Lost Evangeline
by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author), Sophie Blackall  (Illustrator)

4.5 out of 5 stars

A shoemaker finds a tiny baby hidden in a shoe, and the little girl grows up to be as small as a mouse. He names her Evangeline after a beautiful ship, and the two dream of going to sea someday. The shoemaker’s wife thinks Evangeline’s small size is a sign of bewitchment, and resents her husband’s love for his adopted daughter. She sells Evangeline for a sack of money, but Evangeline escapes and searches for her father. Along the way, Evangeline gets help from a reluctant cat and a scared boy, but she finds the courage and resilience to inspire them to join her in her adventures.

I really liked Evangeline’s character! She is spunky and brave in the face of huge odds. She never gives up, and she believes the best of people, hoping to inspire them to see their own possibilities. I love a good under-dog story, and Evangeline has that tenacious hope that holds on in the darkness until the day dawns again.

The story is told with a lovely old-fashioned style that is quite elegant in its brevity. Every word fits exactly where it should, and no words are wasted. The result is a powerful writing style that tugs at your emotions!

I loved the pretty illustrations through the book which really bring forward the emotional pathos of the story. The artwork makes this story truly special!
This chapter book is perfect for young readers ages 7-10 who are reading on their own, but not ready for lengthy books yet.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.