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readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Francine Poulet is the genuine article.
When you read books like this, it is clear why Kate DiCamillo is the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
When you read books like this, it is clear why Kate DiCamillo is the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Kate DiCamillo just has such a way with words - I love how the words sound in this book, the second book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series (a spinoff of the Mercy Watson series). This is a solid, enjoyable story about a woman who loses her confidence and, with the help of some enterprising kids, finds it again. Definitely recommended for fans of Mercy Watson and/or Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (which I also enjoyed immensely).
panda_incognito's review against another edition
5.0
The world is full of chapter books designed to engage young readers, but not many could be counted as works of art. This fresh, satisfying, well-rounded work is a delightful exception.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
3.0
My Mercy Watson fans will be so happy to read another book from Deckawoo Drive!
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
This second story from Deckawoo Drive (Leroy Ninker Saddles Up was the first), young readers meet Francine Poulet, the fearless and fearsome animal control officer. Following in her father and grandmother's footsteps, Francine is a first class animal control officer, in fact, she's won 47 animal control trophies, more than anyone else.
Since nothing scars Francine, when she receives an hysterical call from Mrs. Bissinger that there was a most unusual raccoon living on her roof and tormenting her by screaming her name all night long, she is immediately on the job. Undaunted and unafraid, Francine arrives at Mrs. Bissinger totally confidant the she will be able to capture the raccoon. That is, until it begins to scream her name, too. Suddenly, for the first time ever, Francine is afraid, so afraid she falls off the roof and lands in the hospital with several broken bones and a very broken spirit.
When Francine recovers, she quits her job as animal control officer and takes a job as a cashier at Clyde's Bait, Feed, Tackle, and Animal Necessities store. One day, two children, Frank and Stella, come in looking some sweets. Frank immediately recognizes Francine from a newspaper story about her and knows all about her exploits as an animal control officer and her fall from animal control grace and Mrs. Bissinger's roof. But why quit? Frank explains to her that the raccoon is a screamer, and suddenly Francine remembers her father talking about a screaming raccoon.
The raccoon had gotten the best of Francine, an otherwise outstanding animal control officer. Maybe, Frank suggests, she is still a great one. Could that be true, Francine thinks, could she possibly go back and get that screaming raccoon, despite everything that happened.
What do you think she will do?
Kate DiCamillo really knows how to write great transitional books for young readers, first with her Mercy Watson series, and now with Tales from Deckawoo Drive. What is especially nice for these young readers is that they will recognize some characters from the first series in this second one, providing connection and continuity, a great support for developing readers at this age.
And this sense of continuity carries over to the illustrations by Chris Van Dusem, who has done the same type of spot black and white gouache illustrations throughout this book, just as he has for the Mercy Watson and Leroy Ninker books.
Some of the vocabulary will be a little sophisticated for some readers, but will hopefully encourage them to look up words they don't know. And some kids might be reluctant to read a book with an adult main character, but I think Francine is a humorous enough character that they will overlook that (just look at the cover), particularly if they see her in comparison to the other adult in the story, Mrs. Bissinger.
Like Leroy Ninker, this is a fun story that has a nice quiet message about not giving up even if you don't succeed the first time around. And they may enjoy learning that Francine's last name, Poulet, means chicken in French (lots of potential classroom discussion about that, I think). I also liked seeing the encouragement that Francine receives from Frank. Sometimes kids just see things more clearly than adults - in this case, Frank reminds Francine to just be herself and be proud of it - and it works.
I'm curious to read the next installment of Tales from Deckawoo Drive, and I hope young readers like this one so much that they will be as well.
A useful Teacher's Guide is available to download HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Candlewick Press
The review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
Since nothing scars Francine, when she receives an hysterical call from Mrs. Bissinger that there was a most unusual raccoon living on her roof and tormenting her by screaming her name all night long, she is immediately on the job. Undaunted and unafraid, Francine arrives at Mrs. Bissinger totally confidant the she will be able to capture the raccoon. That is, until it begins to scream her name, too. Suddenly, for the first time ever, Francine is afraid, so afraid she falls off the roof and lands in the hospital with several broken bones and a very broken spirit.
When Francine recovers, she quits her job as animal control officer and takes a job as a cashier at Clyde's Bait, Feed, Tackle, and Animal Necessities store. One day, two children, Frank and Stella, come in looking some sweets. Frank immediately recognizes Francine from a newspaper story about her and knows all about her exploits as an animal control officer and her fall from animal control grace and Mrs. Bissinger's roof. But why quit? Frank explains to her that the raccoon is a screamer, and suddenly Francine remembers her father talking about a screaming raccoon.
The raccoon had gotten the best of Francine, an otherwise outstanding animal control officer. Maybe, Frank suggests, she is still a great one. Could that be true, Francine thinks, could she possibly go back and get that screaming raccoon, despite everything that happened.
What do you think she will do?
Kate DiCamillo really knows how to write great transitional books for young readers, first with her Mercy Watson series, and now with Tales from Deckawoo Drive. What is especially nice for these young readers is that they will recognize some characters from the first series in this second one, providing connection and continuity, a great support for developing readers at this age.
And this sense of continuity carries over to the illustrations by Chris Van Dusem, who has done the same type of spot black and white gouache illustrations throughout this book, just as he has for the Mercy Watson and Leroy Ninker books.
Some of the vocabulary will be a little sophisticated for some readers, but will hopefully encourage them to look up words they don't know. And some kids might be reluctant to read a book with an adult main character, but I think Francine is a humorous enough character that they will overlook that (just look at the cover), particularly if they see her in comparison to the other adult in the story, Mrs. Bissinger.
Like Leroy Ninker, this is a fun story that has a nice quiet message about not giving up even if you don't succeed the first time around. And they may enjoy learning that Francine's last name, Poulet, means chicken in French (lots of potential classroom discussion about that, I think). I also liked seeing the encouragement that Francine receives from Frank. Sometimes kids just see things more clearly than adults - in this case, Frank reminds Francine to just be herself and be proud of it - and it works.
I'm curious to read the next installment of Tales from Deckawoo Drive, and I hope young readers like this one so much that they will be as well.
A useful Teacher's Guide is available to download HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Candlewick Press
The review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
libscote's review against another edition
3.0
Another entry in the Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. This time it focuses on the animal control officer Francine Poulet, whose confidence is shaken by a screaming raccoon. I loved this story of her getting her confidence back, which I think will resonate with children.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for a review.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for a review.
kslhersam's review against another edition
3.0
Not one of my favorites, but still pretty clever. Francine fails so she quits her job, but then a friend talks her into trying again - good message of perseverance.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
A great story about facing your fears. You get thrown off your horse, you have to get back up again, or you fall off a roof and you have to get back up again.
Francine is afraid of nothing until one day she learns what fear is. It stops her from doing her job and she walks away from what she loves. Luckily, there is Frank who pesters her into being the genuine article. She faces her fears and becomes better at her job.
This is so well told and has all the fun of the Mercy Watson series. Kate never disappoints.
Francine is afraid of nothing until one day she learns what fear is. It stops her from doing her job and she walks away from what she loves. Luckily, there is Frank who pesters her into being the genuine article. She faces her fears and becomes better at her job.
This is so well told and has all the fun of the Mercy Watson series. Kate never disappoints.