The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
By Kathi Appelt
Read by Lyle Lovett
Table of Contents
About The Book
2014 Audie Award Finalist for Children’s Titles for Ages 8-12
“Librarians 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.
Raccoon 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.
Twelve-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.
And 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.
The 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…
Newbery 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.
“Librarians 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.
Raccoon 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.
Twelve-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.
And 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.
The 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…
Newbery 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.
Reading Group Guide
A Reading Group Guide to
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
By Kathi Appelt
About the Book
Raccoon 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.
Twelve-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.
And help is surely needed, because world-class alligator wrestler Jaeger Stitch wants to turn Sugar Man Swamp into 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.
The 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 . . .
Discussion Questions and Activities
The following questions may be utilized throughout the novel study as reflective writing prompts or alternatively, they can be used as targeted questions for class discussion and reflection.
1. At the beginning of Chapter 1, as the raccoon brothers watch their parents depart from Information Headquarters, Daddy-O calls out to Bingo and J’miah and says, “Make us proud, boys!” Consider their jobs as Official Scouts of the Sugar Man Swamp. Why is this duty, ordained by the Sugar Man himself, so important? In your opinion, does this pair do a good job fulfilling their duties? Cite textual evidence to support your position.
2. Consider the novel’s title: In what ways does it capture the themes of the book?
3. Describe Chap. What makes him a dynamic character? Is he the type of person you’d want to befriend? Why or why not?
4. Why is Chap’s loss of his grandpa Audie such a profound one? What do you learn about their relationship over the course of the novel? What are the most important life lessons that Chap learns from his grandpa?
5. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by Chap, Bingo, and J’miah in The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp?
6. Based on what you learn about him from the novel, describe Sonny Boy Beaucoup, the man who owns the Sugar Man Swamp. In your opinion, is he a good person?
7. Why is Chap’s discovery of his grandpa Audie’s lost DeSoto such a monumental event?
8. In what ways are Bingo and J’miah typical brothers? Is there anything about their bond that reminds you of the relationship you have with any of your siblings? If so, in what ways?
9. If you could select one character in the novel to learn more about, who would it be? What is it about this particular character you found interesting or intriguing?
10. Consider the novel’s cover. In what ways is the image portrayed there symbolic of the events that transpire throughout the course of the book?
11. In the opening of Chapter 24, Appelt tells readers, “It’s true that pigs can’t fly, but we’re here to talk about hogs.” What is it about the Farrow Gang that strikes such fear in those that know of their hunt for the canebrake?
12. Consider the variety of settings for The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp; name the three places you believe to be most important to the story. Using textual evidence from the book, explain why you find them to be significant to the overall story structure.
13. Why is Chap so determined to attract more customers to Paradise Pies? Beyond the financial support the restaurant provides to him and his mother, what does Paradise Pies symbolize for him?
14. Using the phrase, “This is a story about . . .,” supply five words to describe The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp. Explain your choices.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock, a teacher and school librarian in Coppell, Texas. Dr. Brock holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
By Kathi Appelt
About the Book
Raccoon 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.
Twelve-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.
And help is surely needed, because world-class alligator wrestler Jaeger Stitch wants to turn Sugar Man Swamp into 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.
The 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 . . .
Discussion Questions and Activities
The following questions may be utilized throughout the novel study as reflective writing prompts or alternatively, they can be used as targeted questions for class discussion and reflection.
1. At the beginning of Chapter 1, as the raccoon brothers watch their parents depart from Information Headquarters, Daddy-O calls out to Bingo and J’miah and says, “Make us proud, boys!” Consider their jobs as Official Scouts of the Sugar Man Swamp. Why is this duty, ordained by the Sugar Man himself, so important? In your opinion, does this pair do a good job fulfilling their duties? Cite textual evidence to support your position.
2. Consider the novel’s title: In what ways does it capture the themes of the book?
3. Describe Chap. What makes him a dynamic character? Is he the type of person you’d want to befriend? Why or why not?
4. Why is Chap’s loss of his grandpa Audie such a profound one? What do you learn about their relationship over the course of the novel? What are the most important life lessons that Chap learns from his grandpa?
5. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by Chap, Bingo, and J’miah in The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp?
6. Based on what you learn about him from the novel, describe Sonny Boy Beaucoup, the man who owns the Sugar Man Swamp. In your opinion, is he a good person?
7. Why is Chap’s discovery of his grandpa Audie’s lost DeSoto such a monumental event?
8. In what ways are Bingo and J’miah typical brothers? Is there anything about their bond that reminds you of the relationship you have with any of your siblings? If so, in what ways?
9. If you could select one character in the novel to learn more about, who would it be? What is it about this particular character you found interesting or intriguing?
10. Consider the novel’s cover. In what ways is the image portrayed there symbolic of the events that transpire throughout the course of the book?
11. In the opening of Chapter 24, Appelt tells readers, “It’s true that pigs can’t fly, but we’re here to talk about hogs.” What is it about the Farrow Gang that strikes such fear in those that know of their hunt for the canebrake?
12. Consider the variety of settings for The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp; name the three places you believe to be most important to the story. Using textual evidence from the book, explain why you find them to be significant to the overall story structure.
13. Why is Chap so determined to attract more customers to Paradise Pies? Beyond the financial support the restaurant provides to him and his mother, what does Paradise Pies symbolize for him?
14. Using the phrase, “This is a story about . . .,” supply five words to describe The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp. Explain your choices.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock, a teacher and school librarian in Coppell, Texas. Dr. Brock holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
About The Author
Photograph courtesy of the author
Kathi Appelt
Kathi Appelt is the author of the Newbery Honoree, National Book Award finalist, and bestselling The Underneath as well as the National Book Award finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, Maybe a Fox (with Alison McGhee), Keeper, and many picture books including Counting Crows and Max Attacks. She has two grown children and lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband. Visit her at KathiAppelt.com.
About The Reader
Lyle Lovett
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (July 23, 2013)
- Runtime: 5 hours and 46 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781442366138
- Ages: 8 - 12
Awards and Honors
- National Book Award Finalist
- ALA Notable Children's Books
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List
- Booklist Editors' Choice
- South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee
- Keystone to Reading Book Award Reading List (PA)
- Green Earth Book Award
- NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
- Indian Paintbrush Book Award Nominee (WY)
- Maine Student Book Award Reading List
- Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children's and Teens (DC)
- NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
- Judy Lopez Memorial Award Winner
- Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (TN)
- Nene Award Nominee (HI)
- Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Nominee (AR)
- Georgia Children's Book Award Finalist
- Gate City Book Award Nominee (NH)
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
- Magnolia Book Award Nominee (MS)
- NY Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Young Readers Selection
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Unabridged Audio Download 9781442366138(2.8 MB)
- Author Photo (jpg): Kathi Appelt Photograph courtesy of the author(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
