Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo writes books that lodge in readers’ hearts and memories forever. Don’t believe us? Mention The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn-Dixie, or Flora & Ulysses to anyone who read them as a youngster (or read them to their youngsters), and watch their eyes light up. The author of four picture books, 13 early reader chapter books, and eight novels, DiCamillo has a gift for creating vividly alive characters — humans and animals alike — who face their fears with vulnerability, humor, and courage. She has done it again in her new novel, Louisiana’s Way Home.
Fans of Raymie Nightingale will remember Raymie’s friend Louisiana Elefante, who takes center stage in this new book. Louisana’s life turns upside down after her granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to take her on a journey. While Louisiana meets a fascinating cast of characters in the small Georgia town where Granny takes her, she misses her best friends Raymie and Beverly, and can’t stop thinking about finding her way back to them. But can she?
DiCamillo will discuss the new novel — in the engaging, funny, touching way only she can — on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. at The Oak Hill School. Meanwhile, she filled out our Authors in Real Life questionnaire.
I’ve been listening to: John Rutter’s Requiem and Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run. Yep. They go together. Kinda.
I love to watch: The Americans. I just finished watching the last season with some friends. Sigh. It’s going to take a long time for us to find another show that lives up to that one.
Something I saw online that made me laugh, cry, or think: Yesterday I was playing Scrabble with a group of friends and we watched a YouTube video of a dog named Tank who had gotten into the trash and had the trash can lid stuck on his head. We laughed until we cried. Which felt good.
Best meal I’ve had in the past month: Oh, man. I am lucky when it comes to eating. I’ve got so many good friends who are excellent cooks. Let’s see… on Friday night: roasted chicken, sweet potato fries, three bean salad and hot peppers.
A creator who’s doing something I envy: M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin and their wondrous book The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge.
A book I recently recommended to someone else: See above!
The last event I bought tickets to was: Old Crow Medicine Show at the Palace Theater in St. Paul.
Most meaningful recent travel destination: To Central Florida at the beginning of the year, to spend time with my best friend, the friend of my youth.
I wish I knew more about: Oh, everything — stars, planets, leaves, dogs, joy, poetry.
My favorite thing about bookstores: The way they smell. The sense of possibility on every shelf, in every corner, in every volume.
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Kate DiCamillo
Presents Louisiana’s Way Home
The Oak Hill School
Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 2 p.m.
Advance tickets are no longer available; however we do expect to have some free onsite tickets the day of the event. We recommend arriving 30 minutes ahead of time to join the onsite ticketing line. This event is part of the Salon@615 series, a collaboration among Parnassus Books, Humanities Tennessee, the Nashville Public Library and Foundation, and BookPage. For tickets plus important guidelines about the book signing for all ticket-holders, follow this link.
Musing 