Raymie Nightingale

Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo tells the story of Raymie, a young girl desperate to win a baton contest to lure back her father, who left with another woman. At baton class she makes some unlikely friends and they share a variety of adventures. Finally, Raymie loses interest in the contest, accepts that her Dad is not coming home, and takes comfort in her new friendships. This novel, for grades 4-7, weaves in complex issues, including poverty, abandonment, and adultery, and may be used as a read-aloud with teacher support to examine and explain these themes.