Franklin Endicott and the Third Key

Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6

by Kate DiCamillo, Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator)

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.

Welcome back to Deckawoo Drive for a sixth endearing installment in the companion series to Kate DiCamillo’s New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books. 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 he accompanies Eugenia Lincoln on an errand to duplicate a key at her favorite dark and dusty thrift shop, Frank earns fresh cause for alarm. Odd Buddy Lamp, the shop’s proprietor, has sent them home with the original key and its copy. Can Frank come to terms with the mystery without buckling under his mounting dread? With a little help from friends (old and new), hot cocoa, and some classic short stories read aloud, the prognosis is good.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

112 pages, Hardcover

Published June 8, 2021

About the author

Kate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.

Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.

Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I may have enjoyed this even more than my kids, though enjoy it they did--which is saying something since it has no silliness or adventure or other exciting outrageousness. It's a delightful little story of a boy getting over his worries about everything unknown by learning to appreciate the marvel of mysteries. And not criminal mysteries, but the mundane, everyday variety. As such, the book tells a very everyday story yet fills it with delight. I want to read it again now.

[Molly Grimmius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t love Kate Dicamillo more. She has the best ability to tackle testable and hard things in such a gentle way with few words and beautiful resolutions. Frank is a worrier and this about how finds a way to cope with worries and turn them into marvels. I also love how this is about community and neighbors. It is also about the power of reading a loud.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listed to this from the Libby app as an audiobook and I wonder if that was half the entertainment. I was pre-reading for my Kindergarten read alouds next year and this one is a new Sonlight addition since the last time I did Kindergarten (aka Core A). This is a winner and I look forward to sharing it. I need to get a copy for our shelf, or the audiobook. I must add it is also my first experience with Mercy Watson, even if she is an extra character in this story.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series and am happy when there is any new addition to the neighborhood. Franklin Endicott is a wonderfully complex character that I enjoyed getting to know. I understood a lot of Franklin's worries. I had a lot of them as a kid also, although I didn't keep a notebook full of them. I loved how Kate Di Camillo showed how worries can turn into wonders. I enjoyed the relationship Franklin had with next door neighbor Eugenia Lincoln, how he would bring her warm milk with honey and cinnamon when he would see her up at night unable to sleep. At one point in the story she called him her friend and I loved that. I saw a much softer and kinder side of her than I ever had before. I hope we get to see more of Franklin and his sister Stella in the future.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franklin Endicott and the third key is a good book about being brave and doing something you don't want to do and then liking it. Now, I'm not going to give any spoilers. For example: coming back, having hot coco in the place that you did't like before. Oops that may have bean a little spoiler.

BYYYYYYYYYY AND SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. Franklin Endicott has a lot of worries, so many worries that he writes them in a worry notebook. Having a child who also has a lot of worries, I really loved it’s message—that worries can be wonders. It dealt with anxiety in a heartfelt, gentle, and humorous (because Mercy Watson is involved) way. We’ll definitely read this again.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a huge fan of the Deckawoo Drive series. This is a terrific title for all ages. I think that especially shy or causations children would relate to Franklin.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Charming. I could relate to Frank, in that, he is a worrier. But, with the help of an elderly lady and an antique shop owner, he turns his worries into marvels! Would be a great read-aloud for 1st-2nd grade.

[Yolanda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be my favorite of the Deckawoo Drive series.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank worries about so many things. Black holes. Lions. Leprosy. He even worries about how much he worries. But when he accompanies his neighbor on an errand to get a key duplicated, it may lead to just the "key" Frank needs in relation to his worries in Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by author Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.

This is only the second of the six Tales from Deckawoo Drive I've read. And mark this as the second time I've been amazed by these children's tales.

This read surrounding Frank's mysterious little adventure is clever, funny, and zippy with cozy and touching moments along the way. The excellent, caricatural illustrations are positively bursting with personality, the story's nuggets about the power of stories are spot-on, and the wise and valuable lesson Frank learns is far more than a kiddie lesson—even as it's simple enough for kids to grasp, of course.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best children's books I've ever read.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Kate DiCamillo's writing style and word choices and the theme of this book- reframing worries as wonders and getting comfortable with living with uncertainty- was a winner. Relatable topic handled in a way that respects kid readers and helps them grow. This was a read-aloud here and we detoured to read the O. Henry story mentioned because it's excellent and knowing that story gives greater depth to this one.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of the series so far. Franklin Endicott is a worrier. He keeps a journal of things he's worried about and he goes to Eugenia Lincoln's house to use her encyclopedias a lot. They go to get a key copied and a mysterious key shows up with it. He tries to find what it goes to and then Mercy Watson eats it. He realizes that sometimes its okay for things to be unknown. I love the love of books, but the rest of this was dull.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Kate DiCamillo ever steer us wrong? What a beautiful book that also happens to tackle the topic of worry. I appreciated the friendship that developed between Frank and Eugenia- it offered us a different angle of Eugenia's personality and life. Loved the integration of the power of stories and sharing them (along with a hot beverage) with friends. Always enjoy hearing from Stella and Mercy Watson. Humdee Dum Dee.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been reading these books with my six year old and they are wonderful.
Updated to add: these are short chapter books that are entertaining for both of us. The next day after we finished this book my kid, who is a worrier, was worrying about something aloud. I asked her what did Frank Endicott learn to do when he was worrying so much. It turned into a great conversation and my kid found some tools to ease her worries. Win win.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love our friends on Deckawoo Drive, and this one might be one of my favorites. Franklin and Eugenia make a funny pairing and we had some great discussions about worrying. This series is genius - funny and wise all at once.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime I get to visit with the literary characters on Deckawoo Drive, I am happy. In theory I know these book are written for children, but I am positive that Kate DiCamillo also writes them for old folks like me. I have started reading Mercy Watson with my grandkids and look forward to reading the whole series with them.
With the help of Eugenia and Baby Lincoln and Mercy Watson, Franklin just might learn how to control his worries.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this tale from deckawoo drive. It contains mysteries and marvels and worries and good friends who will share hot chocolate and talk of things that matter. It teaches us to step forward bravely. Delightful.

[Vellanorah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one ending nicely with love and friends but getting there was a bit of a chore. My daughter was not excited to read this one each night so we will not continue with this series. It was okay but nothing to write home about.

[Cali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Mercy Watson books and parallel novels by Kate DiCamillo. This most recent book I was a little unsure about in the beginning, but I liked the ending and moral. Fun, quick read aloud (or audio book).

[Andrea 🌹 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this one.

[Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mission

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly perfect

Maybe more for adults 💕

Audiobook by William Jackson Harper is read so beautifully what a great crossover 🙏🏽 he nails nerdy black boy voice such a delight !

[Emily B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy Watson never disappoints. Such a fun read-aloud.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and cozy to be back with our cherished friends on Deckawoo Drive.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

More wacky tales from Deckawoo Drive and this is one of my new favorites! Kate DiCamillo speaks to kids and to the kid in all of us as well. She looks fears and emotions squarely in the face and addresses them in ways young readers can take right into their hearts.

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. He is such a worrier that he keeps a notebook listing his worries AND he even puts organizing tabs in it! When he puts the notebook under his bed one night, the nightmares begin and soon Franklin notices that his neighbor Eugenia Lincoln was also awake in the night. When he shares hot milk with her and confides his worries, Lincoln begins a journey that helps to manage his fears.

Her trademark style and vocabulary and her respect for kids' understanding, shines as always here. And perhaps this charming tale will assist some young worriers but it is a certainty that they will be touched and entertained.

[Laurie Hnatiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the sixth book of the Deckawoo Drive series, this is the first one I have read. Franklin Endicott worries a lot. So much so that he has a journal where he lists the various worries he has. Franklin worries so much that sometimes he has nightmares that his younger sister will find his book and is up in the middle of the night. On one of these occasions, Franklin visits his neighbour Eugenia Lincoln who also is up. After sharing a cup of warm milk, he ends up making plans to help Eugenia get a key made the next day. Buddy Lane's thrift store is not what Franklin expects, and he will be adding new items to worry about in his book. After Franklin finishes the errand and opens the envelope, there is a mysterious third key. Eugenia knows it is not hers and insists that Franklin return it the next day to Buddy Lane. Buddy insists the key does not belong to him, and when Franklin begins to worry about it, Buddy makes hot chocolate, tells him a story and gives him a book to take home. Thus begins Franklin's new journey and the brilliance of this story. I loved the eccentric characters and know that kids will relate to Franklin's worries and be riveted by how Eugenie and Buddy quietly remove his worries replacing them with a love of story. Now I need to go back and read the other five. There is a lot one could do with this short chapter book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank is a worrier. He worries about everything from the mundane to the unique and he records his worries in a notebook. His worries lead to nightmares that wake him in the middle of the night. One night he discovers that Ms. Lincoln, his neighbor and dear friend, is also awake. As the two talk over a cup of warm milk, Ms. Lincoln shares how she can't sleep because she has insomnia. As they run errands the next day, Ms. Lincoln introduces Frank to a strangely unique man, Buddy Lamp, who owns a used goods store that is filled with the strangest and most random of things. Buddy gives Frank a book of short stories along with a mystery key. What does Frank end up doing with them?

This book was a pleasant surprise. Frank is a worrier and seems pretty anxious most of the time. With the gift of the book that Buddy gives him, Frank is able to unlock the world of stories and leave his worries and eventually nightmares behind, while also helping Ms. Lincoln out as well (though not explicitly stated but could be implied). This book encourages reading and does provide the perspective of books being able to help preoccupied minds such as Frank's. Also, I appreciated how Kate DiCamillo does "a cup half full" vs. "a cup half empty" parallel, when Frank's book of worries becomes a book of marvels instead.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook!

This is book 6 in the Tales of Deckawoo Drive, and I now want to go back and listen to the others. Yes listen, because this listening experience was so delightful (I mean the narrator is Chidi from The Good Place!) that it set a precedent! That being said, I did not feel like I was missing out on any part of this book but not having read any of the others. Franklin doesn't like the unknown. He worries about everything. And he keeps track of his worries in a notebook. But when one day he accompanies his neighbor lady to a curious thrift store so she can get a duplicated key, his internal alarm starts ringing because a THIRD key was present in the envelope and he cannot help wondering what it's for! This leads Franklin on a journey to confront his fears and it's a journey you want to be on.

[Marisa Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread with Leeland and Amelia. A shorter chapter book in length but a huge vocabulary so Leeland and I read aloud together. He one character and me a few.
“Frank thought how mysterious the world was, how unexplainable and sometimes frightening. But to sit in the kitchen and read someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story- that was a wonderful thing.”
Simply beautiful!

2021- Read this book aloud with my 7 and 4 year old kids. We love anything by Kate Dicamillo and this book was one of our favorites.
It deals with a boy who worries and writes down all his worries. He is then introduced to a strange man running a unique store and a key with a mystery.
I love the characters. We were all excited that Mercy Watson from her other books was in this one too.
So many book quotes and totally cried at the end when she flips the script on worry.
She is the best!

[Libby Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is geared to children, this is a comfort read for me. I relate so well to Frank, who defines himself as a worrier. I have read it 3 times now on my own (two with my children) and it has it all: humor, tender character development, charming old people, and quirkiness to the max!

Highly recommend this for everyone 5 and up!

*September 2025*
This remains an all time favorite of mine. There was a lot that grabbed my kids’ attention this time around that hasn’t before. We delved into O. Henry, golden doubloons, and the meaning of “carte blanche” not to mention briefly covering who Harry Houdini and Napoleon Bonaparte are.

Kate DiCamillo does so much in so few words it just breaks my heart with the beauty of it all.