The author of Swear to Howdy is Wendelin Van Draanen. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and you wouldn't want to stop reading it. Swear to Howdy is very comical. This book has some depressing and sad things that happen. A boy moved to a small town called Lost River which was named after the river that the town is near and his name was Russell Cooper. He made good friends with his new next door neighbor Joey Banks. Both Joey and Russ had sisters who were cruel. Their names were Amanda Jane, Joey sister and Jenna Mae, Russ's sister or "sissy" as everyone calls her. Joey and Russ didn't know that this was going to be the most tragic summer of their lives.I liked this book because it is funny and it kept me on the edge of my seat when I read it. I think this book is mainly for teens but younger children can read it as well as adults. This book made me think things through before they act.