What This Book Is About
Franny K. Stein is not your average girl. While her classmates decorate their rooms with flowers and butterflies, Franny's bedroom is a fully operational laboratory. She has a pet dog named Igor, her lunchbox contains experiments instead of sandwiches, and her idea of a fun afternoon involves building robot squids and reanimating roadkill. Naturally, the other kids at her new school think she's weird.
Desperate to fit in, Franny tries to change. She swaps her lab coat for a flower-print dress, trades Igor for a normal puppy, and starts bringing regular lunches. It works—suddenly everyone likes her. But when a monstrous creature attacks the school and only a real mad scientist can save the day, Franny faces an impossible choice: stay popular or be herself. What follows is a wildly funny, delightfully gross, and surprisingly touching story about the courage it takes to be who you really are.
Written and illustrated by New York Times bestselling author Jim Benton, Lunch Walks Among Us is the first of ten books in the Franny K. Stein series. Benton's cartoonish illustrations are packed with hilarious details that reward re-reading, making this a favorite for kids who love Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and anything slightly disgusting.
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, but messy, explosive, boundary-pushing science. This is exactly the kind of creative, fearless inquiry that UWC's approach to learning encourages. Add in Benton's irreverent humor (which hooks reluctant readers effortlessly), and you have a book that simultaneously builds reading confidence, celebrates STEM passion, and teaches critical thinking about social pressure. For Grade 2 students still developing their sense of identity, it is a gift.
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.