Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon (Kate DiCamillo)

I'm amazed at how even easy chapter books written by Kate DiCamillo are a delight. She doesn't skimp on vocabulary and the stories are actually quite compelling. This story is a bit of a spin-off of the Mercy Watson series although it's fine to read it on its own.

After Francine Poulet gets shaken by a bad experience, she starts to doubt herself. This would be a great story to read with a child who has been back-sliding a little with their confidence. Francine Poulet bears down and learns to handle what she needs to do.


Goodreads Summary:

Deckawoo Drive’s intrepid Animal Control Officer meets her match—or does she? A funny, heartfelt, and fast-paced romp from the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Francine Poulet is the greatest Animal Control Officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of Animal Control Officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. "The genuine article," Francine’s dad always called her. She is never scared—until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Maybe Francine isn’t cut out to be an Animal Control Officer after all! But the raccoon is still on the loose, and the folks on Deckawoo Drive need Francine back. Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of Animal Control? Join a cast of familiar characters—Frank, Stella, Mrs. Watson, and Mercy the porcine wonder—for some riotous raccoon wrangling on Deckawoo Drive.