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Things are getting spooky on Deckawoo Drive! Best-selling children's author Kate DiCamillo brings her trademark style and humor to readers who are ready to move beyond the Mercy Watson books. This teaching guide provides discussion questions and Common Core-aligned extension activities for reading, writing and ELA.

For additional context on using Kate DiCamillo's books in the classroom, this video interview with the author provides insight into her creative process, how she approaches leveling her books for different audiences, and how to transition young readers from the Mercy Watson books to the Deckawoo Drive series.

Excerpted from

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
By Kate DiCamillo

Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County, hailing from a long line of animal control officers. “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! Join a cast of familiar characters — Frank, Stella, Mrs. Watson, and Mercy the porcine wonder—for some riotous raccoon wrangling in the second tale from Deckawoo Drive.

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