The Three Rancheros Series

Kate DiCamillo's writing is enchanting. In the midst of some highly stressful changes for our family we were reading the first two books in this series and these books worked a magic spell.

In Raymie Nightingale 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.

Why Mom loves this series:

• Kate DiCamillo's writing is second to none. It's like they were made to be read aloud, too. Just beautiful.
• DiCamillo has a way of writing about very real, heartbreaking situations without it feeling too heavy. These stories are all full of HOPE.
• Along with the serious situations there is always plenty of humor. DiCamillo has a way with quirky, loveable characters. And no two are alike!