★ 05/27/2019

This thoughtful companion to two-time Newbery Medal–winner DiCamillo’s Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home follows Beverly Tapinski, the third of the Three Rancheros, in August 1979—four years after the first book’s events. Grieving the death of her beloved dog Buddy and tired of her mother’s drinking, Beverly, 14, decides to skip town. After she hitches a ride to Tamaray Beach, a lie about her age garners her a job at Mr. C’s restaurant and room with elderly Iola, who offers the girl shelter in exchange for her driving Iola around. Beverly can be deeply unforthcoming about her feelings, making her gradual transition away from a solitary being determined not to rely on others feel deeply meaningful. Secondary characters—sensitive teen store clerk Elmer, who’s interested in art; bingo enthusiast Iola; and the staff of Mr. C’s—are well defined through concise narrative and dialogue, and DiCamillo builds them into a new community that matters a great deal to Beverly. But it’s Beverly’s private moments—thoughts of the other Rancheros, a message revealed, a love for the term lapis lazuli—that move her from being a person in flight to a present, whole participant in her world. Ages 10–up. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

DiCamillo writes in a spare style, describing small, seemingly disparate moments that gradually come together in a rich, dynamic picture. The other thing she does brilliantly is shape characters whose eccentricities make them heartbreakingly, vividly real, like Elmer, whose acne-covered face is a mask that hides his humanity; Freddie, the young waitress with great expectations that are colored by untruths; and owlish Iola Jenkins, whose willingness to take a chance on Beverly counts for everything. Thoughtful and hopeful in equal measure.
—Booklist (starred review)

This thoughtful companion to two-time Newbery Medal–winner DiCamillo’s Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home follows Beverly Tapinski, the third of the Three Rancheros, in August 1979—four years after the first book’s events...Secondary characters—sensitive teen store clerk Elmer, who’s interested in art; bingo enthusiast Iola; and the staff of Mr. C’s—are well defined through concise narrative and dialogue, and DiCamillo builds them into a new community that matters a great deal to Beverly. But it’s Beverly’s private moments—thoughts of the other Rancheros, a message revealed, a love for the term lapis lazuli—that move her from being a person in flight to a present, whole participant in her world.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The story moves languidly at first, as Beverly absorbs her surroundings, and then more quickly, as she realizes that if she “wants things to change,” she must meet those things head on. Drawn with unusual depth, the members of Beverly’s small community emerge as complex individuals but also, collectively, as a force for change and goodwill—just like the three friends who began this journey together.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

DiCamillo has described her trilogy as being about ‘becoming’ and ‘the power of community.’ Drawing each girl’s story with subtle yet bold strokes, DiCamillo delivers novels that feel both beautifully spare and deeply rich. With lovely reminders of the angels who help us all find our way in this sometimes unbearable world—as well as the enduring power of stories, kindness, hope and surprising possibilities—Beverly, Right Here completes DiCamillo’s superb trilogy, which is destined to remain a classic.
—BookPage (starred review)

In this third book about the girls, DiCamillo mixes familiar ingredients: absent parents, disparate friends, the ability to drive a car, the power of generosity, and the satisfaction of a big celebratory meal...simply told and progressing in real time, readers encounter this world through Beverly's eyes and mind, finding pleasure in small things, appreciating friends of all sorts, coming to terms with losses, and moving on. A satisfying read that stands alone but is richer for its company.
—Kirkus Reviews

In her signature style of short, accessible prose sprinkled with carefully chosen, meaningful words, DiCamillo once again tells extraordinary stories with ordinary characters. This is a multilayered story of hope, from Iola who wants to win a turkey from the VFW Christmas in July, to Freddie who has big dreams, to Elmer who loves art and poetry and wants to be an engineer, to Beverly herself, who just wants things to be different than they are. Beverly acts tough and uninterested, but underneath she is tender and vulnerable. ­This is not a lighthearted book, but it is heartwarming and touching. Highly recommended.
—School Library Journal

As with the other titles, this is a real-world fairy tale about a lost girl finding home; Beverly’s prickly personality and DiCamillo’s smooth understated prose keep the sentimentality at bay here, though, and add some edge to the wishful details of Beverly’s experience. Beverly’s gradual thawing into a belief in her own value is deftly depicted, and the story will inspire yearning in many readers for a similar escape and soft landing.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

As hopeful as it is heartbreaking, Beverly, Right Here offers up messages of trust and self-worth that are important for all young people to hear.
—Foreword Reviews

The warm hearts of the young people more than compensate for the inadequacies of the adults. Language Arts teachers could use the book to conduct character and dialogue studies. If the other two books in the trilogy, Raymie Nightingale (Candlewick Press 2016) and Louisiana’s Way Home (Candlewick Press 2018) have been welcomed into your collection, be sure to add this title.
—School Library Connection

07/01/2019

Gr 5–7—Readers first met Beverly Tapinski when she entered the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition with Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana Elefante. Beverly is now 14. Her dog Buddy has died, and Beverly feels like she has been left behind by everyone--her dad, Louisiana, and now Buddy. So she leaves, too, and goes to Tamaray Beach. She gets a job at a restaurant, is taken in by a kind old lady, and makes friends with the cashier of Zoom City. But eventually she realizes she left behind Raymie, and that hurts more than she can stand. In her signature style of short, accessible prose sprinkled with carefully chosen, meaningful words, DiCamillo once again tells extraordinary stories with ordinary characters. This is a multilayered story of hope, from Iola who wants to win a turkey from the VFW Christmas in July, to Freddie who has big dreams, to Elmer who loves art and poetry and wants to be an engineer, to Beverly herself, who just wants things to be different than they are. Beverly acts tough and uninterested, but underneath she is tender and vulnerable. VERDICT This is not a lighthearted book, but it is heartwarming and touching. Highly recommended.—Julie Overpeck, Holbrook Middle School, Lowell, NC

Jorjeana Marie’s narration makes it easy to believe that 14-year-old Beverly Tapinsky’s grief over the death of her dog, Buddy, spurred her decision to run away from home. Listeners will enjoy the strong setting, lyrical writing, and careful portrayal of the third Ranchero. The story follows Beverly’s literal journey as she finds a new home in Seahorse Court and her more important personal one as she transforms from a moody teen to a happy, settled girl. Marie excels at portraying the characters at the Court, including Beverly’s employer, Mr. Denby; her friend, Elmer; and Iola, who all welcome her and provide her with the community she’s been looking for. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

2019-05-08
The friendship of strangers helps a 14-year-old runaway realize that there are important connections to be found at home as well.

It is 1979, four years after the events that bound together the Three Rancheros, Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly, in Raymie Nightingale (2016). Buddy, the dog they rescued, has died, and Beverly Tapinski can think of no reason to stay home, so she hitches a ride to Tamaray Beach, Florida. Lying about her age, she finds a job in Mr. C's restaurant and a place to stay in elderly Iola Jenkins' trailer. In this third book about the girls, DiCamillo mixes familiar ingredients: absent parents, disparate friends, the ability to drive a car, the power of generosity, and the satisfaction of a big celebratory meal. Beverly is the focus here; her old friends appear only as memories or a voice on the telephone. At 14, she's on the verge of finding herself, and she's newly seeing herself through others' eyes. As always, secondary characters (likely white, like Beverly) are interestingly drawn: the lonely older woman; acne-faced and college-bound Elmer, who draws her picture and teaches her to dance; ambitious Freddie the waitress and her unsuitable boyfriend. But in this immediate narrative, simply told and progressing in real time, readers encounter this world through Beverly's eyes and mind, finding pleasure in small things, appreciating friends of all sorts, coming to terms with losses, and moving on.

A satisfying read that stands alone but is richer for its company. (Fiction. 10-14)