Ferris
Emma Phineas Wilkey, known as Ferris because she was born under a Ferris wheel, is having an eventful summer. Her little sister has decided to become an outlaw, her uncle has moved into the basement to paint a history of the world, her father is fighting off raccoons, and her grandmother Charisse keeps seeing a ghost at her bedroom door, which feels like a worrying sign since Charisse is also unwell. Kate DiCamillo, the author of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, writes a warm, funny middle-grade novel about family, love, and the small wonders of ordinary life. It is gentle and big-hearted, with the light touch that has made DiCamillo a beloved children's author.
Also by Kate DiCamillo
What you might want to know about Ferris
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
In the summer before fifth grade, a girl named Ferris deals with a ghost in her grandmother's room and the cheerful chaos of her family.
Yes. Ann Patchett recommended it on PBS NewsHour's summer reading segment in 2024.
It is a middle-grade novel, aimed at readers roughly 8 to 12, though Kate DiCamillo's books are widely read by adults too.
Ferris was written by Kate DiCamillo, published in 2024 by Candlewick Press.
Ferris is 240 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Ferris takes most readers 4 to 5 hours to finish.
Ferris is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
