Raymie Nightingale

Raymie Clark's father has run away with the dental hygienist, leaving 10-year-old Raymie and her mother behind. The only way to bring him back, Raymie believes, is by winning the 1975 "Little Miss Central Florida Tire" competition and getting her picture in the newspaper, but when she meets two fellow contestants at baton-twirling lessons, things don't go as planned. This classic DiCamillo tale full of loss, longing, and beauty will remind you how powerful and resilient friendships can be. (8 and up)