Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Title: Raymie Nightengale
By: DiCamillo, Kate
Published: 2016
Call #: J Dicam.K

Kate DiCamillo’s effortless prose and endearing young characters shouldering heartbreak make this a beautiful book for both middle grade readers and adults. It slides along so quickly and cleanly with so much humor and good cheer, you don’ t realize at first how much you are hurting for Raymie and her friends. This is the story of how 3 small town girls meet at a terrible baton twirling class — and learn together to share each others’ burdens and loan each other strength. No question a Newbery Award contender with Pax by Sara Pennypacker. Another fine entry in 2016 that deals with the effect of poverty on children, like Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate, but more graceful. Recommended to adult book clubs as well as middle grade readers who love realistic fiction (Fans of Peggy Horvath and Eva Ibbottson will particularly like this one. Fourth Grade through Eighth Grade.  MM

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