Read Clean YA with CJ Episode Thirty-Seven
Welcome to another episode of Read Clean YA with C.J., featuring middle-grade author C.P. Landry, creator of the Cajun Kids Adventure series.
Episode Show Notes below
Links to Things Discussed in this Episode
Cajun Adventures and Family Values: Inside the World of C.P. Landry's Award-Winning Series
Episode Show Notes:
Meet C.P. Landry
A lifelong resident of South Louisiana and descendant of French Acadians (Cajuns), Landry draws from his family’s rich heritage and experiences to create authentic, engaging stories:
“Our books are loosely based on our five kids’ real life growing up at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River… 17 miles by boat from the nearest piece of concrete.”
The Heart of Cajun Culture
Landry weaves authentic Louisiana elements throughout his stories:
- Traditional Cajun cuisine
- Local wildlife and landscapes
- Historical facts about the region
- Chitimacha Indian heritage
“I love blending in Louisiana history… Not only are you reading to be entertained, but you’re actually learning and developing that culture.”
Themes That Matter
Family Values
“Mom and dad are not only alive, but they’re engaged in their lives. They turn to mom and dad when they have questions or when they need help.”
Respect for Authority
Each book features different authority figures:
- Sheriff’s deputy
- Wildlife biologist
- Coast Guard lieutenant
- Wildlife and fisheries enforcement agent
Character Building
“I love being able to tell kids, ‘Enjoy being a kid, but realize there’s times when you have to step up and make those tough decisions and make the right ones.'”
The Writing Journey
On becoming an author later in life:
“I never planned on being a writer… This has been a really crazy journey… I thank God at my age, I’m 62, that He’s still challenging me every day to step outside of what I want to do.”
Impact on Young Readers
Parents report their children:
- Get lost in the adventures
- Explore nature more
- Learn about different ways of life
- Develop respect for authority
Connect with C.P. Landry
Find the Cajun Kids Adventure series at:
- Website: www.cajunkids.com
- YouTube channel featuring virtual airboat tours
- Major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.com
- Local South Louisiana bookstores
The series includes multiple volumes of family-friendly adventures that bring Louisiana’s unique culture and landscape to life for readers everywhere.
For more clean middle-grade and YA book recommendations, tune in to Read Clean YA with C.J..
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C.P. Landry
Author
C. P. Landry is a lifelong resident of South Louisiana and a descendant of the original French Acadians now known as Cajuns. His wife of 40 years shares a similar heritage as the fifth generation to hunt, trap, and fish the marshes of the Atchafalaya River Basin. Together, they raised their five children to respect their heritage and land. The Cajun Kids Adventure series is loosely based on the experiences, challenges, and shenanigans of his children’s unique upbringing.
About Your Host
Award-winning author CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As the podcast host for Read Clean YA with CJ, she loves talking about books and the deeper themes woven into the pages of each novel. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She chats about writing, her faith, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis Series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Recruit of Talionis, Book 1
A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis?
Fugitive of Talionis, Book 2
They kidnapped her. Trained her. And now they’re hunting her.
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