2019
WISE Score
Amazon
A 14-year-old runaway finds a job, a crusty old lady to live with, and a reason to stop running—classic DiCamillo heart-punch.
4.7
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If your kid is over the 'magic school' phase and wants something that feels real, this is it. It’s the third book in a loose trilogy (after Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home), but it stands perfectly well on its own.
DiCamillo doesn't do 'brain rot.' This is a quiet, thoughtful story that actually respects a kid's ability to handle complex emotions. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but for a kid who likes to get lost in a character's head, it’s a total win.
Best for ages 10 to 14. It hits that sweet spot where kids are starting to see the flaws in adults but still need to know the world can be a kind place.
It models a gritty kind of kindness. Beverly isn't a 'perfect' kid—she's a runaway—but the way she forms a makeshift family with an elderly woman and a quirky fry cook is deeply moving and emotionally healthy.
While it's grounded realistic fiction, Kate DiCamillo's ability to make small, everyday objects and interactions feel significant requires a high level of emotional imagination from the reader.
It's a book for middle-schoolers. No tech risks, no graphic violence. The 'danger' is emotional—parental neglect and the reality of being a kid on your own—but it's handled with total age-appropriate care.
This is emotional intelligence in book form. It teaches kids about autonomy, the weight of grief, and how to see the humanity in 'eccentric' people that others might ignore.
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