Louis undercover

cover image

Where to find it

Information & Library Science Library — Juvenile

Call Number
Graphic Britt
Status
Available
Call Number
Graphic Britt
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

A stunning graphic novel from the award-winning creators of Jane, the Fox and Me.

In this powerful new graphic novel from Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault, we meet Louis, a young boy who shuttles between his alcoholic dad and his worried mom, and who, with the help of his best friend, tries to summon up the courage to speak to his true love, Billie.

Louis's dad cries -- Louis knows this because he spies on him. His dad misses the happy times when their family was together, just as Louis does. But as it is, he and his little brother, Truffle, have to travel back and forth between their dad's country house and their mom's city apartment, where she tries to hide her own tears.

Thankfully, Louis has Truffle for company. Truffle loves James Brown lyrics, and when he isn't singing, he's asking endless questions. Louis also has his friend Boris, with whom he spots ghost cop cars and spies on the "silent queen," the love of his life, Billie.

When Louis and Truffle go to their dad's for two weeks during the summer, their father seems to have stopped drinking. And when Truffle has a close call from a bee sting, their mother turns up and the reunited foursome spend several wonderful days in New York -- until they reach the end of the road, again.

A beautifully illustrated, true-to-life portrayal of just how complex family relationships can be, seen through the eyes of a wise, sensitive boy who manages to find his own way forward.

Key Text Features

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Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3

Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

Sample chapter

He's thinking of our life before, when all four of us lived here, and he built chairs smelling of wood and varnish, and my mom made shortbread cookies smelling of butter and peace of mind. He's thinking back to Truffle's squeals when he was a baby, his first words: Feeeel-good. He's thinking back to our camping trips, our guessing games in the car, our snowball fights. He's thinking of my mom's smile back when she still smiled. I know because I am, too. * * * That's her, Billie. She's a spectacled siren, a rainstorm, a chocolate fountain, a silent queen. Billie doesn't say much. ... But when she does speak, the world ignites and explodes in clusters of honey and fire. Excerpted from Louis Undercover by Fanny Britt All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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