The masterful Kate DiCamillo has outdone herself with a hilarious and achingly real love story about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother and growing up.
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 in the doorway to her room – which seems like an alarming omen given that she is 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 spectre with Pinky terrorizing the town, Uncle Ted sending Ferris to spy on her aunt, and her father battling an invasion of raccoons?
As Charisse likes to say, “Every good story is a love story,” and Kate DiCamillo has written one for the ages: emotionally resonant and healing, showing the twice Newbery Medallist at her most playful, universal and profound.
At its heart, Ferris is a story about love: in oneself, in others and the love that exists all around us. It’s a powerful message that resonates long after the final chapter has been read, inspiring readers of all ages to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
DiCamillo’s prose is infused with wit, warmth and a dash of whimsy, making Ferris a joy to read from start to finish. Whether she’s evoking laughter with Pinky’s outlandish schemes or tugging at heartstrings with Charisse’s poignant reflections, DiCamillo demonstrates her ability to craft a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
Ferris is a masterful work of storytelling that celebrates the magic of childhood, the bonds of family and the beauty of embracing life’s unexpected twists and turns. Ferris stands as a testament to DiCamillo’s unparalleled talent and creativity.
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