This was not DiCamillo's best work. The first third of the book was an effort to read. Though I haven't read many of DiCamillo's books, I know how beloved many of them are.

Louisiana’s story is simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful. Kate just has a way of addressing tough topics with love & hope, and this is no exception. Gorgeous writing, as usual!

I enjoyed this even more than Raymie Nightingale. Louisiana's voice is so unique and lovely. If everything works out a little too perfectly to be believed, you won't hear me complaining. Kate Dicamillo has created another wonderful, sad, quirky but ultimately hopeful story.

Louisiana finds herself on the road with her Granny. She wants nothing other than to turn around and go home. Having to leave her friends and parts is very hard for Louisiana. She wants to be Home. Home is very important to her. This was a very enchanting look at a young girl on a mission to be happy. She must find where she belongs. You will love this novel by Kate DiCamillo! You will love it! I know my fifth and sixth graders will love it too! I plan on putting it in my classroom library!

Disappointing. I loved Raymie Nightingale but felt this was lacking. Not enough character development.

I loved Louisiana! She was a character that appeared in DiCamillo's previous book Raymie Nightingale and now she has a book of her very own.
Louisiana is raised by her grandma, and grandma needs to get out of town. Louisiana begins to write about her feelings on this journey and the reader comes along for the ride. Typical to DiCamillo's work, readers will enjoy the wonderful characters, gorgeous writing, humor, and bittersweet moments. Louisiana's Way Home was a joy to read!

Seriously, I love every book I have read by Kate DiCamillo and this one was not exception. The book drew me in from page 1 and I couldn't put it down. It's so easy to become engaged with the characters and lose yourself in the story. I look forward to having my 6th grader read this book!

This book was wonderful. Kate DiCamillo revisits one of the characters from Raymie Nightingale in a very sad yet funny and sweet story. Louisiana Elefante lives with her Granny in Florida. Granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave so they hope in the car and head west. Granny and Louisiana stop in a small town in Georgia and several crazy, funny and sometimes sad things happen to these two. Louisiana wants to find her way back home and maybe some of the people in this little town can help.

The story is told in first person which I really loved. Louisiana's voice is perfect to tell us about the ups and downs that she is dealing with in these situations. She is very sweet and trying to figure out how to deal with Granny who she is very mad at. Another fantastic Kate DiCamillo book. While Louisiana appeared in Raymie Nightingale, this book works well as a standalone. Highly recommended.

Ever since I met the brave, kindhearted, tenacious, adventurous Louisiana Elefante in Kate DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale, I knew she was a kindred spirit. Reading Louisiana's Way Home was like catching up with an old friend. This incredible, realistic fiction, middle grade novel tells the story of Louisiana, her Granny and what happens next. Louisiana's life hasn't been easy and when Granny wakes her in the middle of the night and rushes her into the car, Louisiana takes it in stride until she wakes up to find herself miles away from home and in a new state. Things quickly get worse when Granny gets sick and Louisiana has to find a dentist to save her granny. Louisiana finds herself with no money, no place to stay and a granny with no teeth. And then things take a turn for the worst. Throughout it all, Louisiana's bravery and determination shine. This story is a wonderful reminder of how life and living doesn't look the same for everyone, things don't always go as planned, and most importantly the power of kindness. Recommended for 4-6 grade.

Kate DiCamillo has such a thoughtful way with words...if you remember Louisiana from Raymie Nightingale, she’s the one with grandma. Well, grandma leaves Louisiana and this is her story of forgiveness.

Louisiana’s Way Home

by Kate DiCamillo

Candlewick Press

Candlewick

Children’s Fiction

Pub Date 02 Oct 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Louisiana’s Way Home through Candlewick Press and Netgalley:

Louisiana’s Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her the day of a reckoning has come and they have to leave home right away.

Louisiana isn’t overly world though her Grandma is full of many middle of the night ideas but this one is different this time she does not have any intention on them coming home. Louisiana finds herself away from her best friends Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to find a way home but fate and her Granny but soon her life becomes entwined with a motel owner, a preacher and a boy with a crow on his shoulder.

Will Louisiana find her way home?

Or will she have to build a new life elsewhere?

I give Louisiana’s Way Home five out of five stars!

Happy Reading

It’s difficult to provide a synopsis of this book without giving away the plot. In short, it’s a heartwarming story of self-discovery for young readers. Louisiana’s honest and sweet perspective is a pleasure to read.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

There is something about a Kate DiCamillo novel that brings you right back to your childhood, even if the character’s childhood is nothing like your own.

Louisiana Elephante has an unusual upbringing that involves family curses, a con-artist grandmother, and deceased-trapeze artist parents.

Louisiana is a clever, funny character that readers first discovered in Raymie Nightingale. Louisiana’s plight is a strange and difficult one. Life is often difficult, even for children. All of Louisiana’s struggles and interactions with uncaring adults are beautifully counter-balanced with the good in the world, to bring hope.

The writing is strong and the characters are even stronger. The humour in Louisiana’s first-person narrative adds a bit of joy in tough situations. Secondary characters are multi-dimensional as well. I still want to taste one of Mrs. Allen’s cakes!

This is a wonderful middle-grade novel. Readers will enjoy Louisiana’s whimsy. It is what you would expect of DiCamillo. Highly Recommended.

I read this book in 2 days. I love Kate DiCamillo and I was expecting it to be good and it was great. I loved it better than Raymie N. because it went deeper into the plight of many children in today's world. This book explored many issues that children have to deal with, live with, and figure out and many adults don't have a clue about what is going on in their young minds. I am a teacher and I think Kate developed the character's words, actions, and fears quite authentically. I loved the 17 cakes detail, the walrus image, the reference to Pinoccio and his story. I love the minister, Kate seems to bring religion into her stories as a way for kids to even think about going into a church, which many of them have never been exposed to. I love the friendship theme, and exploring how some people are alone. My favorite part was in chapter 24 when she learns that she needs to forgive. This is such an important message. The fact that we may and will not ever understand things is very important to tell children and adults. I cannot say enough about how well this book is written. I also love how Kate is trying to explain about how there is hunger in this world and it is very real. The fact that this girl wants 14 packs of peanuts is something that I never would have even thought about. She is hungry and knows hunger and hunger is part of her life. I remember that from the Raymie book about stealing food from the buffet and buying tuna cans because they're cheap and good protein. Again, Kate is bringing to the forefront an issue that many families struggle with: not having enough food.

What would you do if you were woken up in the middle of the night by your granny and forced to leave the home that you love? Louisiana Elefante and her granny have a curse on their heads that will not let them settle in one place for long. The problem is that Louisiana has two best friends that she is being separated from. Granny is determined to move to Georgia and Louisiana is not happy. She argues with granny and when that doesn't work she gives her the silent treatment. They run into several problems along the way, including granny having to pull over on the interstate because she is having extreme tooth pains. It is up to Louisiana to try to figure out how to get her to help, so Louisiana attempts to drive to safety. She ends up getting them off the interstate and to a small town in Georgia. She gets her granny to a dentist who has to pull every, single one of granny's teeth. Louisiana gets her granny to a motel run by a mean, old lady, but she finally convinces her to give them a room so granny can rest. While hanging outside the motel she meets a boy that helps her sneak snacks out of the vending machine. Little does Louisiana know that her life is about to drastically change. Will Louisiana ever make it back home to her best friends? Does Louisiana even know what home is? And will Louisiana and her granny ever be able to get rid of that awful curse on their head? Read this incredible book to find out what happens.

We were first introduced to Louisiana Elefante in Kate DiCamillo's book Raymie Nightingale. Louisiana is such a funny character with so much wit and charm that you can't help but love her. I was so excited when I found out that we get to read more about Louisiana. Don't miss out on this one!

Another phenomenal book by Kate DiCamillo! Thank you for the e-galley. I already own Ramie Nightingale and will be purchasing this companion book also. I loved being able to read about Louisiana Elefante and her eccentric Granny once again. The family curse, the new characters Louisiana met, and her poverty make it a hopeful read that young readers will connect with.

“We all, at some point, have to decide who we want to be in this world.” My heart broke for Louisiana as her world got turned upside down, and she tried to figure out her place in the world and who she wanted to be. Kate DiCamillo develops the story and introduces the most perfect supporting characters along the way. I could not love Louisiana Elefante or this book more.

Another great children's book from a beloved author. This one will definitely make it onto our library's shelf.

Kate DiCamillo NEVER disappoints! This one broke my heart over and over, but in true Kate Dicamillo fashion, it has beautiful redemption qualities as well. I loved reading more about Louisiana from Raymie Nightingale, and her unstable grandma. It has been a while since I've read Raymie, so I also feel Louisiana's Way Home could be a stand-alone, for those who have never read Raymie. Of course, I want my students to read both, but Louisiana could be read first if they haven't read Raymie.

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate Dicamillo is a beautiful story.

In honor of this fine novel, if you have any further questions, my answer will include the word "cake" in every instance. #bookaday

Publication date: 10/2/2018