Meet Miss Fancy

Written by Irene Latham · Illustrated by John Holyfield

A boy defies segregation to meet an elephant, but chaos ensues when she escapes.

4.1 Goodreads · 393 ratings

32 pages· 1,119 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud· 570L

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In a segregated town, young Frank dreams of meeting Miss Fancy, an elephant living nearby. Barred from the park due to segregation, Frank devises a plan to host a church picnic there. When protests cancel the event, Frank's hopes are dashed. But when Miss Fancy escapes, Frank must act quickly to save her, challenging the boundaries that keep them apart. Can Frank's determination bridge the divide and bring them together?

From the publisher

A charming and significant story set prior to the Civil Rights Movement about a boy who finds a way to challenge segregation laws.

Frank has always been obsessed with elephants. He loves their hosepipe trunks, tree stump feet, and swish-swish tails. So when Miss Fancy, the elephant, retires from the circus and moves two blocks from his house to Avondale Park, he’s over the moon! Frank really wants to pet her. But Avondale Park is just for white people, so Frank is not allowed to see Miss Fancy. Frank is heartbroken but he doesn’t give up: instead he makes a plan!

Frank writes to the City Council so his church can host a picnic in the park, and he can finally meet Miss Fancy. All of his neighbors sign the letter, but when some protest, the picnic is cancelled and Frank is heartbroken all over again. Then Miss Fancy escapes the zoo, and it’s up to Frank to find her before she gets hurt.

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