Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo (M Miller)

   
   

     Kate DiCamillo is such an amazing writer! No matter what the genre, no matter what the subject, when she takes an idea and makes it a story, it is well done AND worth reading. Raymie Clarke is a young girl who hopes to win the local Little Miss Central Florida Tire contest by learning to twirl a baton. At her lessons, she meets Beverly and Louisiana who hope to do the same. At least, that is the way the story starts. The three girls develop a strong bond and through several strange adventures become close friends with deep concern for one another. All three girls are dealing with some very realistic issues that kids today will relate to easily. At times funny and at times sad, DiCamillo captures readers with this good example of a realistic, although quite quirky, story of friendship and life. This is a great read for kids in grades four through seven, IMHO (and, of course, for the teachers of these kids).  This book will be back in the library, with the others I have reviewed, for July 19th, if you are interested. :) Did I love this one? Yes, I did!!

Gemini by Sonya Mukherjee (M Miller)

     I am starting with one I just finished.  :) This is just to get us going.

I loved this story! It is realistic fiction about conjoined twins. The author's voice is fresh and right on the mark as far as teen life. We hear from each twin in alternating chapters as Clara and Hailey deal with life in their senior year. When I started this book I thought I would not like this. I thought it would take a sad turn. But, I was surprised at what a hopeful and spot on story it is. :) Yay! Now, I just have to get a real copy for the library. Mine was a galley. For grades 8-12.