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Arthur Adventure Series
Arthur and the True Francine
A thought-provoking book about Francine, who finds herself in a fix when her new friend, Muffy, copies her math test
1 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1981
5 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Marc Brown
558 books388 followersMarc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 15, 2022
I want a series devoted to Mr. Ratburn.
March 13, 2022
If you're looking for a story that encapsulates the original values and intentions of Marc Brown's beloved Arthur Adventures, you won't find a better book than Arthur and the True Francine. A winsome, unpretentious tale of schoolyard mischief and knowing ourselves and our friends for who they truly are, it's as much a classic as anything written by Marc Brown, including such favorites as Arthur's Nose, Arthur's Eyes, and Arthur Goes to Camp. Fans of the book and PBS animated series alike will readily recognize the story from its title, and enthusiasts of the episode in both mediums will look forward to noting the differences as they're enjoying the story.
Arthur, Buster, Francine, and Sue Ellen cringe at the prospect of being saddled with Mr. Ratburn as their schoolteacher on the opening day of third grade. His high academic standards and no-nonsense disposition are legendary at the school. When they all end up in Mr. Ratburn's class it seems like a disaster, except to Mary Alice "Muffy" Crosswire, the new student. She sidles up to Mr. Ratburn and becomes teacher's pet right away, but that doesn't prevent her from making fast friends with Francine. The two girls share so much in common that it doesn't matter if Muffy overly ingratiates herself to the teacher. But things change when Muffy slacks off on her studying for a typically rigorous Mr. Ratburn math exam, and precisely copies Francine's paper in hopes of earning a passing mark. The identical tests raise a red flag, and since Muffy's character is above reproach in Mr. Ratburn's eyes, Francine is cited for cheating and punished accordingly.
Arthur and his friends are disappointed that Francine would compromise their softball team's chance at winning the big game by getting herself suspended over a test, and Francine is steamed at Muffy for letting her take the fall for Muffy's cheating. As the day of the big game arrives and Francine remains stuck indoors cleaning blackboards, Muffy must decide what's more important to her: the spotless reputation she's cultivated with Mr. Ratburn, or her promising friendship with Francine, who wishes for nothing more than to get out on the ball field and show the opposing team how she can swing the bat. Will Muffy prove the strength of her own character when her best friend needs it most?
Simple, sturdy stories like Arthur and the True Francine are where Marc Brown's Arthur Adventure series shines brightest, and is felt most genuinely. The unspoken question of Arthur and the True Francine is about who Francine and Muffy each are deep down, what character qualities they possess when you get beyond Francine's all-star athleticism and Muffy's immense family wealth and glitzy fashion sense. By narrative's end, we've learned pretty well who the true Francine can be: big-hearted and hardworking, valuing close friendship enough even to protect a friend who has done wrong by her. For all her bossiness and occasional insensitivity to others (see Arthur's Nose for one example among many), Francine is a good friend, and we're better for having known her. Finding that out is the ultimate reward of this book.
Arthur and the True Francine contains the seeds of multiple episodes of the PBS television program, which should be of particular interest to fans who loved the T.V. show before the books. Marc Brown's illustrations hold little intrigues, as usual, such as Buster's King Lear lunchbox and the markedly different way Sue Ellen and Mr. Ratburn are drawn when compared to future books and the PBS T.V. series. A big part of me wants to give Arthur and the True Francine two and a half stars, and no matter what, I know I'll always love this story. No Arthur fan should be without it.
Arthur, Buster, Francine, and Sue Ellen cringe at the prospect of being saddled with Mr. Ratburn as their schoolteacher on the opening day of third grade. His high academic standards and no-nonsense disposition are legendary at the school. When they all end up in Mr. Ratburn's class it seems like a disaster, except to Mary Alice "Muffy" Crosswire, the new student. She sidles up to Mr. Ratburn and becomes teacher's pet right away, but that doesn't prevent her from making fast friends with Francine. The two girls share so much in common that it doesn't matter if Muffy overly ingratiates herself to the teacher. But things change when Muffy slacks off on her studying for a typically rigorous Mr. Ratburn math exam, and precisely copies Francine's paper in hopes of earning a passing mark. The identical tests raise a red flag, and since Muffy's character is above reproach in Mr. Ratburn's eyes, Francine is cited for cheating and punished accordingly.
Arthur and his friends are disappointed that Francine would compromise their softball team's chance at winning the big game by getting herself suspended over a test, and Francine is steamed at Muffy for letting her take the fall for Muffy's cheating. As the day of the big game arrives and Francine remains stuck indoors cleaning blackboards, Muffy must decide what's more important to her: the spotless reputation she's cultivated with Mr. Ratburn, or her promising friendship with Francine, who wishes for nothing more than to get out on the ball field and show the opposing team how she can swing the bat. Will Muffy prove the strength of her own character when her best friend needs it most?
Simple, sturdy stories like Arthur and the True Francine are where Marc Brown's Arthur Adventure series shines brightest, and is felt most genuinely. The unspoken question of Arthur and the True Francine is about who Francine and Muffy each are deep down, what character qualities they possess when you get beyond Francine's all-star athleticism and Muffy's immense family wealth and glitzy fashion sense. By narrative's end, we've learned pretty well who the true Francine can be: big-hearted and hardworking, valuing close friendship enough even to protect a friend who has done wrong by her. For all her bossiness and occasional insensitivity to others (see Arthur's Nose for one example among many), Francine is a good friend, and we're better for having known her. Finding that out is the ultimate reward of this book.
Arthur and the True Francine contains the seeds of multiple episodes of the PBS television program, which should be of particular interest to fans who loved the T.V. show before the books. Marc Brown's illustrations hold little intrigues, as usual, such as Buster's King Lear lunchbox and the markedly different way Sue Ellen and Mr. Ratburn are drawn when compared to future books and the PBS T.V. series. A big part of me wants to give Arthur and the True Francine two and a half stars, and no matter what, I know I'll always love this story. No Arthur fan should be without it.
April 19, 2010
“Arthur and the True Francine” is another early “Arthur” book from the great mind of Marc Brown and is the first “Arthur” book not solely focused on Arthur, but on of his friends, which in this case is Francine. In this story, Francine gets into big trouble with Mr. Ratburn when she is accused of cheating on a test. “Arthur and the True Francine” is a wonderful read for children who are fans of the character Francine.
Marc Brown has done a great job at illustrating and writing this book about the importance of true friendship. Marc Brown’s story about Francine and Muffy’s friendship being in jeopardy because of Muffy cheating off of Francine’s paper beautifully portrays the consequences of betraying a friend’s trust in you and how a true friend will try to make things right again for the person they have wronged which will inspire many children to be honest with their friends and to not take their friendship for granted. Marc Brown’s illustrations once again appears old fashioned compared to his newer “Arthur” books because Arthur still has a somewhat long nose (although a bit different from “Arthur’s Nose” and Francine’s hair have lines drawn (which is almost similar to her appearance in “Arthur’s Nose.”) The image that stood out the most to me was the image of Mr. Ratburn himself, as he looks very different in this book than he does in the later books of the “Arthur” series. In this book, Mr. Ratburn literally looks like a vampire, as he has two fangs under his nose, slit eyes, and has slick looking hair that is similar to a vampire’s hair, which greatly reinforces the imagination that the kids have about Mr. Ratburn being an actual vampire.
“Arthur and the True Francine” is truly a fantastic book for children who want to learn about the importance of true friendship and how being honest with your friends will make you a better friend to that person. Also, for children who are huge fans of Francine, this book will surely be an instant treat for them for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since I do not see anything inappropriate for smaller children to handle.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Arthu...
Marc Brown has done a great job at illustrating and writing this book about the importance of true friendship. Marc Brown’s story about Francine and Muffy’s friendship being in jeopardy because of Muffy cheating off of Francine’s paper beautifully portrays the consequences of betraying a friend’s trust in you and how a true friend will try to make things right again for the person they have wronged which will inspire many children to be honest with their friends and to not take their friendship for granted. Marc Brown’s illustrations once again appears old fashioned compared to his newer “Arthur” books because Arthur still has a somewhat long nose (although a bit different from “Arthur’s Nose” and Francine’s hair have lines drawn (which is almost similar to her appearance in “Arthur’s Nose.”) The image that stood out the most to me was the image of Mr. Ratburn himself, as he looks very different in this book than he does in the later books of the “Arthur” series. In this book, Mr. Ratburn literally looks like a vampire, as he has two fangs under his nose, slit eyes, and has slick looking hair that is similar to a vampire’s hair, which greatly reinforces the imagination that the kids have about Mr. Ratburn being an actual vampire.
“Arthur and the True Francine” is truly a fantastic book for children who want to learn about the importance of true friendship and how being honest with your friends will make you a better friend to that person. Also, for children who are huge fans of Francine, this book will surely be an instant treat for them for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since I do not see anything inappropriate for smaller children to handle.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Arthu...
October 1, 2018
Francine and Muffy are good friends until Muffy lets Francine take the blame for cheating on a test. I don't agree with some of the stuff within the story - but still a valuable lesson for first/second graders.
September 21, 2018
Francine and Muffy learn the value of telling the truth and not cheating.
July 22, 2022
This one is about cheating but the resolution comes a bit too easily.
August 13, 2022
I just love this series.
December 15, 2022
I loved these growing up!
April 4, 2023
Super cute book
August 24, 2014
It's first day of school and the kids are talking about the teachers. They meet Muffy Crosswire who arrives in a black limousine. Muffy turns to be the teacher's pet. He believes anything she says. Muffy is best friend of Francine. One day, on a math test Muffy copies everything from Francine, but she says to the teacher that she does not cheat. Francine gets reprimanded and cannot play baseball. On the day of the game, Muffy decides to tell the truth and Francine can play winning the game. The teacher reprimands Muffy because she needs to learn to say the truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2014
The fourth Arthur book, though he scarcely appears. This time, Francine is in the spotlight. It's nice to see her get a positive showing, here. The moral is that honesty is the best policy, but I'm not sure I agree with the book's position that Francine shouldn't reveal when her friend is lying. Loyalty is one thing, but... anyway, it's still a pretty good book, though I liked Arthur's Valentine a bit better.
October 28, 2010
Muffy copies her friend Francine's test, but when Francine gets in trouble Muffy has to realize for herself that cheating is wrong. At some point, this is a situation that is likely to come up in a student's school career. Using this as a read aloud could help students learn what to do if they are in a situation similar to this.
January 29, 2012
Is Francine innocent or guilty? With a reputation or mischief, Francine is accused of cheating. What should she do? Should she tell Mr. Ratburn the truth? Will her best friend, Muffy, tell him?
Arthur's friend Francine stars in this Arthur Adventure. Packed with the same insight and silly fun that have made Marc Brown's many picture books-including Arthur's TV Troubl
Arthur's friend Francine stars in this Arthur Adventure. Packed with the same insight and silly fun that have made Marc Brown's many picture books-including Arthur's TV Troubl
April 24, 2013
We don't really see much of Arthur in this story. It covers a lot of common issues in school - teacher's pets, cheating, being unfairly punished for something a classmate did, having a friend who does something that causes problems. This book will come in handy whenever similar problems pop up and the class needs to address them.
January 22, 2017
Francine and Muffy are best friends and in this story they share a lot of things. BUT Muffy copies Francine's homework and Francine is the one to get into trouble. She knows it wasn't truly her fault and so she wants to make things right. She does finally say something and helps Muffy realize they were wrong to cheat.
January 14, 2012
Muffy is new in school. She and Francine become instant friends. On the day of a big math test, Muffy cheats off of Francine's paper and lies about it. Francine is punished and banned from the big baseball tournament. Muffy finally tells the truth and Francine wins the tournament.
November 12, 2012
As a huge fan of the television series, I was greatly disappointed at the lazy and sub-par writing of the books. The illustrations are very poorly done as well (especially if you have older editions of the books). Not good. just watch the show; it's on at seven on PBS every morning.
September 6, 2012
This book is great. I grew up reading Arthur books I loved them as a child. This certain one teaches children the importance of friendship and telling the truth. How telling the truth can really effect others. Lying and cheating only hurts others and yourself.
December 26, 2015
The cover might have been redrawn, but watch out, this is a classic Arthur book so do not expect the characters to look like the tv show. Also the titular character is not the main character in this story about Francine and Muffy's friendship and the importance of telling the truth.
November 27, 2008
Mommy says: we looooooove Arthur books.
August 12, 2011
good early reader, using text to relate to the television show many of the stories hae been repeated in the show.
July 26, 2011
Good book about honesty and integrity.
October 23, 2012
I love arthur books! They are great for any age. This book teaches how cheating is bad and how friendships are challenged.
April 2, 2023
Francine gets in trouble for cheating, when Muffy lied to Mr. Ratburn about cheating. She tells Mr. Ratburn the truth right before the big game, so Francine can play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 31, 2013AR Quiz No. 16965 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP
July 27, 2016
I love Arthur and all the other characters. my kids really enjoyed this book too. I would recommend this book to others.
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February 10, 20222409 (2)
July 18, 2021
I love these stories!
March 28, 2017
A good book about being honest.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews