Draven Doogle is a typical kid starting third grade. That is, typical until a new neighbor and a worldwide pandemic change everything. From his bedroom window Draven witnesses an unsettling event across the street at Mrs. McBecky’s house. A girl walks into the house with Mrs. McBecky, but only an Octopus Monster walks out making Draven very suspicious.
Draven’s world is turned even further upside down when he learns that Mrs. McBecky is a new teacher at his school! He spends the school year trying to avoid Mrs. McBecky while still observing her terrible actions. Then even more horrific, the coronavirus causes a worldwide pandemic, the closing of Draven’s school, and even stranger activity at Mrs. McBecky’s house. When Draven’s dad becomes sick with the coronavirus, Draven must find the courage to sneak onto Mrs. McBecky’s porch to steal one of her coronavirus potions. When he fails this mission, Draven must face the terrifying witch head on. He is willing to do anything to save his dad, even if that means facing the dreaded Mrs. McBecky.
As a third grade teacher, this was a sad day in my classroom. Classrooms become families and cutting the school year early was like saying goodbye to your family at the end of a long visit when no one wants to leave yet.
Book Excerpt
Draven Doogle and the Corona Witch
Mrs. Saunders sat our whole class down in front of her to talk. We could tell that she was worried about something. Grown-ups think they are so good at hiding worry, but they’re actually really terrible at it. She told us that we wouldn’t be able to go to school for a while and that she would miss us so much. She really was the nicest teacher and her being sad made me sad. I almost cried in front of the whole class, but thankfully I held it in…even though Tommy swears that I cried. Mrs. Saunders gave us each big, orange envelopes full of papers and told us that we’d have to complete the work with our parents. We all laughed at this, but it turned out she wasn’t joking.
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