"How can headstrong, opinionated 10 year-old Francine find the recipe for joy when she knows that 'if she started to count all the bad things, the list would go on forever?' A friend's father dies, a pet ferret swims in a jug of lemonade, and another brother is almost eaten by a tiger! Young readers will be breathless keeping up with Francine's mistakes and heartaches, and will find immense satisfaction when Francine realizes that, amongst family and friends, joy has been waiting for her all along." -- Sharon Jennings, author of Governor General's nominated novels Unravel and Home Free "Francine feels as if everything is going wrong - until she discovers that even in tough times, there's a way to make things better. Young readers will be cheering for this feisty heroine as she creates joy for herself and everyone around her." -- Jean Mills, author of After the Wallpaper Music "Beverley Brenna's Francine is an unforgettable heroine in the tradition of Clementine, Harriet M. Welsch, and Ramona Quimby, who navigates the world like an elephant tiptoeing through a china shop. A swishy, rainbow-hued revelation of a novel that pops with joy." -- Michael F. Stewart, author of Seeking Draven.