Franklin Endicott and the Third Key: Tales from Deckawoo Drive Vol. 6
Kate DiCamillo, Author
Chris Van Dusen, Illustrator
Candlewick Press, Fiction, Jun. 8, 2021
Suitable for ages: 6-9
Themes: Worry, Courage, Mystery, Humor, Friendship
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Frank Endicott is a worrier. He worries about lions, submarines, black holes, leprosy, and armadillos. He lists his worries alphabetically in a notebook and suffers vivid nightmares that even a certain neighborhood pig can’t dispatch.
When Frank accompanies Eugenia Lincoln on an errand to duplicate a key at her favorite dark and dusty thrift shop, Frank earns fresh cause for alarm. Greeting them through the window is a headless mannequin, with a dead toothy weasel sitting on its shoulder. Miss Lincoln leaves Frank to wait alone with the shop’s proprietor, odd Buddy Lamp, while she runs some errands. As Frank browses while he waits, he spots an piece of amber with a dead insect inside and a jar full of eyeballs.
When Mr. Lamp presents Frank with the original key and its copy, he’s surprised to find a mysterious third key in the envelop. He tries to return the key, but Mr. Lamp insists that he’s never seen the key before and refuses to take it back. Will Frank be able to bravely face his fears and deal with the unexpected key. After all there is a mystery to solve. With a little help from friends (old and new), hot cocoa, and some classic short stories read aloud, the prognosis is good.
The latest tale from Deckawoo Drive—and New York Times best-selling creators Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen—is a balm for young worrywarts facing the unknown.
What’s to like about this book:
Kate DiCamillo’s delivery style is unique and appealing for young readers. She writes beautifully but thinks simply in her chapter books. Her simple sentences are packed with big words that challenge readers. It is a fun and engaging book for emerging readers.
This is volume six in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive. Franklin Endicott is a worrier and many children will identify with his story as he learns he has more courage than he gives himself credit. Many of the same characters reappear in each of the stories, including Eugenia Franklin, a quirky neighbor who nudges Franklin to take risks. Buddy Lamp is also has a strange way about him. I mean, who collects eyeballs. But it works well in this story! And of course, Mercy Watson the pig makes an appearance.
Van Dusen’s frequent illustrations add so much to the story and capture with wonderful exaggeration all the drama, humor and emotions of Franklin’s journey.
Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for young readers, including the Mercy Watson and Tale from Deckawoo Drive. Her book Flora & Ulysses and the Tale of Despereaux both received Newberry Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo lives in Minneapolis.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Review copy provided by Candlewick Press in exchange for a review.
I love these early readers that encourage children to read. Characters like Franklin are easy for kids to relate to. Kate DiCamillo never dissapoints.
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No, she doesn’t disappoint. I love that emerging readers can find stories that relate to things they care about and have a dose of humor.
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I’ve not read this series but it sounds charming. The characters have appeal and young readers will be hooked. I also like how the theme of worrying is woven into the plot. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
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Yes, the characters are very appealing for kids and this series is perfect.
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These are such great books and my early readers really like the way Kate DiCamillo always includes Mercy Watson, a favorite from their really early reading days. Thanks for sharing Franklin’s story.
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Yes, Mercy the pig is a big attraction in this book, if even just for moral support. I love this series too.
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Kate DiCamillo’s books are pretty much always excellent (Because of Winn-Dixie, Flora and Ulysses, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Louisiana’s Way Home—what a track record!), so I can imagine that this series she writes is delightful as well! I love that the books revolve around different characters but share the same overall cast. Thanks so much for the great review!
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Yes, the book has the same cast of characters and revolves around each of their stories. And of course Mercy makes an appearance in some way.
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This sounds like an awesome early reader series that I would enjoy too. I’ll keep it in mind for a gift for my nephews.
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Wish we had books like this when we were in school. They are fun and deal with issues kids 7 to 10 encounter in elementary school.
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This is a fun series, but a little young for my students. I have her Beatryce Prophecy on my TBR and need to read that pretty soon. Thanks for the review.
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Yes, it is a bit young for your students. I just finished The Beatryce Prophesy and enjoyed something very different form DiCamillo.
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I liked this one as well, for all the reasons you said. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Yes, I remember your review and waited to release mine. I love this series.
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A mysterious third key sounds quite exciting! I haven’t read this series. Do I need to start with first book?
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No, I didn’t. Mercy Watson the Pig I believe launched the series. And, then it was expanded into the Dewkawoo Drive series, where all the stories maintain the same characters and each new stories features a different character.
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On my list of books to read – but why am I waiting?!? Clearly I need to go visit Dewkawoo Drive!
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You can find her books in the library. You can read the books in any order. My great niece adores the Mercy Watson the Pig series — which launched the entire series.
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