 60/20 Sports with Luke Russert, son of NBC's Tim Russert. He is married to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin.

Reviews

[Anna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Summary: A young child named Lu feels that she is poor and wants to know what the depression is and her mother tells her that it’s when families have hard times they might have less than they used to but her mother also tells her that she is not poor because her family loves her. In the swamp she find a friend who doesn’t have a family and gives it a new home with love.
Grade Level: K-2
Classroom use: History and teaching the Great Depression
Individual Students; Those who might worry about what others think of them.
Small Group: Discuss in detail how the depression affected Lu
Whole Class: A read aloud to introduce the Great Depression
Related Books: Friendship books, Great Depression
Multimedia: Audio Books

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is co-written by the political consultant James Carville with help by establish children's book author Patricia C. McKissack; it also includes a CD with Carville reading the story in his thick, southern accent.

But, it is the illustrations that make this book exciting. They are in pencil and watercolor and go from pastel to bright earth tones, to dark blues and on depending on the setting and main character's mood. But, the cartoons are spunky and brilliant, filling every page with fun details that make the southern swamp setting seem magical.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting find in that it's written collaboratively by high flying Democratic consultant James Carville and longtime expert storyteller, Patricia McKissak. A story set in Louisiana during the Depression that comes out squarely on the value of sharing and the wealth that friendship brings regardless of varying realities of economics. Includes an audio CD read by Carville in his most southern Bayou drawl.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Lu and the Swamp Monster and I can't help but "go Southern" when reading it because I hear it so clearly in my head. Based on a story from the author's mother, Lu and the Swamp Monster takes place in Depression era Louisiana. Lu is a girl who is just learning what the word "poor" means and that while she is poor in money, she has enough to give to those who have less. The illustrations are brilliant in this book and are a delight for kids to see- the love to "figure out" the mystery- it isn't hard :)

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale takes place during the Depression-Era down in the Louisiana Bayou. Based on her mother's comment that you're never poor when you have family and one friend. Lu told herself she's just a little poor. When she comes face to face with the swamp ghost, an unlikely friendship is started.

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid story of friendship!

[sophie✧˖ °☾]

this book is a piece of my childhood in physical form.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up on a farm in the deep south near the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, surrounded by talk of the Great Depression, Lu wonders if she is poor. Her Mama explains, "You're never poor if you have a loving family and one good friend". Since everyone in her loving family works hard on the farm, Lu sets her mind to finding the only thing she is missing: a friend. One day out in the swamp she stumbles upon a ghost, but finding her courage, Lu learns that with some conversation and compassion all might not be what it seems ... it might actually be a friend ... lurking in the shadows.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 6/20/09 -


I saw this yesterday and picked it up because it looked cute and I noticed McKissack's name on the cover. (I recently read a book of hers and was impressed.)
My daughter is not yet 4 and this says it's for ages 4-8. IMO, it's more for children maybe 5 or 6 up. Julia liked the story but most of it was slightly over her head, for example, the Depression. It's a little longer than the ones she goes for at bedtime but she did enjoy it.
I wouldn't rate it any less because of this- it's a really cool book and I liked it a lot myself. I'm going to tuck it away until maybe next year and then pull it out and see what happens.
This also comes with a CD with the author reading himself which was pretty cool because it was both of our first times hearing a book be read like that.

[Bayou des Cannes Cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Absolutely some of the best illustrations I have ever seen. The CD is read by Carville and his accent is simply wonderful. My children and I have read this book a multitude of times. It offers a valuable lesson about bravery, friendship, compassion, and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This book afforded me the opportunity to discuss the "Great Depression" with my children. On rode trips we'd pop the CD in and listen to Carville's narration a multitude of times. Carville's voice and accent is captivating. My girls often brought this book along with them on vacations. It is a beautiful story to share with a child. I recommend this for a child's library.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look into the Louisiana Bayou. We really enjoyed reading this book aloud together, but we liked it even more when we listened to James Carville read it aloud on the accompanying CD. It's a good story and has a lot of detail, from the southern cooking to depression-era life to the creatures in the swamp. This book begs to be read with a Cajun accent. We love the theme of compassion and friendship woven throughout the tale.

"You're never poor if you have a loving family and one good friend."

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl, Lu, is growing up during the Depression in the Louisiana swamp and she asks her mother if she is poor. Her mother says, "Not if you have a loving family and one good friend." (A great definition of wealth in my book!) Lu has the loving family but not the one good friend. One day when she is out in the swamp she comes across a "swamp ghost" who demands she bring it food or he'll eat her. Gradually she develops a friendship with the ghost, who turns out to be nothing more than a boy down on his luck.

Great illustrations - love David Catrow.

[Sarah Kasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this story because of the illustrations and how great the story is written, because of this, "Lu and the Swamp Ghost," would be a great story to read during read-aloud time. Also, the theme of the story is basically that if you have family and friends, you have everything you will ever need. This is an important lesson to teach young children in general, but especially children who are struggling with family and/or friend issues.

[Mitchell Ary · Rating 3 out of 5]

i want to own this book! its so good. the illustrations are vivid and depict the text exactly how i pictured it to be. aside from that the plot is easy to follow but is thick in nature. i loved the main character and how innocent she was through out the story. also this is a great way to demonstrate to kids and adults how going out of your way to make a friend can helpy you out in the end. even if they arent the nicest when you first meet them.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, if not fairly sweet. I checked it out because I saw the illustrations were done by David Catrow. I liked the story, but I didn't love it or anything. I might recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Jeffrey Ellsworth]

A little girl that lives in the South by a swamp has no friends. She hears the stories of a swamp ghost and she actually meets him. She actually becomes best friends with the swamp ghost. Then it rains really hard one day and the swamp ghost is actually a boy (he was covered with mud, leaves, etc). Then the little girl takes the boy home to her family.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different sort of book but I liked the illustrations and the message about friendship and richness was good. I liked that it was based on real life as well. We listened to the included CD which was kind of fun. I think swampy regions are fun.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're never poor so long as you have friends. depression era Louisiana and a girl finds a swamp ghost- who turns out to be a boy in need of a friend. Ages 5-8

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful children's book with enough suspense to keep the kids on the edge of their seats.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations. Depression-era story with a sweet ending.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story. The audio by James Carville is perfect.

[Marshmallowlemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lu is growing up on the bayou during the Depression. She encounters a "ghost" who is really a boy without a family. They help each other.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's recording of this is excellent! Wonderful story I never would have picked up if it weren't for the CD.

[Kristen Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

All in all, not a terrible book but it sort of felt like it drug on and failed to be as meaningful as it was intended to be. I really wish that the plot lived up to the beautiful illustrations.

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting picture book about a little girl finding a "ghost" in the swamps and bringing it food and making friends. Set in the Great Depression, explores friendship and challenges.