by Kate DiCamillo
Flap Copy Description:
Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.
My Thoughts:
Ms. DiCamillo has launched yet another sparkling gem onto the sea of children's literature. (It's as though she's the Meryl Streep of kidlit books!) Raymie Nightingale will reach out and tug at your heartstrings, and if you're in need of inspiration, its complex characters will certainly come to your aid. The extraordinary cast of Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly live during the decade of the seventies and are carved from a bit of Southern Americana - they will long linger in your mind. I highly recommend Raymie Nightingale to readers aged eight to eighty!
Click here to learn about the award-winning author Kate DiCamillo.
