Kate DiCamillo is a favorite of mine and my 7 year olds', and I'm always a little bit surprised when he enjoys her work. That's not because it's not good - it's extremely good! It's that it doesn't even slightly water things down so that kids can understand. It's sophisticated and beautiful, but not always easy to understand. But he does understand, and Kate DiCamillo knows he will. Her respect for children is apparent. So, I enjoyed this one on a similar level to her other work. It is emotionally resonant and true, and a good story too. Great for reading aloud.