If you read my posts regularly, you know I devour and love many books. To call me a Kate DiCamillo super-fan may be an underestimation. I was THRILLED to receive an ARC for LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo. Yes, I screamed. Ask my family.

Kate DiCamillo launches us back into the world of Raymie Nightingale in LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME. This time, Louisiana Elefante is going solo without best friends Raymie and Beverly. It’s two years after Raymie Nightingale ended, and Louisiana’s life has taken a bunch of wrong turns.

As you may remember, Louisiana’s parents, trapeze artists, are dead, and she lives with her grandma. But when her grandma ”kidnaps” her and heads north ranting about the family curse, Louisiana decides she better take things into her own hands. Plus, she doesn’t want to run away. She misses her one-eyed dog Buddy, Archie the cat, and her friends. But then Granny drops a bomb on Louisiana. Everything she thought she knew about her parents and her family is all based on lies.

When her grandma leaves her for good, Louisiana must figure out that home isn’t actually a place. Home is love, and when you find someone who truly loves you, you better be paying attention.

I still can’t figure out how Kate DiCamillo can write about the saddest topics, but still leave you feeling on top of the world when you read her books. According to the author’s note, Kate was surprised to find herself writing Louisiana’s story, but when you’ve got a 13-year-old girl sharing so many truths with a voice as strong and earnest as Louisiana’s, you’ve got to do your part and write them down. I’m so glad Kate did. Kate returned to writing in first-person in LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME (last done in BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE), and it is the perfect perspective for this tender story that makes me feel like Louisiana is speaking straight to me from her soul.

Kate DiCamillo has knocked is out of the park again with a story I could not put down. Her books are always so hopeful, even in the most impossible of circumstances, and inspire us all to keep pushing past the dark moments in our lives while always being true to ourselves. LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME releases on October 2nd. Though it has stiff competition, I can honestly say this was my favorite DiCamillo book yet.

A gorgeously-told story about how the everyday kindness of everyday average people makes the world a better place!

LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME is a companion to Raymie Nightingale, but the stories can be read as standalones. It’s a beautiful story to read with someone you love. Preorder it from your favorite bookstore RIGHT NOW or request it from your library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick for providing me with a review copy in return for an honest review!

Posted by Michelle Leonard.