2021
WISE Score
Amazon
A charming, anxiety-soothing mystery for the kid who worries about everything from giant squids to losing their keys.
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is the good stuff. If your kid liked Mercy Watson, this is the logical next step. Franklin Endicott is a 'worrywart' in the most relatable way possible, and the story manages to be funny and light while still acknowledging that being a kid with a big imagination can sometimes be scary.
It’s short, punchy, and doesn't have the 'brain rot' feel of some modern early-reader series. You won't mind reading this one aloud for the third time in a row.
Ideal for 5 to 9-year-olds. It’s a perfect bridge for kids moving past picture books but not quite ready for the 300-page slogs.
Kate DiCamillo is the master of the gentle-but-real children's story. It models supportive friendships and community without being saccharine or annoying.
The 'Deckawoo Drive' world is quirky and slightly heightened, turning a mundane search for a key into a meaningful adventure. Chris Van Dusen's retro-style illustrations add a lot of visual flavor.
Zero red flags. It's a chapter book for early elementary students. The only 'danger' is Franklin's own internal list of worries, which are handled with care.
Excellent for emotional intelligence. It gives kids a vocabulary for anxiety and shows that being a 'worrywart' isn't a permanent flaw, just a hurdle you clear with friends.
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