Raymie Clarke has come to understand that she is utterly dependent upon She also has a strategy. Raymie’s father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will (maybe) see Raymie’s photo in the newspaper and return home if she wins the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. Raymie needs to overcome the wispy, constantly fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has experience in show business, and the fiery, obstinate Beverly Tapinski, who is out to sabotage the competition in order to win. She also has to learn how to twirl a baton. However, as the tournament draws near, the three girls form an unexpected friendship out of loneliness, sorrow, and unanswered questions.
Quotes
“Fear is a big waste of time.”
― Kate DiCamillo, Raymie Nightingale
“But as Raymie stood in Ida Nee’s backyard, next to Louisiana and Beverly, it did not feel like her soul was shriveling at all.
It felt more like it was filling up – becoming larger, brighter, more certain”
― Kate DiCamillo, Raymie Nightingale