YA Fiction. Boy in Florida trying to fit in (low self esteem? trouble maker?). Friend gets bit by an Alligator in the backyard. Brother? isn't very nice. Read around late 1990's/early 2000's.

[Laura]

I read this in probably late 90's early 2000's, and I remember it was more like a memoir, but it was a bit strange. I think the main character may have lived in a trailer park, or his family had moved to Florida and he had a hard time making friends or fitting in.

[Rainbowheart]

Maybe something on this list?

Trailer Parks in YA and Middle Grade Fiction

[Tab]

A few books set in Florida with alligators

Alligator Crossing
The Boy Who Loved Alligators

Do you remember the cover?
Part of a series?
Time period story takes place?

Do alligators play a big part in the plot?

[Laura]

I vaguely remember the cover being white with black illustration, and maybe some yellow? I don't believe it was part of a series, and the alligator was not a major part of the story, but rather a significant event that was somewhat traumatic. I think there was a ravine or swamp in his back yard and the friend was bit, or maybe it was the dog was eaten, by the alligator, and it was a sobering event.

I remember the whole book in general having a weird sort of hick or run-down vibe, like things were just tough at home or living in borderline poverty.

I think it took place in the 80s or 90s

[Rainbowheart]

Did you rule out Tab's suggestion of The Boy Who Loved Alligators?

The Kirkus review sounds like a match....

Since his parents died when he was a baby, Jim—13 and woefully homely—has lived with his grandmother in Tampa. When she dies, the family meets to parcel him off. Things look grim until Billie relents. Despite "a house, two mortgages and no man,'' she'll take him home to Orlando—but only for the summer, until her two daughters return from visiting their father. Jim resolves to make himself indispensable, but life has taught him some harsh lessons and he hardly dares hope. He settles into a routine of housework, mowing lawns, and babysitting and meets Mr. Morrison, who likes Jim to read his mail to him, and his dog Trudie. Mr. Morrison tells Jim that the alligators in a nearby lake will eat dogs and warns him never to feed them. But to Jim- -yearning for a confidante, desperate to control his own life, quick to identify with a creature as ugly as he thinks himself to be—feeding a gator is irresistible; the worst is inevitable. Still, he weathers the tragedy and moves toward being adopted by Billie and accepted by her daughters. The quiet story realistically captures Jim's pain and his ultimate relief; a revelatory moment when he first sees a photo of his parents is especially poignant.

[Laura]

I must have overlooked that one - it does seem to match, but I'm not quite sure. I might try to get a copy to see if it is!

its funny, I can picture exactly what row and shelf it was on at my elementary school library (which has undoubtedly changed since 20 years ago) and I just wish I could go back and find it!

[Rainbowheart]

Here's a picture if it helps.

[Laura]

I'm not sure that is it, I wish I could remember more details!

[SamSpayedPI]

It's available at the Internet Archive.

[Rainbowheart]

Fingers crossed! I can't imagine there are too many children's books with alligators eating dogs.

[Laura]

Ok, so far I don't think that's it. I might have to update the subject line, and I'm not positive about the low self esteem or his brother. For whatever reason the thing I remember most was it was in Florida, and that there was an incident with an alligator in the back yard.

I wish I could remember more and articulate better. I think I remember finding it on the shelf in the library and reading it more out of curiosity, so it must have had an intriguing name. The main character I think was kind of a trouble maker, and it didn't have a lot of emotion in the story.

[Kris]

Thanks. I made a few updates to the header/subject line to emphasize Florida and alligator. Feel free to edit it.

[Taylor]

The brother, Florida, and self-esteem elements are reminding me of Tangerine.
Cover:

[Laura]

Ok, I think Tangerine is promising - I'm going to give it a read and see!

[Kris]

Here is Wikipedia's detailed plot summary - with Spoilers - of Taylor's suggestion Tangerine by Edward Bloor:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangeri...

Here is one of the Google Books previews - https://books.google.com/books?id=Hf5... There are different cover images.

[Rainbowheart]

In case it's not Tangerine, Oonawassee Summer?

[Kris]

Note: Laura (OP, original poster) was last active on the site in January 2023.