Tiger's Life In My Louisiana Sky By Kimberly Willis Holt

There are many themes in the novel My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt. Through the events of Tiger’s life, the reader sees why differences make us who we are, why death is a part of life, and also that true friends will ask for nothing more than an individual’s companionship. As she grows, Tiger learns about life and all the difficulties it will bring, but she also learns that she will have friends who will be with her every step of the way. First of all, the author seems to make a point that people can sometimes find it hard to think that different is okay. In the novel, Tiger is often made fun of by Abby Lynn and her group of friends because her mother acts so out of place due to her condition. The girls seem to think that

In the book, Tiger’s granny dies of a heart attack while picking beans. Her granny is one of the only people she has to look up to and one of the only ones she can go to for advice. When Granny dies, Tiger loses that. She loses the one person that could tell her the honest truth of any matter, see right right through all the excuses and fake smiles, and “put everything in their rightful places.” Tiger tries to avoid everyone at the funeral; however, her family reacts differently to Granny’s death. Out of grief, Tiger’s mother stays in her room and cries while her sister Dorie Kay seems to resort to keeping busy to deal with her sadness. Nevertheless, life moves on in Saitter, and although it pains her, Tiger must move on too, but she will never forget the memories she has had with her beloved

In the beginning of the novel, all Tiger wants is for Abby Lynn to accept her into her group of friends. She even goes so far as to give up playing baseball so that she can seem more “girly,” and Abby will like her enough to agree to be her friend. However, when she is not invited to Abby’s swimming party, it breaks Tiger’s heart. She feels betrayed by Jesse Wade for going to the party without her. Eventually, she heals, and she is better off because she realizes that she does not need Abby Lynn as a friend to feel popular or loved. She also discovers that Abby Lynn never really was any better or worse than her. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, and they both have their own struggles. Before it is too late, she makes up with Jesse Wade for being upset with him, and unlike Abby Lynn, she gets her satisfaction by raising others up even when they did nothing but put her