Ferris

I follow Kate DiCamillo on Facebook and saw she had a new book coming out--Ferris--and so got it from the library. The book description says, "It’s the summer before fifth grade, and for Ferris Wilkey, it is a summer of sheer pandemonium: Her little sister, Pinky, has vowed to become an outlaw. Uncle Ted has left Aunt Shirley and, to Ferris’s mother’s chagrin, is holed up in the Wilkey basement to paint a history of the world. And Charisse, Ferris’s grandmother, has started seeing a ghost at the threshold of her room, which seems like an alarming omen given that she is also feeling unwell. But the ghost is not there to usher Charisse to the Great Beyond. Rather, she has other plans—wild, impractical, illuminating plans. How can Ferris satisfy a specter with Pinky terrorizing the town, Uncle Ted sending Ferris to spy on her aunt, and her father battling an invasion of raccoons?"

I loved this book. Kate DiCamillo's books just have a certain feel to them, and this book just felt so familiar and peaceful and happy from the start. Kate creates the most distinct and hilarious characters (Raymie Nightingale series, Mercy Watson series, etc.), and this book was no exception. Ferris's little sister Pinky was hilarious, and I also loved Ferris, Charisse, Billy, Ted, Shirley--everyone! I love how Kate created a story out of just a few days' time with all kinds of mishaps and adventures. I was laughing during the book and teared up toward the end. Just a great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)