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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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
April 12, 2016 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781101917442
- File size: 127689 KB
- Duration: 04:26:01
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 550
- Text Difficulty: 2-3
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Reviews
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Narrator Jenna Lamia's characterizations are key to the success of this audio production as 10-year-old Raymie hatches a plan to win back her father, who has recently deserted her family. An attempt to win the title of Little Miss Central Florida leads to baton-twirling classes and to making friends with two other girls. Together they become the "three rancheros." Lamia's portrayal of introspective, uncertain Raymie contrasts with those of outspoken Beverly Tapinski and soft-spoken storyteller Louisiana Elefante. The adventures of three girls trying to find their places in the world are set in a small town populated by quirky characters. Lamia's deft sketches, especially those of Raymie's neighbor, an elderly philosopher, and the comforting receptionist at Raymie's father's office, add color to the story. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine -
May 30, 2016
Set in 1975, DiCamillo’s tender novel tells the story of three very different girls who become fast friends while partaking in the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. Raymie’s father recently ran off with a dental hygienist, and she hopes if she wins, it will somehow make him come back; Louisiana is an orphan who lives with her grandmother and gets through hardships with made-up stories and fantasies; Beverly is streetwise and angry at the world. They end up having some oddball adventures, involving trying to retrieve a lost library book and rescue a cat, and in the process learn about supporting friends and dealing with painful losses. Narrator Lamia’s warm, compassionate reading perfectly fits the uplifting tale, and she uses her voice to bring out the many humorous and quirky moments. All the characters have Southern accents, yet Lamia is able to give each a distinctive and memorable voice that reflects each character’s personality; for example, Louisiana sounds dreamy and vulnerable, whereas Beverly sounds tough as nails. Lamia is the perfect narrator for this bittersweet yet ultimately comforting audiobook. Ages 10–up. A Candlewick hardcover. -
Starred review from January 18, 2016
Set in 1975, this tender novel shows how even when life seems out of one’s control—people die, parents disappoint—persistence and belief pay off. The story is told from the perspective of Raymie Clarke, whose father has just run off with a dental hygienist. Raymie, however, has a plan to bring him back: she will win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire contest, get her picture in the paper, and her father will come running home. The plan inspires her to take a baton-twirling class, where she meets Beverly Tapinski—a girl with a chip on her shoulder, who vows to sabotage the contest—and ingenuous Louisiana Elefante, an orphan who claims to be the daughter of the famous Flying Elefantes. With extraordinary skill, two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo traces the girls’ growing trust in each other while using understated confessionals and subtly expressed yearnings to show how tragedies have affected each of them. The book culminates with a daring cat-rescue mission: fraught with adventure, danger, and a miracle or two, the escapade reveals how love and compassion can overcome even the highest hurdles. Ages 10–up. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.
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