~ MMGM HISTORICAL FICTION 'RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE' ~

~ MIDDLE-GRADE HISTORICAL
FICTION FEATURE ~

--  'RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE'  --

AUTHOR KATE DiCAMILLO

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight,

Author Bio & Book Review~

  LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}: 

Kate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.

Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.

Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
 

MY REVIEW:
I was introducted to this award-winning author when I recently read a poignant and encouraging blog post on the Rain City Librarian blog. 

The post is about 'R-E-J-E-C-T-I-O-N-S'. A word all authors, including myself, hesitate to utter aloud for fear of the ugly and unwanted news it will magically attract to our inboxes.

The post mentioned that Kate DiCamillo received 473 -- yes, that's right -- 473 rejections from publishers and literary agents for her debut middle-grade novel, 'Because of Winn-Dixie'. The good news for readers is this novel was eventually published in 2000 by Candlewick Press and has since become a feature film.

NOTE: If you'd like to read the original post on the Rain City Librarian's blog, follow this link: Publishing 101 Post on Rejection

I simply had to read this book written by a resilient author, so I borrowed 'Because of Winn-Dixie' from the public library and read it straight through one hot summer afternoon recently. I enjoyed it for many reasons. The quirky characters and delightful dog, Winn-Dixie, won me over immediately. This led to my wanting to read more of the author's work . . .

I found 'Raymie Nightingale' in the library's online catalog, and when I realized the story was set in 1975, I decided to check it out. {I may have mentioned this before a few times here on 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' -- I adore historical fiction!}

'Raymie Nightingale' is a story of the friendship between three unlikely friends -- Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly. Set in Florida beginning in June, 1975, the author takes us on several adventures as the three girls make an effort to resolve the issues they are facing in their individual lives.

Louisiana lives with her grandmother because her parents are both deceased. This little family is living in poverty and are food insecure as we say in 2018. Louisiana has many fears and insecurities which reach beyond her hunger, and Raymie and Beverly look after Louisiana and help her in many ways.

Raymie and Beverly are both suffering from broken hearts due to their respective abandonments by their fathers. Raymie's father ran away with his girlfriend just two days before the novel opens. This wound is fresh and tender for Raymie and her mother. Having these new friends seems to give Raymie a purpose. I feel Raymie's friendship with two other hurting souls allowed this character's compassionate, empathetic, kind nature to come to the surface. She seemed to blossom before my eyes.

Beverly finally admits her father is a police officer, in New York. She is mysterious and secretive about why her father lives in New York while she and her mother live in Florida. Beverly is the opposite of Raymie on the exterior. She is brash, sassy, and impatient. She has a mean streak a mile-wide, and she doesn't think before she speaks or acts on many occasions. Beverly has a lot of gumption and will take on challenges the other two girls will not. Deep down, she is not a bad person. She has simply built barriers up around her to keep from being hurt anymore in her young life.

I will not post any spoilers here, but it's easy to see why this book would appeal to middle-grade readers. The themes of friendship, adventure, and a common goal to work toward make this book a winner for readers of all ages!

Highly-recommended to fans of historical fiction, adventure fiction, and summer-themed stories.

Borrowed from the children's section of the local public library.

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Tuesday, June 26th: A Book Blast from a collection of non-fiction, personal stories from several Christian authors, 'Arise From the Ashes'. Event hosted by Write Now Literary.

-- Thursday, June 28th: Blog Tour stop for 'Falling for the Cowgirl' by Author Tina Radcliffe. Post includes a book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway. Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity.

-- Monday, July 2nd: In honor of Independence Day on July 4th in the United States, my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday feature will be a non-fiction title, 'What is the Declaration of Independence?' Post includes a book spotlight and review. 

-- Friday, July 6th: 'Top Ten California Towns in Which to Find Vintage Treasures' article. This list includes some of my favorite towns to visit around Northern and Central California including an assortment of shops and museums.

-- Wednesday, July 11th: 'Dangerous to Know' Blog Tour. Post includes a Book Spotlight and Excerpt. Tour organized by AJ Publicity.

-- Friday, July 13th: 'Hope of Azure Springs' Blog Tour. Post includes a Book Spotlight, Excerpt, and Giveaway. Tour organized by JustRead Publicity.

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