Root Hog or Die (Newly revised)

Revised: All the chapters have been revised. The novel is posted in its entirety so you may read at your leisure. There has been some shuffling so the previous reviews may not always match up with the chapter that it is attached to (likewise with the chapter number in the text). I have eleminated the prologue up front, reduced/deleted substantial segments and excess wordage throughout, and simplified speaker modifiers throughout. I have tried to cull a lot of the "was" without diluting the voice of the narrator (Does it work?). I hope this final go through will make it ready to publish, so any comments whatsoever will be appreciated - punctuation, character, dialgoue, flow, ANYTHING you think would improve the readability. This novel is set within an orphanage in North Carolina during the mid fifties and sixties. Though it is basically true, the characters are composite and the time lines may be occasionally altered with some literary license thrown into the mix - so, I have changed the genre from memoir to commercial fiction this time around to perhaps attract more reviewers. Opinions? Thanks for your help and advice.

• Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Just to Start (Revised without prologue)"This will introduce Luke to..."
• Chapter 2 - One Small Step"The order of the chapters h..."
• Chapter 3 - Same Time Dream (Revised)"I would appreciate comments..."
• Chapter 4 - For the Record (Revised)"Any and all suggestions for..."
• Chapter 5 - Fight or Flight"A new character comes into ..."
• Chapter 6 - Black and Gray"Luke is now eleven and move..."
• Chapter 7 - The Incinerator"This chapter is rather long..."
• Chapter 8 - The Insanes"I have cut a good bit since..."
• Chapter 9 - The Contest/Departure"This is really two stories ..."
• Chapter 10 - Becky"Some revisions have been ma..."
• Chapter 11 - The Cigar"This chapter gives a descri..."
• Chapter 12 - The Confrontation"The trip to see Luke's sist..."
• Chapter 13 - The Barber"This chapter introduces ano..."
• Chapter 14 - The Campus Whore"After an accident, Luke get..."
• Chapter 15 - Pheremones on Morrow Mountain"Luke is invited on a social..."
• Chapter 16 - Beer or Milk"Going out to steal watermel..."
• Chapter 17 - I Know Whom I Have Believed"A night in the hospital wit..."
• Chapter 18 - The Games"Luke and others show two ne..."
• Chapter 19 - The Rendezvous"This chapter may be conside..."
• Chapter 20 - Is It Tomorrow?"Luke and Becky's first off-..."
• Chapter 21 - The Rain Came"Becky and Luke take a walk ..."
• Chapter 22 - Tan Suede Slacks"Because of the previous wor..."
• Chapter 23 - The Box"A strange box awaits Luke's..."
• Chapter 24 - Tomorrow"Luke learns that "Tomorrow"..."
• Chapter 25 - The Unwrapped Christmas Present"There is an unexpected surp..."
• Chapter 26 - Love Is a Difficult Thing"Upon returning from Christm..."
• Chapter 27 - Pat's Return"Pat's return calls for cele..."
• Chapter 28 - It Is A Concern"I have skipped a chapter to..."
• Chapter 29 - The Raven"Luke meets with Mr. Quigley..."
• Chapter 30 - Run, Faber, Run"Luke and Richard are asked ..."
• Chapter 31 - Brother's Keeper"Luke enters a talent show."
• Chapter 32 - The Picasso"This chapter opens with Luk..."
• Chapter 33 - This Magic Moment"Luke visits Becky while on ..."
• Chapter 34 - The Scholarship"Luke winds up preaching dur..."
• Chapter 35 - Root, Hog, or Die"Luke becomes Youth Week Pas..."
• Chapter 36 - Revenge"Luke prepares to leave Myer..."
• Chapter 37 - Exodus (Part 1)"Luke leaves Myers Home."
• Chapter 39 - The Picasso"Luke's Christmas vacation i..."