Eugenia Lincoln, who prefers an orderly and predictable lifestyle, simply can't handle it when an accordion arrives on her doorstep, addressed to her but with no indication as to who may have sent it. Eugenia is determined to send back the accordion, but the company won't accept her return, and she can't seem to destroy or donate the instrument either. After many frustrations, it becomes clear that Eugenia is stuck with this accordion - but is that really so bad? Or might Eugenia find a way to love it after all?

In any other series, Eugenia would probably be an uncomplicated and unlikable character, but because the nature of the Deckawoo Drive books is to explore the humanity of the characters, DiCamillo instead gives us a reason to sympathize with the curmudgeonly older woman, despite how she sometimes bullies her sister, Baby and the neighbors' pig, Mercy Watson. This story really brings out the sweetness in the Lincoln sisters' relationship, and even though these are elderly women there is much for kids to learn from their interactions than can translate to their own families. I also love the way Mercy figures into the plot of the story and this wonderfully quotable (and funny!) line: ""Life was too annoying and unpredictable and pig-filled to be borne, sometimes."

This book is best suited to kids who are transitioning from beginning chapter books to longer middle grade novels, as the vocabulary is pretty advanced. But even readers who are far beyond most illustrated chapter books will find something to love in this book. The sense of humor is spot-on, and there is a warmth and a cleverness to the writing that helps it book stand out, not just among DiCamillo's works, but among chapter book series in general. Great stuff.