Kate DiCamillo: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

“A rabbit,” said Maggie.

“A what?” said the mother.

“A rabbit,” said Maggie again. “I want him.”

“Remember, we’re not buying anything today. We’re looking only,” said the woman.

“Madam,” said Lucius Clarke, “please.”

The woman came and stood over Maggie. She looked down at Edward.

The rabbit felt dizzy.

He wondered, for a minute, if his head had cracked open again, if he was dreaming.

“Look, Mama,” said Maggie, “look at him.”

“I see him,” said the woman.

She dropped the umbrella. She put her hand on the locket that hung around her neck. And Edward saw then that it was not a locket at all. It was a watch, a pocket watch.

It was his watch.

“Edward?” said Abilene.

Yes, said Edward.

“Edward,” she said again, certain this time.

Yes, said Edward, yes, yes, yes.

It’s me.

ONCE, THERE WAS A CHINA RABBIT WHO was loved by a little girl. The rabbit went on an ocean journey and fell overboard and was rescued by a fisherman. He was buried under garbage and unburied by a dog. He traveled for a long time with the hoboes and worked for a short time as a scarecrow.

Once, there was a rabbit who loved a little girl and watched her die.

The rabbit danced on the streets of Memphis. His head was broken open in a diner and was put together again by a doll mender.

And the rabbit swore that he would not make the mistake of loving again.

Once there was a rabbit who danced in a garden in springtime with the daughter of the woman who had loved him at the beginning of his journey. The girl swung the rabbit as she danced in circles. Sometimes, they went so fast, the two of them, that it seemed as if they were flying. Sometimes, it seemed as if they both had wings.

Once, oh marvelous once, there was a rabbit who found his way home.

is the author of many beloved books for young readers, including The Tale of Despereaux, which received a Newbery Medal; Because of Winn-Dixie, which received a Newbery Honor; The Tiger Rising, which was a National Book Award Finalist; the best-selling Mercy Watson series; and The Magician’s Elephant. About The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, she says, “One Christmas, I received an elegantly dressed toy rabbit as a gift. A few days later, I dreamed that the rabbit was facedown on the ocean floor — lost and waiting to be found. In telling the story, I was lost for a good while, too. And then, finally, like Edward, I was found.” Kate DiCamillo lives in Minneapolis.

is the illustrator of Crossing by Philip Booth; The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Stephen Mitchell; The Animal Hedge by Paul Fleischman; Hana in the Time of the Tulips by Deborah Noyes; The Serpent Came to Gloucester by M. T. Anderson; The Tinderbox by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Stephen Mitchell; and Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo. About The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, he says, “It was a singular experience to work on the illustrations for Edward Tulane and to be there with him on his journey. I must admit, I was a bit wistful when I came to the end of the road on this very special book.”

Also by Kate DiCamillo:

Because of Winn-Dixie

The Magician’s Elephant

The Tale of Despereaux

The Tiger Rising

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

Mercy Watson:

Something Wonky This Way Comes

Great Joy