In the pages of Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo is another book full of characters to love. Ferris has a big heart and worries about those around her. Her grandmother Charisse is convinced there is a ghost that visits her and has needs to make amends and connect with a loved one. Ferris rallies her family and community to support Charisse and the idea of helping the ghost connect with her lost family member.
Ferris is kind, caring, and a helper. She tried to help Uncle Ted get back together with Aunt Shirley. This isn’t as easy as it appears at first and Aunt Shirley changes Ferris hairstyle with each visit to her salon. Her younger sister Pinky is full of life and her small adventures will make readers laugh while Ferris friendship with Billy Jackson will warm their hearts. Ferris and Billy love to use words their teacher Mrs. Mielk has taught them and explain their meaning.
Thinking about reading it with students.
The natural way Kate DiCamillo explains vocabulary to stretch the reader is seamless and quite enjoyable. I think it would be a great book to launch collecting rich words It’s also the perfect story to discuss character traits and how they impact the events in the story.
Here are three lines I love from this story and hope you find while reading the book.
“Vocabulary is the key to the kingdom!”, said Mrs. Mielk.
“Ferris felt her heart contract with gratitude.”
“But then every story is a love story. Or every good story is a love story.”
And a bonus line…
“Loving someone takes a whole lot of courage. She people just aren’t up to the task.”