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.
—Booklist (starred review)

One of the wonderful things about two-time Newbery winner Kate DiCamillo (Flora & Ulysses; The Tale of Despereaux) is that she sometimes makes grown-ups the heroes of her children's books...Chris Van Dusen's (Mercy Watson series) expressive illustrations add humor to this heartwarming story of both necessary journeys and the joys of coming back home.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

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.
—Kirkus Reviews

Those who have bossy older (or younger) siblings will immediately connect with Baby as she sets off to experience life without the direction of her older sister...Lending itself well to classroom read-alouds and discussions, and independent and bedtime reading, this title is most certainly a recommended purchase for those serving a young elementary age range.
—School Library Journal

A generous helping of full-page and spot illustrations adds to the energy and to our understanding of the characters. These stories—with their portrait of timeless small-town America; their use of adult characters as kid stand-ins; their celebration of mild ironies; and their pleasure in language (“You must be firm and resolute, particularly with mice. You must brook them no quar- ter”)—are a welcome addition to a time-honored tradition of children’s writing.
—Horn Book

Fans of Kate DiCamillo will be excited to see the third title in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series...Children will identify with Baby’s struggle against authority and will enjoy the story whether they have read the first two books in the series or not.
—School Library Connection

06/01/2016
Gr 1–4—Baby Lincoln has grown tired of living under the constant direction of her older sister Eugenia and has finally said enough is enough. Planning a "necessary journey," she packs her suitcase, complete with a library book, and heads to the train station. Fans of DiCamillo's "Mercy Watson" series will recognize Baby Lincoln and her home on Deckawoo Drive, while new readers will easily jump into this tale of sibling frustration. Students unfamiliar with Baby will be in hysterics to see that, despite her name, she's an older lady, complete with gray hair and wrinkles. Those who have bossy older (or younger) siblings will immediately connect with Baby as she sets off to experience life without the direction of her older sister. Baby makes new friends (like George, a young boy scared of wolf attacks) and discoveries (learning she enjoys comics and jelly beans) and ultimately finds herself missing her sister and wanting to return home. VERDICT Lending itself well to classroom read-alouds and discussions, and independent and bedtime reading, this title is most certainly a recommended purchase for those serving a young elementary age range.—Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT

Kudos to Lorna Raver for knowing her characters and narrating them to a tee. In this third of the Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Baby Lincoln, who is actually a gray-haired lady, walks out the door, having packed a suitcase to set off on a “necessary journey.” Raver’s pacing mirrors the deliberateness of each character’s speech and actions. Her Baby Lincoln is understated, kindly, and resolved. As Baby's bossy older sister, Eugenia, Raver is cantankerous and feisty. Without melodrama or exaggeration, Raver underscores the joys of dreaming, friendship, and sisterly love. On her train ride, Baby encounters a spot-on train conductor, a forthright young woman who shares jellybeans, a fearful boy traveling alone, and a fur-coated gentleman, all of whom in their own special way boost Baby’s confidence. Raver’s presentation of DiCamillo’s nuanced language invites multiple listenings. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

2016-05-14
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)