The beloved author of Because of Winn-Dixie has outdone herself with a hilarious and achingly real love story about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother, and growing up.(goodreads summary)
It is the summer before fifth grade and Emma Wilkey (aka Ferris) seems to have a lot happening all at once. Her younger sister Pinky thinks she's an outlaw, Uncle Ted moves into the basement determined to paint the history of the world, her father thinks raccoons are taking over their attic and grandmother Charisse is feeling poorly and recently started seeing a ghost in her bedroom doorway. On top of this, she gets an unexpected new hairdo from her Aunt Shirley that does not suit her. But Ferris keeps in mind Charisse's saying that "every good story is a love story" to keep her focused on what she needs to do.
The minute Ferris arrived into this world she knew she was loved. From the very first chapter, that is exactly what this heartwarming and moving new middle grade novel gives us. This story has so many things to offer from family, friendships, love, humor, community and a sweet ghost story. Ferris's six year old sister Pinky is a wild child. She gets herself in trouble numerous times wanting to be an outlaw on a wanted poster. Uncle Ted is separated from his wife and does not want to give up on the marriage, so recruits Ferris to be a spy and report back her findings about her Aunt Shirley's feelings. Charisse's visiting ghost requests that the chandelier in the dining room be lit by candles. Before the chandelier could be hung, her husband went off to war and never returned. Lighting the candles now will help him find his way back to her. Ferris and her best friend Billy Jackson are determined to do this for Charisse even though they cannot see the ghost for themselves. Her dad is mild mannered and reads encyclopedias and her mom pastes stamps into the S&H Green Stamps book and seems to be the one to have to deal with Pinky and her shenanigans. Each character is its' own story within the story. The family and community is quirky but it all adds to the book and Ferris's relationship with each one.
There are new vocabulary words with their meanings for kids to learn, funny moments and sad moments, loss and grief and a very exciting ending that kept me turning the pages to see what happens. The short chapters help make this a fast-paced read. There is a lot for Ferris to sort out for such a young age of ten but she handles the situations with smarts, calmness and determination all in the name of love. There is a bit of a magical presence for Ferris that she discovers about herself as well. I am never disappointed when I read a story by Kate DiCamillo. The thing I like best about this book is that it is written with tenderness of relatable family situations. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-11.~
Title: Ferris
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Pub. date: March 2024, Candlewick Press
Genre: middle grade, fiction
Hardcover, 226 pgs.
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