– The Conclusion To The Series Of Novels –
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press (September 24, 2019)
- Genre: Middle Grade
- Hardback: 256 pages
My Thoughts
This is New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo’s touching, funny, and fearless conclusion to her sequence of novels about the beloved Three Rancheros. Though it is a stand-alone book, it is a companion novel to Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home.
Beverly Tapinski has no reason to stay at home. Her dog is dead and her alcoholic mother is more interested in herself and drinking than being a mother. So Beverly heads to Tamaray Beach, Florida. She locates a place to stay, in Iola Jenkin’s trailer, and by lying about her age she finds a job at Mr. C’s restaurant.
As with many of DiCamillo’s books, the characters are unique and tend to own their place in the book. Iola is a lonely older woman who has lost her driving privileges and yet is still anxious to enjoy life on her terms, not her son’s. She picks up on the fact that Beverly might need a place to stay, so she allows her to move into her trailer with her. This move works as a two-way road. Beverly helps fill a void in Iola’s life, and Iola is hoping Beverly can drive. Though only 14, Beverly poses as Iola Jenkin’s niece and happily becomes the driver. While Beverly is slow to form too much of a relationship with Iola, in time subtle lessons are passed on to Beverly about friendship, consideration, and trust.
Other key characters include Elmer a clerk she meets at Zoom City, and Freddie a waitress who helps Beverly get her job at the restaurant.
While the other books focus on Raymie or Louisiana, this one as the title suggests is only about Beverly. A young girl who has developed a bit of a tough exterior and is determined to be independent and find her own way.
Beverly, Right Here is an enjoyable story of watching Beverly’s relationship with others as well as learn more about herself.
My thanks to #CandlewickPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I appreciate being able to post my opinion.
What Concerned Me:
Though there really wasn’t anything I could put my finger on, I didn’t feel as connected with this story as other books by Kate DiCamillo. I would still highly recommend it, however.
What I Liked Best:
I certainly liked the characters that surrounded Beverly and I enjoyed seeing the relationships grow with each of them.
Teaching Aids:
About The Author
I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, raised in Clermont, Florida, and currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I write for both children and adults and I like to think of myself as a storyteller.
Here are a few more facts about me: I am short. And loud. I hate to cook and love to eat. I am single and childless, but I have lots of friends and I am an aunt to three lovely children (Luke, Roxanne, and Max) and one not so lovely dog (Henry).visit her site
I think of myself as an enormously lucky person: I get to tell stories for a living.
