Francine Poulet is an endearing, just-tough-enough grown-up character who springs from the Mercy Watson chapter-book series by two-time Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo (The Tale of Despereaux, Flora & Ulysses). In Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon, the second early chapter book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series, the renowned animal control officer confirms that her confidence can be shaken but not stirred.
Francine Poulet is "the Gizzford County record holder for most animals controlled," whether bear, snake, bat or fish. So when she gets a call from Mrs. Bissinger on Fleeker Street about a shimmery "ghost raccoon," Francine responds authoritatively: "There are no ghosts. And there are no ghosts of raccoons." Her dear, departed father, Clement Poulet, had always told her, "Franny, you are the genuine article. You are solid. You are certain. You are like a refrigerator. You hum." But when Officer Poulet is atop Mrs. Bissinger's steep roof, nose to nose with the ghost raccoon screeching, "Frannnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyy!" she is neither solid nor certain. She is terrified for the first time in her life. Francine, ashamed, resigns from her position, and it's not until a boy named Frank (who appreciates the fine points of animal control) convinces her to believe in herself again that she does.
DiCamillo's quick, dryly hilarious dialogue makes this over-the-top story shine, as does the tender subplot about Francine's father, who still roots for her from the great beyond. Chris Van Dusen's comical caricatures of Officer Poulet, the ridiculously bejeweled Mrs. Bissinger and that crazy ghost raccoon make the whole book hum. --Karin Snelson, children's editor, Shelf Awareness