Kate DiCamillo
I met Kate DiCamillo several years ago before she became a "big star" in the children's book publishing field. We had a wonderful lunch together while I conducted an interview. Years have passed, many awards and accolades including a Newbery Medal, a movie of her book Because of Winn Dixie, and so much more have happened, but Kate is still the level-headed and delightful person she was when we first met. That is truly impressive. She is thankful that she has been able to accomplish so much and humbled by the fact that so many young readers (and adults) love her books.
She still lives in Minneapolis and loves it. While this year has been rather mild, winters there can be brutal. It is a small price to pay for what the city offers-great support for the arts and especially writers. However, fame does have a price, and part of it is travel to numerous speaking engagements and spending time with the logistics that go along with personal appearances. It really doesn't leave a lot of time to write unless you can put some controls on it. As Kate said, she is not the type of person who can say no, so now she has Steve and Vicki Palmquist who take care of her appearances (booking@windingoak.com) and they can say yes or no. As you might expect, Kate loves dogs but after she obtained Henry as a puppy (a poddle/terrier mix) Kate quickly discovered that she could not manage him and her career, since she would not be home to walk and care for him every day. She now has a perfect arrangement with a friend who brings Henry over to visit whenever Kate is in town.
Her latest book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, is one of those stories that wrote itself. She was given a rabbit for Christmas in 2002 and in early 2003 the story was written. The time lapse to publication has been waiting for the illustrations. Having read the book and seen it with and without illustration-it was worth the wait. As Kate put it "Bagram Ibatoulline painted what was in her head. It was almost unsettling." As with many writers and illustrators they have never met. One of her favorite pictures is that of the character Bryce which opens chapter sixteen.
The on-sale date and official launch of the book is Valentine's Day-February 14, 2006. Kate is booked to speak at the Fitzgerald Theater-an event jointly sponsored by Red Balloon and Minnesota Public Radio. "I feel really passionate-lucky to tell the story-and delighted with the time and effort that Candlewick is putting into the book. I probably love more than I should." Not according to our reviewer and my own reading. It is effective and touching and Sheilah Egan's review below brings that out. The book also received a starred review in School Library Journal, so I think Kate can relax and feel that yes, people did get it and they are enjoying the book.
Other projects have also been underway and Kate has completed her fifth Mercy Watson story. The plan is to bring out one in the spring and another in the fall. How did Mercy come to be-once again it was a name that popped into her head and she knew it was a pig. It dogged her for a long time until she finally pulled the pieces together -a toast loving pig who lives with a human family. The stories are pure fun. People get it because it is a romp.
According to Kate, life is good. She has time to herself, a great family of friends in the twin cities, and really enjoys reading, eating and the times she spends with friends. Her big hope that the books she writes go into many hands. There is no doubt in my mind that they have and will continue to be enjoyed by many many young readers.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
If I had to pick the book that most deserved the 2001 Newbery year, it would be Because of Winn-Dixie, a remarkable first novel by author, Kate DiCamillo. Even the design of the book is inviting. The print is large, the margins wide, and the size unusual. All these predict a uniqueness that the novel lives up to.
This is the story of ten-year-old India Opal Buloni who moves with her preacher father to Naomi, Florida. She wanders lonely in unfamiliar streets until her father sends her to the Winn-Dixie grocery store for a package of macaroni and cheese and she returns with a dog whom she names for their meeting place. "He was a big dog. And ugly. And he looked like he was having a really good time. His tongue was hanging out and he was wagging his tail. He skidded to a stop and smiled right at me. I had never before in my life seen a dog smile, but that is what he did." DiCamillo's style is simple and fresh. Sentences are short and these represent her viewpoint character well and create an easy to read novel with a strong voice and a spare beauty.
DiCamillo's artistic gift for structure parallels this style. She works at several levels at the same time and does so with apparent ease. On a strict plot level, Winn Dixie's appearance causes Opal to meet some of the eccentric occupants of her new town. Librarian, Miss Franny Block renews her storytelling self as Winn-Dixie snuffles at her feet and Opal prods her with questions. Gloria Dump, seen by local children as a witch, reveals herself as an extraordinary gardener and someone who listens "with all her heart."
DiCamillo knits together all these friendships into a whole much bigger than its parts and the miracle is we don't see it happening. Gradually, Opal opens up communication with her father, understands ways to deal with her mother's desertion, gets beyond appearances to see her connection with an apparent bully, makes some kind of healing in each person she meets and even builds a sense of community. All these are teased into an exquisite fabric united by a dog who can smile and the kind of understatement only achieved by total immersion in character.
Opal is a likable and selfless character who finds her own sense of self thorough caring about everyone she meets. And there is an extra added plus. This is the story of the love between a child and a dog where the dog doesn't die.
Contributor Susie Wilde
Reviews
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
Sometimes when you lose your mother, you lose your father, too. That's what has happened to India Opal when we meet her in this gentle and heartwarming novel. Ten-year old India Opal has just moved to a new town with her father, a preacher, who has not recovered from India's mother walking out on them. Facing the double loss of her mother and her friends from her old town, and living with an emotionally crippled father, India has to find her own way. And she does-with courage, charisma, and charm-aided by her new best friend, a large dirty, abandoned dog who has an unresolved past of his own. The two of them, India Opal and Winn-Dixie, learn about friendship, fear, loss, and love. For children and adults alike, this book is a celebration of life. 2000, Candlewick Press, Ages 10 up, $15.99. Dia L. Michels
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
Imagine naming a dog "Winn-Dixie" after the grocery store. Your own name causes kids to mock you "Lunch Meat!" That partly describes India Opal Buloni, a preacher's daughter, who tells us about her first summer in Naomi, Florida. Opal adopts the lovable, mangy dog whose personality changes her life and the lives of the quirky characters in this rural community. The kids think Gloria Dump is a witch but Opal discovers a kind, wrinkled old lady with bad eyesight who wins her friendship when she says, "Since I don't see so well, why don't you tell me everything about yourself so I can see you with my heart." Opal couldn't be happier. "I'd been waiting for a long time to tell some person everything about me, I did." A splendid story with heart, humor and hope. This is Newbery quality. 2000, Candlewick Press, Ages 9 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
A child's innocence and passion are explored in this wonderful tale. As a new arrival to the town of Naomi Florida, India Opal Buloni's life is stirred up when she meets a raggedy dog she names Winn-Dixie. India is a disarming and intriguing child, full of sadness and questions regarding her mother who left the family. India finds hope and truth through her interactions with some of the people of her new town. Miss Franny Block, Naomi's librarian, opens India's heart and mind with stories and memories of the town. Otis, the man responsible for the pet shop, helps India see that everyone has something magical within, regardless of their past. Miss Gloria Dump, though mostly blind, helps India see into people's hearts. India's greatest triumph is with her father who, through the help of India and Winn-Dixie, learns to open up about her mother's leaving. The finale, a party with this odd group of friends, gives a heart-warming conclusion to this story. 2000, Candlewick Press, Ages 10 up, $15.99. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States
The Best of Book Sense From the First Five Years, 1999-2004; Book Sense; United States
Books to Read Aloud to Children of All Ages, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2000; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 2000; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Winter 2001; Book Sense 76; United States
Children's Books of Distinction, 2001; Riverbank Review; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2001; Children's Literature; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 1, 2000; United States
Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 2000; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 2001; Children's Book Council; United States
Notable Books for Children, 2001; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 2000; Cahners; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 2000; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2000; Cahners; United States
Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 2000; Smithsonian; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 2001 Middle Grade Readers United States
American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year (ABBY) Award Winner 2001 Children's Literature United States
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Winner 2002 Maryland
Blue Hen Book Award Winner 2002 Chapter Book Delaware
Charlotte Award Winner 2002 Intermediate United States
California Young Reader Medal Winner 2003 Intermediate California
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Winner 2003 Arkansas
Colorado Children's Book Award Runner Up 2003 Junior Novel Colorado
Great Stone Face Award Winner 2002 New Hampshire
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Winner 2002 Vermont
Emphasis on Reading Winner 2002 Grades 2-3 Alabama
The Golden Archer Award Winner 2003 Intermediate Wisconsin
Golden Sower Award Winner 2003 Grades 4-6 Nebraska
Iowa Children's Choice Award Winner 2003 Grades 3-6 Iowa
John Newbery Medal Honor Book 2001 United States
Josette Frank Award Winner 2000 Fiction United States
Land of Enchantment Book Award Winner 2003 Children's New Mexico
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award Honor Book 2003 Louisiana
Maine Student Book Award Winner 2002 Maine
Mark Twain Award Winner 2003 Missouri
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Winner 2002 Massachusetts
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Winner 2002 Grades 4-6 Massachusetts
Mitten Award Winner 2000 United States
Nene Award Winner 2005 Hawaii
Nutmeg Children's Book Award Winner 2003 Connecticut
Parent's Choice Award Gold 2003 Best 25 Books in 25 Years United States
Prairie Pasque Award Winner 2003 South Dakota
The Sasquatch Reading Award Winner 2003 Washington
Sequoyah Children's Book Award Winner 2003 Oklahoma
South Carolina Children's Book Award Winner 2003 South Carolina
Southeast Booksellers Association Book Award Winner 2001 United States
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Winner 2001-2002 Grades 3-5 Florida
Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner 2002 Texas
Virginia Young Readers Program Winner 2003 Elementary Virginia
Volunteer State Book Award Winner 2003 Grades 4-6 Vermont
West Virginia Children's Book Award Winner 2003 West Virginia
William Allen White Children's Book Award Winner 2003 Grades 3-5 Kansas
Young Hoosier Book Awards Winner 2003 Intermediate Indiana
Young Reader's Choice Award Winner 2003 Junior Pacific Northwest
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Arizona Young Readers' Award, 2002; Nominee; Intermediate Books; Arizona
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Maryland
Charlotte Book Awards, 2002; Nominee; Intermediate; New York
Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Ohio
California Young Reader Medal, 2003; Nominee; Intermediate; California
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Reading List, 2002-2003; Nominee; Arkansas
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Colorado
Colorado Children's Book Award List, 2003; Nominee; Colorado
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Vermont
Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; Gr. 3-4; Alabama
Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 3-4; Alabama
Flicker Tale Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Juvenile Books; North Dakota
Garden State Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Children's Fiction; New Jersey
Great Stone Face Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; New Hampshire
Indian Paintbrush Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Wyoming
Iowa Children's Choice Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Iowa
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Kentucky
Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Children's; New Mexico
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, 2003; Nominee; Louisiana
Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Maine
Mark Twain Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Missouri
Maryland Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Intermediate; Maryland
Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Massachusetts
The Nene Award, 2002; Nominee; Hawaii
The Nene Award, 2003; Nominee; Hawaii
The Nene Award, 2004; Nominee; Hawaii
The Nene Award, 2005; Nominee; Hawaii
Nevada Young Readers' Award, 2002; Nominee; Young Reader; Nevada
Nutmeg Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Connecticut
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 3-6; Pennslyvania
Prairie Pasque Award, 2003; Nominee; South Dakota
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Illinois
Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2002; Nominee; Rhode Island
The Sasquatch Reading Award, 2003; Nominee; Washington
Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Children's Book; Oklahoma
South Carolina Book Awards, 2003; Nominee; Children's Book; South Carolina
South Carolina Book Awards, 2003; Nominee; Junior Book; South Carolina
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Florida
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2002; Nominee; Texas
Virginia State Young Readers' Award, 2003; Nominee; Elementary School Level, Grades 3-5; Virginia
Volunteer State Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Intermediate, Grades 4-6; Tennessee
West Virginia Children's Book Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; West Virginia
William Allen White Children's Book Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Grades 3 - 5; Kansas
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Intermediate Book (Grades 4-6); Indiana
Young Reader's Choice Award, 2003; Nominee; Junior Division-Grades 4th-6th; Pacific Northwest
ISBN: 0-7636-0776-2
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
This unexpected romp of a book is one of the best early readers I have seen lately. Mercy the pig is focused on one thing and one thing only: eating! When her owners count on her to rescue them, Mercy's actions are dictated completely by the pleasure principle: eating and having a good chase. Inadvertently, Mercy's visit next door in search of something tasty causes the rescue team to come and Mercy is lauded for saving the day. The story is strong and is a merry one and Mercy is all pig (and cute to boot!). Van Dusen's illustrations capture the tone of this fun tale and the rich exaggerated pictures will grab young readers completely. 2005, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 8, $12.99. Reviewer: Joan Kindig (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7636-2270-2
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
With the deceptively simple style of a Buddhist tale, DiCamillo gives us wonderful life lessons wrapped in the appealing story of a three-foot tall china rabbit. Edward Tulane was mostly china, but his ears and tail were real rabbit fur. He lived with and was loved by Abilene Tulane, a little girl who treated him as if he had sensitive feelings and was a true friend. Abilene's affection was not actually returned by Edward who had no feelings or cognizance of love; although, he did admire the way he looked in the silk clothes, fancy shoes, and hats that made up his wardrobe. Abilene's grandmother, Pellegrina, tucked both the girl and the rabbit into their respective beds each evening. She was the one who looked Edward in the eye and told the story of a princess who did not know or acknowledge love. Edward's journey toward an epiphany begins when the Tulane family goes on a cruise and the rabbit is accidentally tossed overboard in a scuffle. On the ocean floor, Edward has a long time to ponder his situation and Pellegrina's bedtime story. After a storm washes him ashore, Edward meets a loving couple who treat him as a family member. When their disagreeable daughter deposits him in the trash, Edward begins to realize how much he misses his friends. Other memorable encounters along the way reinforce his growth and recognition of profound emotions. The writing is spare and finely crafted by this award winning author. The extraordinary illustrations augment the truly gifted storytelling that is captured on the pages of this book. The characters are beautifully portrayed with a few deft words or a couple of short, straightforward sentences: (in describing a young boy)"He wiped his nose with the back of his hand and then played another bit of song on the harmonica." (demonstrating one of the ways Edward learned to know love) "And so he listened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still." Pellegrina's story did not have a happy ending, but DiCamillo provides an extremely satisfying ending to this tribute to the power of love to awaken feelings even in "a hollow China rabbit;" who discovered love, lost it, and found the courage to accept love again. Do not approach this striking book with any preconceived ideas, DiCamillo does give a nod to a traveling doll that is over 100 years old (Hitty) and, of course, another famous rabbit who benefits from love; but this book is a treasure in and of itself--all on its own--a perfect gem. 2006, Candlewick, Ages 8 up, $18.99. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7636-2589-2
Best Books: Children's Book Sense Picks, Winter 2005-2006; Independent Booksellers Association; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, January 15, 2006; United States
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
Chill winds call for hot cocoa and a good book. Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux serves up 52 chapters bursting with adventure. A noble mouse, villainous rat, light-filled princess, homely serving girl and ineffective king come together in a tale of love and redemption laced with humor. Despereaux, a big-eared mouse, struggles to thwart the rat's plan to plunge the princess forever into a dark dungeon. Meanwhile, the serving girl struggles to become a princess, the rat longs for light and beauty and the king makes one silly law after another. Softly shaded pencil drawings by Timothy Basil Ering beautifully detail this strange, shadowy world and are a just-right accompaniment to this nuanced book. 2003, Candlewick, $17.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
The young son of a friend asked if Kate DiCamillo would write a story about an unlikely hero with exceptionally large ears. The Tale of Despereaux is her answer, with all the surprises and warm feeling--and unlikely heroes--that we are coming to expect from DiCamillo. Despereaux is a mouse with exceptionally large ears even for a mouse. He was born with his eyes open. He can read. And he has fallen in love with a Princess. All of which makes him different enough to get thrown into the dungeon. It is a dungeon filled with rats and other dark horrors that make for quite an unpleasant chapter. Illustrator Timothy Ering captures the horrors (and the joys) in shades of pencil gray--a perfect art lesson by itself in how much detail and emotion can be captured with nothing more than a carefully manipulated pencil. The narrator frequently addresses the reader directly to make sure the reader is paying attention to a forthcoming or just-mentioned detail, but it is always in a friendly manner, like a grown-up putting an arm around the shoulders of a younger person. "Reader, do you know what 'perfidy' means? I have a feeling you do, based on the little scene that has just unfolded here. But you should look up the word in your dictionary, just to be sure." Obviously, a perfect opportunity to teach that lesson about figuring out words by their context. The book is full of whimsy and suspense and would be a perfect choice to read aloud to older students. 2003, Candlewick Press, $17.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books, 2003; Publisher's Weekly; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, Jul. 1, 2003; United States
Capitol Choices, 2004; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2003; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, July 15, 2003; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2004; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2004; NCTE Children's Literature Assembly; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, June 16, 2003; Cahners; United States
Top 10 Fantasy Books for Youth, 2004; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist 2004 Children's Literature United States
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Winner 2005 Vermont
Golden Archer Award Winner 2005 Intermediate Wisconsin
Great Lakes Great Books Award Winner 2005 Grades 4-5 Michigan
Indian Paintbrush Award Winner 2005 Wyoming
John Newbery Medal Winner 2004 United States
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Winner 2005 Grades 3-5 Kentucky
Maine Student Book Award Winner 2005 Maine
Minnesota Book Awards Finalist 2004 Young Adult Literature United States
Mitten Award Honor Book 2003 United States
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Finalist 2004 Children's Literature United States
Parent's Choice Award Silver 2003 Fiction United States
PEN Center USA Literary Awards Finalist 2004 United States
Rhode Island Children's Book Award Winner 2005 Rhode Island
White Ravens Award Winner 2004 United States United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Blue Hen Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Chapter Book; Delaware
Blue Spruce Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Colorado
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Arkansas
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Colorado
Delaware Diamonds, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Delaware
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Vermont
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 4-8; Vermont
The Golder Archer Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Intermediate; Wisconsin
Great Lakes Great Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Grades 4-5; Michigan
Indian Paintbrush Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Wyoming
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2005; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Kentucky
Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Young Adult; New Mexico
Maine Student Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Maine
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 3-6; Pennsylvania
Rebecca Caudill Award, 2006; Nominee; Grades 4-8; Illinois
Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Grades 3-6; Rhode Island
Sequoyah Book Award, 2006; Nominee; Children's Book; Oklahoma
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Florida
Volunteer State Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Intermediate Division; Tennessee
Young Reader's Choice Award, 2006; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Pacific Northwest
ISBN: 0-7636-1722-9
The Tiger Rising
Kate DiCamillo
Fresh on the heels of her Newbery Honor award for Because of Winn Dixie comes DiCamillo's latest, The Tiger Rising. DiCamillo seems to have a talent for getting inside the heads of lonely children and figuring out exactly where their pain is. In this book, we meet Rob who lives in a motel with his father as they are trying to get themselves on their feet following Mom's death. Rob is desperately unhappy as he tries to cope with his loss and finds that pretending nothing is wrong is the safest way to go. He likens it to putting all of his problems into a stuffed suitcase and sitting on the lid. School is a nightmare for Rob where he is the victim of two awful bullies. When the principal suggests that he take some time off while a rash he has on his legs heals, Rob feels like he has been sprung from prison. On his last day of school two important things happen, he finds a tiger in a cage and he meets Sistine. Sistine is a kindred spirit who is also dealing with the loss of her father due to divorce. It is their friendship and the voice of reason, an adult friend at the motel named Willie May, that begins a healing process for them. Like Because of Winn Dixie, the writing is deceptively simple and sparse. The characters are so well drawn and very believable. While the story is a sad one it ultimately becomes one of hope as these two lost souls begin to mend. Artfully executed, this short novel is a treat for the heart and soul. 2001, Candlewick Press, Ages 10 up, $12.99. Reviewer: Joan Kindig
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, January 2000; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2001; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Honor Book 2004 Grades 4-6 Arkansas
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Reading List, 2003-2004; Nominee; Arkansas
Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; Gr. 5-6; Alabama
Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades 5-6; Alabama
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Indiana
ISBN: 0-7636-0911-0
Updated 2/13/06
Updated 02/13/06
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If you’re interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.