10/02/2018
I’m sorry to say that this is one case where I had seen movies based on the author’s books, but hadn’t read the books themselves. Never having read them, I wasn’t sure what to expect style-wise from this middle school-appropriate story. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were vividly described and the situations Louisiana found herself in were sometimes laugh out loud funny. I really loved Louisiana’s voice, and was glad the author wrote the story in the first person; her commentary on the events gave additional perspective that fit the story perfectly. Fans of “Because of Winn-Dixie” and “The Tale of Despereaux” will definitely like this book!
My Goodreads review follows:
Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a short, easy read with a well-loved character at the center. Fans of the author’s “Raymie Nightingale” will be thrilled to see the return of Louisiana Elefante. Written in the first person, Louisiana’s voice really comes through. I can’t imagine this story being told any other way, because her voice is truly unique. Headstrong Louisiana deals with major life changes with tenacity, humor, and heart. Although not entirely easy to see on the surface, young readers will learn the message that good things come to those who wait, and that it sometimes just takes a little bit of faith in others to be able to find one’s own strengths. I would recommend reading “Raymie Nightingale” first, to get a better depth of understanding of the characters, but it isn’t necessary for understanding this book. Best for middle grades, although advanced elementary readers may enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley, Candlewick Press, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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