Carrying Albert Home — Homer Hickam

The long-awaited prequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Rocket Boys the basis of the movie October Sky follows Elsie Lavender and Homer Hickam, Sr., on a journey from the misty coalfields of West Virginia to the sunny beach towns of Florida.

When high school sweethearts Homer and Elsie are married, Elsie's ex-boyfriend movie actor Buddy Ebsen sends her a peculiar wedding gift, an alligator named Albert whom she adores.

Eventually, a jealous Homer gives Elsie an ultimatum: Me or the alligator! After giving it some thought, Elsie concludes there is only one thing to do: carry Albert home.

Based on a family legend, Carrying Albert Home is a road story, a portrait of Depression-era America, a rollicking adventure, and an unusual tale of that marvelous emotion we inadequately call love.