My introduction to Kate DiCamillo’s Three Rancheros series took place when I stumbled across Lousiana’s Way Home, and became mesmerized while reading it. It turns out that this is actually the second book in this series about three friends, but the books are written so well that there are no spoilers if you read them out of order. The intended order of the three books is: (1.) Raymie Nightingale, (2.) Lousiana’s Way Home, and (3.) Beverly Right Here.
Reading this series reminded me of the Tillerman series by Cynthia Voigt, and how three of the books in that series (Homecoming, A Solitary Blue, and Come a Stranger) each included that same scene of a teacher falsely accusing a student of plagiarism, but from three different points of view.
The characterization is excellent. I love Raymie’s thoughtful way of flexing and unflexing her toes, just as her swim coach taught her, when she is thinking through a problem (such as her father running away with a dental hygienist). I love Lousiana Elefante’s quirky otherworldliness, which she shares with her eccentric grandmother. I love how tough Beverly tries to be on the outside, even while she has the most enormous, humongous caring heart.
This is a great reading recommendation to parents who like to share family read-alouds of chapter books with their children, and for kids who like realistic fiction. It’s also a great pick for parents who feel protective about the content of what their children are reading, either due to the kiddo being a prolific reader who is also on the young side, or due to religious concerns.
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