Batona Millville, NJ, USA

This is a modern-day Velveteen Rabbit story.

Poor Edward. He was loved by so many, but had trouble loving in return . . . at least until it was too late.

Love hurts, as the china rabbit learns so well.

While the ending was telegraphed, it was so good.

A quick easy fun read. DiCamillo is adept at creating characters one cares for.

Kate DiCamillo has a storyteller's writing style, one in which she is able to describe her characters fully.

You just know this is going to be a tear-jerker . . .

And it was. Holy smokes! I haven't cried like that since I was a boy. Sincerely.

The party of misfits is really touching, but it is Opal's relationships with her dog, her friends, and her father that make this book.

DiCamillo is excellent setting a scene. It isn't that so much occurs in the book, it's that Opal, like her tree, takes root.

I highly recommend this book!