What This Book Is About
Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist, and her classmates find her unnerving. So Franny sets out to do the most dangerous experiment she has ever attempted: fitting in.
It works, for a while. Then a giant monster turns up and attacks her class, and the only thing that will help is a real mad scientist. Franny has to drop the act and go back to being herself. Jim Benton writes and draws the Franny K. Stein books himself, and this one runs to 112 pages of short, cartoon-illustrated chapters.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
At its heart, Franny K. Stein is a story about the pressure to conform versus the courage to be yourself—a theme that sits at the very center of UWC's educational philosophy. In a school that celebrates diversity and individuality, Franny's journey from hiding her true self to embracing it resonates powerfully with students who may feel "different" in their own way.
The book also champions a girl who loves science, and not polite, tidy science either. That is exactly the kind of fearless curiosity UWC's approach to learning encourages. Add Benton's irreverent humour, which hooks reluctant readers effortlessly, and you have a book that builds reading confidence while giving a class something real to argue about: whether Franny should have changed for them in the first place.
Reading Level Guide
Building reading foundations? Start with picture books and simple labeled stories.
Perfect difficulty. Engaging stories with simple vocabulary for early readers.
An easy, quick read at A2. Great for building reading speed and confidence.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.