Oh, Louisiana, I'm so happy to meet you. Your unique voice and wisdom beyond your years kept me engrossed in your adventures. My heart ached for you, I was genuinely worried about you, I rooted for you. Thank you, Kate DiCamillo for introducing me to her.
Getting pulled out of bed in the middle of the night and being forced to leave behind nearly everything you love would be difficult for anyone, let alone a child. DiCamillo gives Louisiana strength and grace, which I appreciate so much. Louisiana deals with her life with bravery and determination. She reads people well, a gift from her grandmother who sweet talks her way into getting what she needs. I was fully invested in this story, not wanting to put it down until I knew how it would go. The underlying themes of self reliance, trust in others, dealing with chaos and abandonment were handled so well. The story resonated with me and I fully believe would resonate with children. Fabulous.