Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
Reviewed by Jennie Fitzkee
When Raymie Clarke’s father runs off with a dental hygienist, she has a plan to get him back; but she will have to win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition to make this happen.
I was curious how the storyline would pull me in, and it did not disappoint. Ten-year-old Raymie must learn how to twirl a baton to win the competition and have her picture in the newspaper. Her father will see the picture and come back home. That’s her plan. Raymie befriends two girls at twirling lessons: brave and tough Beverly who can pick a lock and ever-cheerful Louisiana who lives with her grandmother and is prone to fainting.
The girls slowly band together as their diverse personalities emerge. As we learn about their lives and the innermost parts of their characters, particularly Raymie, a string of events occur. I could not put down the book because “what happens next” had me hooked.
The girls must solely depend on each other that summer. Louisiana dubs the trio The Three Rancheros.
The story is based in 1975. While the adults in Raymie’s life reflect a different generation, adding great flavor to the story, the three girls remain as true to today as yesteryear. The author writes for children and understands that growing up is timeless.
Kate DiCamillo has a way with words; she pulls the reader into her characters, and by the second chapter feelings of “That’s me!” have us locked in.
And what happens to the Little Miss Central Tire Florida competition? You’ll have to read the book to find out. It is well worth the read. Bravo to author Kate DiCamillo as she writes this book much in the style of Because of Winn-Dixie. If you enjoyed that book, you will certainly want to read Raymie Nightingale.
Jennie Fitzkee, a West Virginia native who lives in Massachusetts, has been teaching and reading to preschoolers for 30 years. Her blog, A Teacher’s Reflections, chronicles lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
[divider height=”1″ bg_color=”orange” margin=”20″ /]Waylon! One Awesome Thing by Sara Pennypacker (author of the Clementine series)
Reviewed by Debra K. Sullivan
Filled with an array of nicely developed characters, Waylon! moves at a fairly brisk clip through the daily doings and mind wanderings of Waylon, the “scienciest boy” first appearing in Clementine’s third grade class. Now a fourth grader, Waylon grapples with shifts in his classmates (including Clementine who makes an appearance) along with changes in his 14-year-old sister and the resulting altered family dynamics. Helped along the way by his down-to-earth scientist mother, his creative-minded father, his tender-hearted but going-through-a-phase sister, an unexpected ally, and others, Waylon deals with aspirations, the “new rules” of fourth grade, school projects, friendship, and age-appropriate dilemmas.
Waylon’s scientific knowledge is extensive and peppers his conversations and inner musings as well as his remarks exclaimed excitedly in the classroom. Writing with a light and humorous touch, and making good use of whimsical drawings by Pennypacker’s go-to Clementine artist Marla Frazee, the author cleverly weaves scientific facts into the narrative, charmingly explained by Waylon in animated, simple terms.
Waylon’s moments of introspection and self-discovery ring true. The dialogue is authentic as are the doubts and quandaries Waylon confronts. Why do things have to change? How can he reconnect with his sister? Why are the fourth grade boys following one student’s lead and competing now instead of collaborating like they used to? Why do people act the way they do? Will his big dreams ever come true?
Waylon! One Awesome Thing is the first in Pennypacker’s new series. By the end of the story, Waylon grows in an understanding of himself and others while at the same time coming to the realization that the best solutions often come from the most unexpected places and in the most unpredictable ways.
Suggested target audience: grades 2 – 4.
Debra K. Sullivan is a retired educator, member of the WV State Library Commission and the Kanawha County Public Library Board, an avid reader and proud grandmother of two children who are passionate about books.