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Age Range
12 - 17
Genre
folktale
Copyright Year
2005-12-28
Page Count
160
Publisher
August House
Grade Level
7th - 12th
ISBN
9780874830323
Themes
Appalachia
rural life

Laughter in Appalachia: A Festival of Southern Mountain Humor

Written by Loyal Jones & Billy Edd Wheeler and Illustrated by Jacqueline Froelich

The people of the Appalachian Mountains have a special kind of humor—dry, colorful, and full of down‑to‑earth charm. Sometimes they poke fun at their own everyday mix‑ups, and other times they tease the outside world and its fancy ways.

Jones and Wheeler, who have spent many years collecting and sharing Appalachian stories, gathered the jokes and tall tales in this book at the Festival of Appalachian Humor at Berea College. Inside, readers will find funny stories about hunting adventures, silly misunderstandings with doctors and lawyers, jokes about moonshine, and playful tales about religion. There are also short essays that explain where Appalachian humor comes from and why it has lasted so long.

This lively collection from the heart of Appalachia shows how laughter can teach us to be resourceful, trustworthy, and respectful. It’s a reminder that humor—especially the kind shared around front porches and campfires—can bring people together and help them face life with courage and good cheer.

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Age Range
12 - 17
Genre
folktale
Copyright Year
2005-12-28
Page Count
160
Publisher
August House
Grade Level
7th - 12th
ISBN
9780874830323
Themes
Appalachia
rural life
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