FERRIS, by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Kate DiCamillo’s latest literary offering, Ferris, is about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother and growing up, and it’s delightful.
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? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
Kate DiCamillo is no stranger to readers. With more than 10 excellent books for middle readers alone, it’s a fair bet that anything new from the author is worth reading.
That’s especially true for Ferris, which is captivating from beginning to end.
At the center of DiCamillo’s story is Ferris who — to her parents’ surprise — was born beneath the Ferris wheel at the fair. Ferris is a likeable girl who loves her grandmother, is exasperated by her sister and is overall a good egg. Ferris is surrounded by quirky characters that are just as well developed, making her world feel complete. The book’s worth reading for Pinky alone — she’s a hoot!
DiCamillo’s text is playful and heartfelt and brings a smile to your face. Not only does she “get” her characters, but she gets her audience, too. This is the type of book that will resonate with young readers, and their parents won’t mind reading it either. Kids will love reading this or hearing it read aloud. It’s a great read.
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