Beverly Tapinski has run away from home plenty of times, but that was when she was just a kid. By now, she figures, it's not running away. It's leaving. Determined to make it on her own, Beverly finds a job and a place to live and tries to forget about her dog, Buddy, now buried underneath the orange trees back home; her friend Raymie, whom she left without a word; and her mom, Rhonda, who has never cared about anyone but herself. Beverly doesn't want to depend on anyone, and she definitely doesn't want anyone to depend on her. But despite her best efforts, she can't help forming connections with the people around her -- and gradually, she learns to see herself through their eyes.

Book 3 in the Raymie Nightingale Series. Book 1: Raymie Nightingale / Book 2: Louisiana's Way Home / Book 3: Beverly, Right Here

A lovely middle-grade novel about making connections with others. ( )

This is one of the three books written as a composite by this author. The books include Raymie Nightingale, Louisiana's Way Home and the current one read. The theme throughout is the friendship of young teen girls, each of whom have a very checkered childhood, and difficult living circumstances.

Beverly's mother loves alcohol more than anyone or anything. Since Beverly is basically raising herself, she decides to leave, to run away -- this time for good. In addition to her two friends, she had her beloved pet dog Buddy for a long time. When Buddy dies and she places his body in the ground under the sad looking orange trees in the yard, she feels lost. Grief stricken, she feels she must leave.

As always, theses books are filled with hardship, and strength in getting through life knowing you are smarter and more together than your parents.

Beverly finds herself in a small town Florida area. She wears worn out flip flops and when her feet are burnt and sore, she stops at a trailer park. There is an elderly lady with large glasses who says "Howdy, "Howdy!" Inviting Beverly inside, she invites her to stay. They form a beautiful relationship. Finding a job busing tables at Mr. C's Fish restaurant, she meets a cast of characters, and a job, a place to stay and people she can like, she decides to stay where she is finally happy.

Meeting Elmer at the Zoom dollar store, she visits the store after work, and sees a lot of kindness and a person with direction who plans to go to college. Their relationship becomes solidly cute and healthy.

When Iola is excited about the Christmas in July event at the VFW, she invites Beverly and Elmer to accompany her to the place where there is a raffle for the largest turkey, and lots of Christmas music and dancing. Iola is hopeful she will win the huge turkey. Using money earned from her job, Beverly purchases $40 worth of tickets in the hope Iola will win the turkey.

She wins!!! Because her trailer is very small, Elmer and Beverly cannot get the turkey in the house, and Iola's stove is much to small. Taking the turkey to the Mr. C's fish restaurant, they decide to hold their own Christmas in summer event. Beverly is so very excited she invites people she randomly met while here in Florida.

This is a story of a tough young girl, emotionally damaged by a father who left when she was seven, and mother who does not care about her, remarkably, Beverly can open her heart and trust the people she meets.

This is a gem of a story, and, like all of DiCamillo's award-winning books, the reader cannot help but route for the people found within.

Highly Recommended. ( )

Thoughtful book about discovering what we need and who we are with the help of found family and friends. I like DiCamillo's tone in these books - the way she lets the readers come to conclusions without spelling things out. I look forward to reading more of her work. ( )