Member Review
Review by
Eva Kelly H, Reviewer
I can't stop thinking about Frances and the Monster by Refe Tuma! It was published in August by HarperCollins Children's Books, and it's Frankenstein with a twist. And another. And another.
This book has so much funny dialogue between the characters, who are incredibly quirky and yet realistic at the same time. There’s action, adventure, a lot of genuinely scary parts (kids who are afraid of the dark should read it in the daytime), fun and friendship, and sad parts. All the feels, as the kids say! It reminded me of The Wild Robot in that way. It doesn't hurt that there is also a robot. And did I mention the monster?
Frances has been left home again by her scientist parents (named Victor and Mary in one of many nods to Frankenstein), and she doesn't like it one bit. She decides to explore the castle they all live in and try to have some fun. Much to her surprise, she discovers her grandfather's ancient, hidden science experiments that contain life-and-death secrets. Monstrous secrets. Secrets that unleash a monster, who may end up killing an entire town if Frances can't stop him.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of my favorite books. Refe Tuma does a fantastic job of mirroring the novel while still telling an utterly unique story. I found some of the physical feats to be inconsistent and implausible (even in this context), but I'm rounding up (to five stars) because I'm haunted by this charming middle-grade book.
#FrancesandtheMonster #ChildrensFiction #ChildrensBooks #kidlit #middlegrade #scifi #fantasy #fiction @HarperCollinCh
This book has so much funny dialogue between the characters, who are incredibly quirky and yet realistic at the same time. There’s action, adventure, a lot of genuinely scary parts (kids who are afraid of the dark should read it in the daytime), fun and friendship, and sad parts. All the feels, as the kids say! It reminded me of The Wild Robot in that way. It doesn't hurt that there is also a robot. And did I mention the monster?
Frances has been left home again by her scientist parents (named Victor and Mary in one of many nods to Frankenstein), and she doesn't like it one bit. She decides to explore the castle they all live in and try to have some fun. Much to her surprise, she discovers her grandfather's ancient, hidden science experiments that contain life-and-death secrets. Monstrous secrets. Secrets that unleash a monster, who may end up killing an entire town if Frances can't stop him.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of my favorite books. Refe Tuma does a fantastic job of mirroring the novel while still telling an utterly unique story. I found some of the physical feats to be inconsistent and implausible (even in this context), but I'm rounding up (to five stars) because I'm haunted by this charming middle-grade book.
#FrancesandtheMonster #ChildrensFiction #ChildrensBooks #kidlit #middlegrade #scifi #fantasy #fiction @HarperCollinCh
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