I love Kate DiCamillo's books, and her new novel for young readers, Louisiana's Way Home, is no exception. This Newbery Award-winning author is always delightful. In this story, Louisiana grieves when she has to move away from home and her friends with her Granny. She yearns to go home--until she begins to meet new people in her small, Georgia town and finds hope and grace. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

Another win from Kate DiCamillo! Her stories have become staples in my sixth grade class. Louisiana’s Way Home is no exception and it has been added and read multiple times by students already. Louisiana is a relatable character for many of my students as they have challenging home lives, lack security, and navigate the world with uncertainty. A highly recommended novel!

What a sad, heartbreaking book. My heart bleeds for Louisiana. This child has so many challenges in her short life. If you like sad stories boy is this the perfect book for you! Thanks for sharing! Happy Reading!

Louisiana is a wonderful character. I was really taken with her and rooting for her. An engaging story. I was startled by events in this book, but enjoyed it over all. Some great laughs. Good southern fiction for youngsters.

Louisiana and her grandmother have been relying on the kindness of others for as long as she can remember. Her parents might be dead, but she has her friends, her pets, and her grandmother…until the night that Granny drags her out of bed and into another state entirely. With her friends far away and little to no money, Louisiana relies on her smarts to secure them a room at a hotel. When she comes back one day to find Granny gone and a shocking revelation written on a note, though, it’s going to take every bit of those smarts and a lot of strength (as well as help from her new friend) to figure out where Louisiana truly belongs.
	Written in Kate DiCamillo’s distinctive style, this book simply begs to be read, and Louisiana is an imminently likable character who you will immediately love. Her strength and tenacity make her a wonderful main character, and those she meets along her journey are multifaceted and add another layer to this already delightful tale. Although Louisiana may face hardships, the reader never once doubts that she will be able to fight her way through them and come out the other side feistier, stronger, and more likable than before. Highly recommended.

Oh my, what a lovely book! Louisiana tells her story so beautifully; there are moments of pure happiness, there is the yearning that only a young heart can feel, there is heartbreak and redemption. And there is cake! I don't feel right giving details- I'd hate to spoil anything. This is a sequel of sorts to DiCamillo's book Raymie Nightingale, but can absolutely stand alone. The ending will make you tear up, but it's worth it. I thoroughly loved this book!

If you want to know more about Louisiana in Raymie Nightingale, you will love that Kate DiCamillo shares her story in Louisiana’s Way Home.  Awakened by Granny in the middle of the night, Louisiana is forced to leave her home because Granny believes the day of reckoning has arrived.  During her journey with Granny,  Louisiana learns some tough truths about her life which make her question who she really is. Fortunately, Louisiana meets some friends that offer her support and make her realize that “perhaps what matters when all is said and done is not who puts us down but who picks us up..”

Kate DiCamillo never disappoints.  Louisiana’s Way Home is a companion novel to Raymie Nightengale. However, I found it to be a more compelling story and could easily be a stand-alone novel. 

Louisiana Elefante has been plucked from the life she knew and left behind her friends Raymie and Beverly. Her grandmother got the itch to up and move because of a family curse, despite Louisiana's many protests. Having made their way from Florida to Georgia, Louisiana is abandoned by her Grandmother. Thankfully there are new friends who help support Louisiana and help her find her way home.

I loved that this book was written from Louisiana’s point of view as it gives a clear picture of what Louisiana is thinking and feeling. It is filled with a lot of emotion and heartbreak. Readers will go through Louisiana’s journey and learn that home does not have to mean a specific place, but is a feeling with the love and support of friends and family. Middle grade readers will love Louisiana’s spunk and her perseverance in the face all the “reckonings” that come her way. 

Note: I read an ARC of Louisiana’s Way Home courtesy of the publisher, Candlewick Press, via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Raymie Nightingale had been in my TBR far too long, so Louisiana prompted me to pick it up.  The friendship of the three girls was so charming and filled with heart, that I was anxious to find out the rest of Louisiana's story.  Kate DiCamillo does not disappoint in this companion novel.  If anything, Lousiana's journey to finding a home is more compelling.  As a little girl with a big voice and lots of showmanship, Louisiana wrangles herself into the hearts of those who can help her with the sudden disappearance of her grandmother.  An accidental friend brings her to a safe place....his home.  For the first time, this sweet girl, who is adrift in the world, finds home and family and acceptance.

In this first person sequel to Raymie Nightingale, the reader gets to know Lousiana Elefante as the world she has known unravels. The story begins with Lousiana being rushed out of her home by her grandmother going who knows where. The story takes Lousiana and the reader on a trip across state lines as Lousiana learns the meaning of family, friendship and home. The voice of Lousiana is enchanting and unforgetable. You immediately fall in love with her character and want to help her and are greatful for those that do. A heartwarming story that stays with you long after you close the backcover.

A necesssary sequel to “Raymie Nightingale,” I guess, but I was a little letdown by how short and quick this book was. I felt like the story kind of ended without tying up the many loose ends. Maybe Beverly’s book will come in a few years and resolve everything?

Plucked from her bed in the middle of the night by her grandmother for a time of reckoning, orphan Louisiana Elefante is about to have her life turned upside down. Abandoned at a cheap hotel in Georgia, Louisiana is helped by a kind family and a local pastor as she learns much of what she believes about herself is not true. Louisiana has a truly unique voice and a determination and resilience far beyond her years. DiCamillo’s heartwarming and heartbreaking tale is sparely told with humor and honesty. Readers may have first met Louisiana in Raymie Nightingale, but this book stands alone. The complicated story moves along quickly and readers will want to keep turning the pages to know what happens to Louisiana.  There are unique characters, bad and good, throughout the story. Granny remains an enigma, but other caring adults step up to help Louisiana and Burke is a true friend, as good as they come. Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick for providing a DRC.

Such a great story. It would be great to read together as a class. I will be recommending it to my students for independent reading. It is a very engaging story and high interest for kids.

I think I actually liked this better than Raymie Nightingale. Louisiana is such a sweet, sympathetic character. You really feel her pain and how lost she feels in the world once she discovers the truth. I will definitely be recommending this in my library.

Louisiana Elefante,a 12 year old, is awakened by her Granny who is muttering about family curses, at the middle of the night. And Granny says the day of reckoning has arrived and they are going without any questions. Louisiana has to leave her friends, dog, cat behind, which she does not like a bit.

“If you have to choose between smiling and not smiling, choose smiling. It fools people for a short time. It gives you an advantage.”

Louisiana has no idea where they’re going and Granny soon proves to be an unreliable guardian. When her Granny leaves her behind with a note which shatters not only her past, Louisiana’s small heart breaks and struggles to find an identity.

It is a heart touching story from the beginning to the end. Loved it.


ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

Happy Reading!!!

Love this book and the author.  Another great writer and one that is so great for my girls to read and learn about

This book has all the charm of a standard DiCamillo novel. She has a real flair for world building and creating unique characters. It's that second point that I struggle with in this book. In some ways, Louisiana is too unique. While her voice is strong, she's incredibly overly dramatic. And since the book takes the form of letters, its entirely from her perspective, her interpretation of events. It gives the "looking for family" standard plot an almost soap opera tinge.

Gah!!! I loved this!! I didn’t care for Rayme Nightengale as much, but this was a magical little book! Louisiana is such a unique, fun perspective to read from with a beautiful voice. Kate’s writing is just superb (as always). I would highly recommend this book! The flow takes a second to get into but it’s worth the trip. To see how she discovers herself and her friends and her own worth. Just amazing and beautiful!! Highly recommend!!!

If you have read Kate DiCamillo’s book “Raymie Nightingale” you are introduced to three girls named Raymie, Beverley, and Louisiana. You don’t need to have read Raymie Nightingale first, but this book delves deeper into the story of the quirky and spunky Louisiana. In true Kate DiCamillo fashion, it will pull at your heart strings. It has short chapters and a clever and heartwarming story that an middle schooler and above would love. Unlike any other of Kate’s books, this one is told in first person. I think that really adds to Lousiana’s voice.
There are some things that might need to be discussed with the younger crowd: abandonment (as a baby and as a child), stealing, and lying.

I received an ARC through NetGallery from the publisher for my honest review.

Those of you who love Kate DiCamillo and her “Raymie Nightingale” will remember Louisiana Elefante. In this middle grade novel, the next chapter of Louisiana’s story is told. This was a quick read with a very distinct narrator’s voice (I don’t think Louisiana ever speaks with contractions), and while it was sad (the child is basically abandoned – twice), it has a sweet ending with a theme of accepting yourself for who you are.

I’ll be sure to recommend this one to our school library. Thank you for my review copy via Net Galley!