Frances and the Monster - (Frances Stenzel) by Refe Tuma (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Frances Stenzel was just trying to prove her scientific worth to her parents...instead, she reawakened her great-grandfather's secret and most terrible invention. Before it can destroy the town, she sets off after it...and she'll have to face...angry locals and an unexpected friendship...while the trail for the monster goes cold and time is running out before her science career, and the city itself, are doomed forever"--

Book Synopsis

"A joy to read!" -- New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix

What would you do if you accidentally brought a monster to life and set him loose on your town?

Adventurous and charming, this middle grade twist on Frankenstein features a precocious main character who does just that. Perfect for fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and the Greenglass House series.

Frances Stenzel was just trying to prove her scientific worth to her parents so they would take her with them to their scientific symposiums for once--instead, she reawakened her great-grandfather's secret and most terrible invention.

Before it can destroy the town, she sets off after it, with her pet chimp and sarcastic robot tutor by her side. But monster-hunting isn't easy, and she'll have to face a persistent constable, angry locals, and an unexpected friendship ahead--all while the trail for the monster goes cold and time is running out before her science career, and the city itself, are doomed forever.

Full of thrills and heart alike, Frances and the Monster takes readers through winding streets and over perilous rooftops, with wily monsters, unpredictable twists, and powerful friendships waiting along the way.

She wanted to prove she was a scientist. But what happens when your greatest experiment has a mind of its own?

• A Frankenstein Retelling: Perfect for kids who love classic monster stories, this tale puts a brilliant young scientist in charge of a creature she can't control.
• Sarcastic Robot Tutor: Frances is never alone thanks to Hobbes, her mechanical tutor whose logical--and often sarcastic--advice is not always helpful.
• Intelligent Animal Sidekick: With the help of an intelligence serum, Fritz the chimpanzee is more than a pet--he's Frances's partner in crime-stopping and monster-hunting.
• A Thrilling Monster Hunt: Chase a mysterious creature through the snowy streets and over the rooftops of 1930s Bern, Switzerland, before a determined constable catches you first.

Review Quotes

"A captivating tale filled with monsters, marvels, and misadventures, Frances and the Monster is gripping, inventive, and deeply moving. Tuma's middle-grade debut is a harrowing and heartfelt tribute to owning your scars and learning to turn them into stars." - Alysa Wishingrad, author of The Verdigris Pawn

"This book has twists, turns, and surprises galore...And the ending, holy moly! No spoilers here, but this is the kind of book you'll want to talk about with a friend." - Ben Gartner, author of The Eye of Ra series

"A joy to read!" - New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix

"[Frances'] memorable adventure, with strong echoes of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, plays out against a colorful background as she confronts who she is in a truly shocking finale. A fast-paced and remarkably original tale." - Kirkus Reviews

"Bursting with wry humor and references to Frankenstein, Tuma's (the What the Dinosaurs Did series) idiosyncratic, utterly original tale moves at breakneck speed ...while injecting considered discussions of modern themes such as gender roles and privilege." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This "remix" repurposes Frankenstein's plot points and characters into a madcap adventure, nicely balancing whimsy and peril...Frances is both a terror and a delight. The author clearly had a rollicking good time, and readers will too. - Horn Book Magazine