Age Group: 9 - 12 Years, 12+ Years

Description: Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo is a heartfelt middle-grade novel set in 1975 Florida. Ten-year-old Raymie Clarke believes that winning the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition will bring her estranged father back home. At baton-twirling lessons, she befriends two very different girls: determined Beverly Tapinski and sensitive Louisiana Elefante. Together, the “Three Rancheros” embark on small adventures, rescue missions, and unexpected acts of kindness, discovering the healing power of friendship and resilience. Through their struggles with loss, loneliness, and family challenges, the girls support one another and grow in courage and compassion. DiCamillo’s gentle storytelling and quirky characters create a moving tale about hope, bravery, and finding light in dark times. Raymie Nightingale was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, further cementing Kate DiCamillo’s reputation as a Master of Children’s fiction