This story was fantastic! Kate DiCamillo does a great job of with the creation of the "Three Rancheros" Raymie Clarke, Beverly Tapinski, and Louisiana Elafante. These three charmers meet in a baton twirling class, instructed by the award winning Ida Nee who is so serious about her batons she calls the police when one goes missing. Each 10 year old girl is taking the baton twirling class in an attempt to win the "Little Miss Central Florida Tire" contest. Raymie hopes winning will bring her father back to their family, Beverly is being forced into it by her troubled mother, and Louisiana wants the prize money to buy lots of tuna fish and rescue her cat Archie which she had to give up to "The Very Friendly Animal Center" after her grandmother couldn't afford to feed him anymore.

You won't soon forget these sweet and tender souls or stop laughing at their wacky realities. "Phhhtttt".