The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp - Kathi Appelt

Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn joins forces with ancient Sugar Man, and raccoon-brother Swamp Scouts Bingo and J'miah to save Bayou Tourterelle from feral pigs and world-class alligator wrestler and would-be land developer Jaeger Stitch. A National Book Award finalist. Illustrations. nLibrarians often say that every book is not for every child, but The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp is (The New York Times). Meet Bingo and J'miah, raccoon brothers on a mission to save Sugar Man Swamp in this rollicking tale and National Book Award Finalist from Newbery Honoree Kathi Appelt. nRaccoon brothers Bingo and J'miah are the newest recruits of the Official Sugar Man Swamp Scouts. The opportunity to serve the Sugar Man--the massive creature who delights in delicious sugar cane and magnanimously rules over the swamp--is an honor, and also a big responsibility, since the rest of the swamp critters rely heavily on the intel of these hardworking Scouts. n nTwelve-year-old Chap Brayburn is not a member of any such organization. But he loves the swamp something fierce, and he'll do anything to help protect it. n nAnd help is surely needed, because world-class alligator wrestler Jaeger Stitch wants to turn Sugar Man swamp into an Alligator World Wrestling Arena and Theme Park, and the troubles don't end there. There is also a gang of wild feral hogs on the march, headed straight toward them all. n nThe Scouts are ready. All they have to do is wake up the Sugar Man. Problem is, no one's been able to wake that fellow up in a decade or four... n nNewbery Honoree and Kathi Appelt's story of care and conservation has received five starred reviews, was selected as a National Book Award finalist, and is funny as all get out and ripe for reading aloud.n