Raymie, 10, is determined to become Little Miss Florida Central Tire so her father, an insurance agent who recently ran off with a dental hygienist, will read about her in the paper and realize his mistake. At baton twirling lessons she meets Louisiana Elefante and Beverly Tapinski. This story set in a small Florida town in the 1970s moves quickly while capturing the hot, timeless feel of summer as the three girls form an unlikely, not-always-easy friendship. The bond among bold, brash, seemingly fearless Beverly; naive, sweet Louisiana; and uncertain Raymie develops through a series of funny yet heartrending escapades. It turns out that Louisiana and Beverly both have secrets and challenges, too. Louisiana shares hers openly, while Beverly’s must be gleaned. But as the girls gradually discover things about one another, and about themselves, it turns out they all are bold and fearless and uncertain and sweet in a tender and funny novel that exposes the hope in their connection. For Raymie, who wants to be special enough to bring her father home, friendship changes nothing, and yet it changes everything. (Ages 8–11)