Lu and the Swamp Ghost

A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling fearful of someone new or is judging others based on rumors. Set in the Louisiana bayou during the Great Depression, this story follows a curious girl named Lu. Her cousins try to scare her with tales of a Swamp Ghost, but Lu's bravery leads her to discover the “ghost” is just a lonely boy named Cap. By offering him kindness instead of fear, she makes a wonderful new friend. The book gently explores themes of empathy, courage, and looking beyond prejudice. It’s a perfect, quiet story for early elementary readers that models how compassion can overcome fear and loneliness, and it opens the door for conversations about fairness and friendship.