Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

The amiable Mercy Watson takes an automobile ride she'll never forget in the second tale of an ebullient first chapter-book series by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" - and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 05/09/2006
Pages: 72
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.42h x 6.64w x 0.49d
ISBN: 9780763623326
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 106376 / Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Geisel Medal (Dr. Seuss) - Honor Book
Award: Delaware Diamonds Award - Nominee
Award: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 05/01/2006 pg. 82
Kirkus Review - Children 05/15/2006 pg. 516
School Library Journal 06/01/2006 pg. 110
PW Notes and Reprints 06/26/2006 pg. 54
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2007 pg. 55 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Kate DiCamillo is the author of the first story about Mercy Watson, Mercy Watson to the Rescue. She is also the author of The Tale of Despereaux, which received the Newbery Medal; Because of Winn-Dixie, which received a Newbery Honor; The Tiger Rising, which was named a National Book Award Finalist, and the new middle-grade novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Chris Van Dusen is an author and illustrator of several picture books. He lives in Maine, USA.