I was hoping for some suggestions for books with southern/rural characters similar to Luke from the Shadow Children Series by Haddix.

I have a surprisingly hard time finding southern characters in stories that emphasize their upbringing - farming, playing in the woods, raising livestock, etc. Without it being a book about rural lifestyles.

In Shadow Children, Luke discusses his upbringing a lot and the stereotypes associated with it, but the story is a YA dystopian thriller first and foremost.

I also like that Luke never intentionally or unintentionally leans into stereotypes regarding being a bigot or actually being ignorant or stupid.

I was hoping to find some books, particularly YA or generally breezy reads similar to Shadow Children (genre's not important, just not romance, preferably) that has a main character like this.

It both feels like a very specific request, and like one that shouldn't be so difficult to come up with, but I can't recall many examples of other characters like this, especially leads.

Most characters come from a nonspecific background, the suburbs, or the city. And southern characters seem to tend towards secondary positions, or lean into the worst stereotypes about the south.

Appreciate any recommendations though, even if they don't conform perfectly to what I'm requesting - even if it's just a book you want to recommend off the top of your head. Always looking for new things to read. Thanks!