Review - Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #2)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2015
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 112
Format: e-book
Source: library

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.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This, the second book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series, was a bit of a disappointment for me. While it had some amusing moments (and plenty of Kate DiCamillo's fabulous use of words), I just couldn't get all that invested in the story, which is mainly about overcoming fear.

Francine Poulet, the animal control officer, attends a call for a screaming raccoon. Things go badly, and her confidence is shaken. It takes Frank, a little boy who lives on Deckawoo Drive, to remind Francine of her skill and her accomplishments. Only then is she able to overcome her fears and start believing in herself again.

While the raccoon and its screaming was pretty funny, I just didn't connect with Francine. She's probably my least favourite character in both series, so I'm not that surprised that I wasn't a huge fan of this book.

Maybe the next couple of books, which look like they feature the Lincoln sisters, will be more to my liking. Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon isn't a bad book; it just wasn't for me.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.38 out of 5