Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewer: Jessica Higgins
Fans of DiCamillo’s Raymie Nightingale will love this continuation of Louisiana’s story!
Louisiana’s granny has always been eccentric, if not a little crazy. So, when she wakes her up in the middle of the night to leave home immediately, Louisiana is not all that worried. That is, until they cross the state line from Florida into Georgia and granny keeps driving. Realizing that granny actually intends never to return home, Louisiana starts to sulk as she realizes that she may never see her friends again. This apparently has something to do with the curse that granny always said was on their head, which also inflicts a massive toothache in granny that causes them to stop in a small Georgia town. As they stay in the town, Louisiana’s life becomes entangles with several of the townsfolk including a young boy, a pastor, organ player, and surly hotel owner. Louisiana begins to learn the truth about her life and it may shake her entire foundation.
DiCamillo’s writing never disappoints and this book is no exception. She has a way of making the reader relate to her characters and yearn to walk alongside them. Louisiana first appeared in the 2016 release of Raymie Nightingale and readers immediately fell in love with the three main characters. They will be happy to find some of them returning in this spin off that focuses on Louisiana Elefante. I love to find YA and children’s books that have a good clean story that always focuses on tough times for today’s kids. Louisiana is definitely a wayward soul that is looking for guidance from multiple people and finally realizes that she can’t do it all by herself. With wit, wisdom, laughter, and tears, this book is destined to become a classic that people will love for years to come.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
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