Elizabeth, Louisiana, is the perfect place to live. Mama, Daddy, and Beaux love the house. Daddy and Beaux particularly like it because West Bay Game Reserve is right behind the house, and Clyde's Pond is across the highway. Hunting and fishing without even getting in the car! Then Daddy deploys to Afghanistan for army duty, Mama gets a job in the library, and Beaux, eleven years old, is too old for a babysitter this year. This summer challenges Beaux with exciting new adventures. He makes new friends, gets a job, and goes to summer school. The whole family calls this exciting summer the Alligator Summer.