Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

June 15, 2015
DiCamillo devotes her second Tales from Deckawoo Drive story to animal control officer Francine Poulet, previously seen in Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. Fearless and highly decorated, Francine may have met her match when she is called in to catch a shimmering “ghost raccoon” that seems to be screaming her name. A three-story “tumble” leads to a crisis of confidence, but Francine is back in the animal control game before long. Like Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, it’s a witty yet tender reminder of the importance of being one’s best self. You do you, Francine. Art not seen by PW. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

July 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Welcome back to the world of Mercy Watson and friends! In this installment, the fearless and unflappable Francine Poulet, animal control officer extraordinaire, is called upon by the bejeweled Mrs. Bissinger to capture a screaming, ghostly raccoon. When Francine faces the raccoon, she unexpectedly panics and ends up in the hospital. Her self-confidence lost, she resigns her position because she no longer knows who she is. "She was not an animal control officer. And she was not a Poulet, because Poulets never panic." Then she meets Frank, an observant boy who not only knows the whereabouts of the still-at-large raccoon but encourages her to face her fears and live up to her true calling, to remember "she was the genuine article...solid as a refrigerator." Encouraging readers to believe in themselves, this short chapter book pairs illustrations on almost every page with brisk dialogue and short, descriptive sentences. With plenty of white space and a large font the title is tailor-made for young readers transitioning to chapter books and will be enjoyed by "Mercy Watson" (Candlewick) fans and new readers alike. VERDICT A worthy addition to the series.-Ramarie Beaver, Plano Public Library System, TX

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2015
Francine Poulet, the laconic and intrepid animal control officer of Gizzford County, is having a crisis of confidence. Even though she has won 47 trophies for animal catching and hails from a long line of animal control officers, nothing can prepare her for her encounter with one very unusual and creepy raccoon. Mrs. Bissinger has reported a raccoon that shimmers like a ghost and screeches her name. But Francine's father always said she was solid and down-to-earth, and she refuses to believe in a talking ghost raccoon. When Francine faces the screaming critter, however, it screams "Frannnnnnnnnnnyyyyy!"-the name only her father called her. She is so spooked she panics, grabbing the raccoon almost by accident and falling three stories off the roof, injuring both her body and her confidence. Only by facing her fears can Francine truly call herself a Poulet once again. Exaggerated illustrations are filled with the energy and humor warmly familiar to readers of the Mercy Watson series. This relatively longer format allows DiCamillo to create more complex secondary characters, who add much to the story. The dreamy conversation between solid Francine and her deceased father adds a needed touch of seriousness to the comic premise. New readers ready for a challenge and some laughs will welcome more characters from Deckawoo Drive. (Fiction. 6-9)

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Starred review from July 1, 2015
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* The latest addition to the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series spotlights animal control officer Francine Poulet, renowned for facing off with a bear and for being solid as a refrigerator. Francine meets her match, however, when she is asked to capture a screeching raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Chagrined by defeat, Francine resigns her position until young Frank Endicott gives her the pep talk she needs to face her fears and her masked nemesis. Fans of Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (2014) will relish this new tale, which successfully expands the core of the Mercy Watson series while offering generous cameos from the original characters, as well as much buttered toast. No one offers early readers better quality prose than DiCamillo, who never allows the constrictions of this format to deter her from excellent writing: Franny, you are the genuine article. You are solid. You are certain. You are like a refrigerator. You hum. Series illustrator Van Dusen's artwork (not seen in final form) is a treat, as always, reflecting the quirkiness of DiCamillo's unique cast of characters. Francine Poulet will wrangle readers' hearts along with rascally wildlife in this standout early chapter book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2015
Mercy Watson fans will remember Francine Poulet from Mercy Watson Thinks like a Pig, in which the animal control officer tried to net Mercy. Here Francine fearless at her job, with an impressive resume including forty-seven trophies and an unbroken record for most animals controlledreceives a call about an unusual raccoon ( He is an extraordinary raccoon! He shimmers! He screams like a banshee! ) on a roof. Francine's father used to tell her, Franny, you are the genuine article. You are solid. You are certain. You are like a refrigerator. You hum. Unfortunately, when the shimmery raccoon screaming Frannnnnnnnnnnyyyyy! hurtles toward her on the roof, she loses her confidence, and then her balance; a three-story fall ensures that neither will be easy to regain. The wacky plot comes smartly together with humorous insights and lively illustrations. Familiar characters, including Frank and Stella, the Lincoln sisters, and Mrs. Watson, lead the story to its climax on Deckawoo Drive, resulting in the raccoon's capture, the restoration of Francine's self-esteem, and lots of toast. For new chapter-book readers looking for a bit more of a challenge, the second in this Mercy Watson spinoff series (Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, rev. 9/14) continues to explore the neighborhood and expand on all its fascinating and comical local characters. julie roach

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)