Wells, Ken. Meely LaBauve: A Novel

Wells wrote this book on his commute from New Jersey to Wall Street. He acknowledges the courtesy of the conductors on the commuter rail and the silence of his seatmate. In his dedication, he thanks his parents for giving him what every child needs--love and a library card. He grew up in Louisiana so he used the bayous as a setting for this story about a boy growing up. Actually the book is Huck Finn Cajun style. Like Huck, Meely, short for Emile, is living on his own. When he finds himself in trouble, he discovers he is not alone.

Charlotte Thompson, July 28, 2000.