I cannot say enough about how much I love this book. I've been reading it to my 4th graders for years and it will forever be on my "must read" list. It's both tender and shocking at times. This is a story about loss, friendship, honesty, forgiveness, and ultimately love. I get chocked up every time I read it and I hope that never ends. Thank you Kate DiCamillo for giving us this book (and many, many others).