Review: Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving, masterful story of an unforgettable summer friendship.

 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.

 Paperback, 272 pages

Published May 1st, 2017

by Walker Books Australia

****

I read this book in anticipation the third book in series, Beverly, Right Here coming out next month. Last year I read book 2 in series Louisiana’s Way Home - talk about reading books way out of order. But no big deal each works just fine as a stand-alone. But once you start with one you will want to read more.

As you can read from the synopsis, not just Raymie is on a mission but Louisiana and Beverly as well.  It’s Raymie that I got a clearer picture of this time around. A confused girl who just wants her dad back, to have him show he cares and what better way than to win a contest that will make her famous.

Each of these girls - Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly has a quirky way of thinking, with actions that just confirm it. The journey is comical at times, full of innocence and drive. It’s their ‘I don’t care what anyone thinks’ attitude that kept me entertained.

I’ve read a number of Kate DiCamillo books, it's her writing style that I have come to love, her way with words that make me smile and characters that are hard to forget.  I recommend her books whenever I get the chance.

This book is part of my 2019 reading off my shelf challenge.

 clicking on the cover will take you to my review