Starred Review Baby Lincoln, Mercy Watson's timid, elderly neighbor, goes on a "necessary journey" in this third installment of the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. Along the way, Baby receives assistance from young Stella (who helps her to purchase a train ticket), a man in a furry hat (who reminds Baby of the importance of laughter), a young woman (who urges Baby to recall her given name), and a toddler named George (who appreciates Baby's storytelling abilities). By journey's end, Lucille Abigail Eleanor Lincoln is a changed woman, and although she is happy to see her bossy sister, Eugenia, again, readers know that going forward her life will be more satisfying. This story is certain to resonate with anyone who has ever felt overpowered by authority. To her credit, DiCamillo explores the Lincolns' complicated relationship without completely dumping on Eugenia. Yes, Eugenia is overbearing, but the sisters do love each other. Stella's parallel struggles (as Frank's younger sister) help to move the plot forward and demonstrate other acceptable ways of gaining agency. As always, Van Dusen's signature artwork is pleasing to the eye and will help emerging readers make sense of the story's nuances and quirkiness. This Deckawoo Drive adventure is sure to inspire anyone taking his or her own tentative steps toward independence.

In this third entry, the Lincoln sisters--hard-nosed, humorless Eugenia and soft-hearted, oppressed Lucille ("Baby")--take center stage. On a train trip by herself, Baby makes friends and gains self-confidence, and Eugenia unbends enough to admit that she missed her. Generous illustrations add to our understanding of the characters in this story, a portrait of timeless small-town America that takes pleasure in language.

Baby Lincoln has always yielded to her older sister, Eugenia, but now it is time to take a stand.They are gray-haired adults, but Eugenia rules the Lincoln roost, making all decisions. She gives orders and micromanages Baby's every endeavor. The pattern was established from Baby's earliest childhood, when Eugenia refused to call her by her actual, given name. One day Baby just says, "No," and embarks on a "necessary journey" of discovery. Stella, a young black neighbor, helps the elderly white woman buy a train ticket to Fluxom. The journey proves to be life-changing for Baby. Interacting with her fellow passengers gives her the opportunity to re-evaluate and discover her own identity and worth. She responds to her real name, Lucille, remembers how to laugh and to use her imagination, and learns that she can calm a child's fears, as Eugenia had once done for her. She is ready to go home, and when Eugenia and Stella meet her in Fluxom, Eugenia, albeit reluctantly and with prompting, admits that she missed Baby desperately. DiCamillo's gentle picaresque is told with tender humor in brief descriptive sentences that totally avoid high drama and histrionics. The third-person narration is unintrusive, allowing readers to respond to this grown-up's journey of self-discovery along with her and perhaps to explore their own sibling relationships as well. A loving and sweet addition to the Deckawoo Drive series. (Fiction. 7-10)

K-Gr 3 DiCamillo's latest follows the "necessary journey" taken by Baby Lincoln, much to the chagrin of her older sister, Eugenia. Leaving behind her ordinary lifeand the watchful eye of EugeniaBaby boards a train and meets a host of characters. Her adventure is one that introduces self-reflection, courage, and family dynamics to a young audience. Children will enjoy revisiting what are probably already familiar characters from the "Mercy Watson" series. Lorna Raver reads with an authentic and captivating voice. VERDICT This would be a popular addition to any elementary audio collection and necessary where DiCamillo titles fly off the shelf. ["Lending itself well to classroom read-alouds and discussions, and independent and bedtime reading, this title is most certainly a recommended purchase": SLJ 6/16 review of the Candlewick book.]— Rebecca Flannery, Memorial Elementary School, East Hampton, CT