This was my first Tales from Deckawoo Drive read and I enjoyed it very much. It is a good chapter book to introduce to young readers who are "afraid" of chapter books which are long and have no pictures. Well, this book is short and does have pictures that are entertaining in themselves. Franklin is a normal kid with very specific worries –lions, leprosy black holes and even armadillos! He keeps a notebook of all his worries, alphabetized and cross referenced. He is a serious worrier and often can’t sleep. When he discovers that his neighbor is also up at night, he takes her a cup of hot chocolate. The next day he accompanies her to an unusual store to have a key made and mysteriously ends up with a third key in addition to the original and it’s duplicate. What is this key for? A good mystery, a good cast of characters, reasonable adults and a curious kid. I will be looking at other titles in this series for my community library where I am the volunteer librarian. ( )

Great addition to the Mercy Watson extended collection. My kids love these stories. The chapters are short and we always have a good laugh. This is a longer chapter book than the orginal Mercy Watson series but highly enjoyable.

Another very cute story by Kate DiCamillo, this one with wonderful vintage-looking black and white drawings by Chris Van Dusen. Franklin Endicott worries about things. Actually, he worries about almost everything. And he keeps a list of his worries in a notebook – alphabetized and cross-referenced. I find that very sensible. I wasn’t really much of a worrier as a kid (though I turned into one as an adult), but I’ve always loved list-making. My childhood lists were more along the lines of books I’d read, or movies I’d seen. Even so, I definitely think of Franklin as a kindred spirit.

Franklin's efforts to deal with his many worries involve that mysterious third key, as well as some quirky characters, a strange used goods shop, and an enormous pig. And Napoleon Bonaparte and O. Henry get thrown into the mix, too.

This was a hugely enjoyable and very quick read – lots of humor and interesting characters, and even a mystery or two. Good for kids, but also fine for all us older kids who love a well-told tale. And now that I know it’s part of a series, I’ll be looking at the other Tales from Deckawoo Drive.
( )

Poor Franklin Endicott does not deal well with unknowns, stresses, and fears. He worries about just about everything and even keeps a notebook in which he lists all the things he worries about. He even worries someone will find his notebook of worries!
He researches nightmares and even brings Mercy Watson the pig to stay overnight, hoping she will eat his nightmares, but she just snores and hogs the bed. He doesn't sleep much.
One night as Franklin is awake getting warm milk, he notices Eugenia Lincoln, the lady next door, awake in her kitchen fighting insomnia. He makes friends with Eugenia and end up going to town the next day to help Eugenia get a key duplicated at Buddy Lamp's Used Goods. They leave the key with Buddy and Franklin is supposed to return the next day to pick it up.
When Franklin goes back, there is a third key in the envelope. Eugenia Lincoln says it isn't hers.
The mystery of the key adds to Frank's worries. After returning to the shop, Buddy Lamp shares a book of stories with Frank along with some hot chocolate. Mercy helps with the key problem and the special book helps Frank deal with his other worries.
I appreciate how this book can make children with anxieties feel that they are not alone. The book teaches that family and friends can help you feel better and being persistent and determined can have good consequences.
This is a great addition to the Deckawoo Drive series. ( )

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. He is afraid of everything so he writes it all down in his journal. Then he becomes afraid that someone will read his journal so he hides It under his bed which causes him to have nightmares. What will he do?
This book is recommended for boys in grades 2-4 or the reluctant reader. The author uses pictures and text spacing to make the story a quick moving read. The reader can face his own fears as he reads how Franklin conquers his. Fans of Mercy Watson will also love this story. ( )