52 pages • 1 hour read
Kate DiCamilloRaymie Nightingale
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Kate DiCamillo gives hints throughout the narrative about the ending of the book—for example, Louisiana saying, “We’ll rescue each other” (87), Mrs. Sylvester saying, “Everything will be fine. It will all work out right in the end” (52), and the title of the book, Raymie Nightingale. What other examples of foreshadowing can you find, and why are they included?
Raymie and Mrs. Borkowski often wonder about the meaning of the life and the world. Does this story provide any answers?
How do you think the story would have turned out if Louisiana had not been able to persuade Beverly to go on the “rescue mission” for Archie?
Louisiana says it is alright that she and her grandmother steal food—that they are survivors, not criminals. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
Do you think the girls were justified in breaking into Ida Nee’s house? What could they have done differently?
Do you think that by naming their trio the Three Rancheros, Louisiana had an impact on their friendship? If so, how?
Why do you think that DiCamillo never describes the physical appearance of either of Raymie’s parents or shares Mrs. Clarke’s first name?
Why do you think the girls show no sympathy towards the janitor? What do you think the relationship between the janitor and his yellow bird symbolizes?
How would you describe DiCamillo’s literary style, and how does this style capture the themes of the story?
In addition to the good deeds performed by Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly, who else performs good deeds in the story? Describe the deeds and expand on how they help the three girls throughout their journey.
Related Titles
By Kate DiCamillo
