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Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist #2
Attack of the 50-Ft. Cupid
Franny's mom says every mad scientist needs a lab assistant. So for Valentine's Day Franny gets just that -- a Lab assistant. Except Igor isn't a pure Lab. He's also part poodle, part Chihuahua, part beagle, part spaniel, part shepherd -- and all thumbs.
Franny is fuming. She doesn't even need an assistant. What's she supposed to do with a good-for-nothing one like Igor?
And things get even worse when a giant, fifty-foot, arrow-shooting cupid starts causing trouble all over town. Franny knows it's up to her -- and only her -- to save the day. Or is it?
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
53 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Jim Benton
284 books610 followersBenton began his career in a custom design t-shirt shop where he started designing his own characters. At the same time, Jim did illustrations and artwork for magazines and newspapers. People magazine named him "the most visible cartoonist in America" .
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
July 25, 2012
I've needed to read this for quite some time. Brontë finished it months ago, but my own books got in the way, and I never seemed to make it around to Franny and her mad science -- until last night.
Insomnia kicked in, but I didn't have the attention span for my other books, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and Under Heaven, and I didn't want to start something significant while I was bogged down in those monstrosities, so Franny K. Stein won the night.
I was most struck by how far past this book Brontë is now. When kids are learning to read it really doesn't take long, does it? She bounced from Attack of the 50Ft. Cupid to Little House in the Big Woods, and now she is reading Stardust. Every stage from now on is growth ... if the child develops a love for reading.
As for this book, it was fun. It doesn't approach good literature, let alone great, but as a pseudo-graphic novel about pseudo-horror goes Attack of the 50Ft. Cupid isn't half bad. Franny is a mildly mad scientist. Igor is her brand new lab assistant (bought for her by quintessential Soccer Mom, who desperately wants to connect with her horror loving daughter), and Miss Shelley (love the name) is her much suffering teacher, trying to school Franny in popular -- normal? -- culture.
So on Valentine's Day, through much happen stance, a 50-Ft. Cupid appears in a Franny's house and tears around town trying to shoot people with giant, heart tipped arrows. Franny and Igor stop the loving rampage and all is well.
There are some fun jokes. There is an ass kicking Valentine's Day poem generator, that even you can use, and there are the same fun drawings we always get from Jim Benton. If you have a quirky little girl or two, you'll all love these books. They're pretty Scooby.
Insomnia kicked in, but I didn't have the attention span for my other books, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and Under Heaven, and I didn't want to start something significant while I was bogged down in those monstrosities, so Franny K. Stein won the night.
I was most struck by how far past this book Brontë is now. When kids are learning to read it really doesn't take long, does it? She bounced from Attack of the 50Ft. Cupid to Little House in the Big Woods, and now she is reading Stardust. Every stage from now on is growth ... if the child develops a love for reading.
As for this book, it was fun. It doesn't approach good literature, let alone great, but as a pseudo-graphic novel about pseudo-horror goes Attack of the 50Ft. Cupid isn't half bad. Franny is a mildly mad scientist. Igor is her brand new lab assistant (bought for her by quintessential Soccer Mom, who desperately wants to connect with her horror loving daughter), and Miss Shelley (love the name) is her much suffering teacher, trying to school Franny in popular -- normal? -- culture.
So on Valentine's Day, through much happen stance, a 50-Ft. Cupid appears in a Franny's house and tears around town trying to shoot people with giant, heart tipped arrows. Franny and Igor stop the loving rampage and all is well.
There are some fun jokes. There is an ass kicking Valentine's Day poem generator, that even you can use, and there are the same fun drawings we always get from Jim Benton. If you have a quirky little girl or two, you'll all love these books. They're pretty Scooby.
January 27, 2012
Pa: So what do you think?
Brontë: Well, I think it was really cool, and I love how at the end ... actually, let's start at the beginning. She's at school and she can't get it right, and she gets this card and Igor, her dog, just starts pushing stuff on mistake --
Pa: -- by mistake --
Brontë: -- By mistake. Yeah. And then the Cupid card actually turns into a Cupid, and then she wakes up and is like, "What did you do?" and the Cupid has turned into a big, big one.
Pa: A 50' Cupid?
Brontë (nodding): Yes. Um ... and then she gets her clothes on.
Pa: Hang on. Are you going to retell the whole story?
Brontë: No. And then she goes outside. And then she walks all over the place trying to find him.
Pa: The cupid you mean?
Brontë: Yeah. She follows him by looking for his arrows and follows his arrow tracks. So she finds him, and he's going to crash a bus, so she hides behind a house, well, a building. Then she jumps on a bus and saves a bus, but then she scrapes her knee, and she's sitting down, and the Cupid is pointing an arrow at her.
Pa: Is he going to make her fall in love with someone?
Brontë: No.
Pa: So what happens?
Brontë: And then she goes ... and then Igor, her dog, bites him in the bum. Oh, but before that, way before that, there was an arrow caught in her pigtail. And then the cupid turns around and points an arrow at Igor.
Pa: Okay.
Brontë: And she just ... she saves the ... and then she ... and before that she ... a wheel breaks off the bus.
Pa: And ... what did you like about the story?
Brontë: Everything!
Pa: So are you going to read the next one?
Brontë: Pa, I'm going to read all the books.
Pa: Cool. Me too.
Brontë: Yeah, you're reading them too. Well, actually, I might not read all of them, but I'll be close. I hope you like this book when you read it. It's a really fun story. I shouldn't even be telling you this. Now you know the book.
Pa: You are the master spoiler. Or should I say "Mistress Spoiler."
Brontë: I know. Isn't it wonderful.
Pa: Now you're performing.
Brontë: I know. I like performing.
Pa: So what's next? What book are you reading next?
Brontë: Little House in the Big Woods.
Pa: Cool. You know, that's why I wanted you to call me Pa instead of Dad?
Brontë: Really? I did not know that. Did you know that Franny K. Stein is 102 pages.
Pa: I do now. Good work. Anything else?
Brontë: Just that I like Igor. I think he's a lazy butt, but I love him. The end.
Brontë: Well, I think it was really cool, and I love how at the end ... actually, let's start at the beginning. She's at school and she can't get it right, and she gets this card and Igor, her dog, just starts pushing stuff on mistake --
Pa: -- by mistake --
Brontë: -- By mistake. Yeah. And then the Cupid card actually turns into a Cupid, and then she wakes up and is like, "What did you do?" and the Cupid has turned into a big, big one.
Pa: A 50' Cupid?
Brontë (nodding): Yes. Um ... and then she gets her clothes on.
Pa: Hang on. Are you going to retell the whole story?
Brontë: No. And then she goes outside. And then she walks all over the place trying to find him.
Pa: The cupid you mean?
Brontë: Yeah. She follows him by looking for his arrows and follows his arrow tracks. So she finds him, and he's going to crash a bus, so she hides behind a house, well, a building. Then she jumps on a bus and saves a bus, but then she scrapes her knee, and she's sitting down, and the Cupid is pointing an arrow at her.
Pa: Is he going to make her fall in love with someone?
Brontë: No.
Pa: So what happens?
Brontë: And then she goes ... and then Igor, her dog, bites him in the bum. Oh, but before that, way before that, there was an arrow caught in her pigtail. And then the cupid turns around and points an arrow at Igor.
Pa: Okay.
Brontë: And she just ... she saves the ... and then she ... and before that she ... a wheel breaks off the bus.
Pa: And ... what did you like about the story?
Brontë: Everything!
Pa: So are you going to read the next one?
Brontë: Pa, I'm going to read all the books.
Pa: Cool. Me too.
Brontë: Yeah, you're reading them too. Well, actually, I might not read all of them, but I'll be close. I hope you like this book when you read it. It's a really fun story. I shouldn't even be telling you this. Now you know the book.
Pa: You are the master spoiler. Or should I say "Mistress Spoiler."
Brontë: I know. Isn't it wonderful.
Pa: Now you're performing.
Brontë: I know. I like performing.
Pa: So what's next? What book are you reading next?
Brontë: Little House in the Big Woods.
Pa: Cool. You know, that's why I wanted you to call me Pa instead of Dad?
Brontë: Really? I did not know that. Did you know that Franny K. Stein is 102 pages.
Pa: I do now. Good work. Anything else?
Brontë: Just that I like Igor. I think he's a lazy butt, but I love him. The end.
January 29, 2024
love is a chemical reaction. sometimes its also the thing a mad scientist has for her lab dog assistant.
September 2, 2019
Franny K. returns in this Valentine's Day installment. The idea of valentines baffles Franny. As she repeatedly attempts to come up with valentines that will please her teacher and classmates, Franny's mother decides she needs company... a new "lab" assistant. And what better assistant than a lab? Or at least a part lab. Franny's new dog, unbeknownst to Franny, loves science experiments and desperately wants to assist, but Franny, frustrated and distracted, has no time for ugly, craggy-toothed, flea-infested mutts. Until one of her valentines accidentally crosses paths with a few other inventions she has laying around, and Franny just may need a little four-footed help to save the day.
Benton's wonderful wit shines in this installment as Franny creates hideous valentines and Igor the dog does oh-so-exactly what he is told. Young readers will appreciate the bare-butt humor and the gross factor, while present, has been tamed a bit for squeamish parents. A true comedy of horrors, give to younger readers looking for a Notebook of Doom, Goosebumps or Eerie Elementary follow-up.
Benton's wonderful wit shines in this installment as Franny creates hideous valentines and Igor the dog does oh-so-exactly what he is told. Young readers will appreciate the bare-butt humor and the gross factor, while present, has been tamed a bit for squeamish parents. A true comedy of horrors, give to younger readers looking for a Notebook of Doom, Goosebumps or Eerie Elementary follow-up.
December 6, 2010
Once again, Franny attempts to decipher the world around her that simply doesn't see things the way she does. This time, Valentine's Day is the object of her study. And she raises awfully good points. Why on earth is a naked baby shooting people with arrows emblematic of this day to share love and affection? She fearlessly explores this foreign world and begins to unravels its mysteries, finding a dear friend and saving the city in the process.
Her new lab assistant, Igor, is a wonderful addition from her thoughtful mother. The illustrations include great details that aren't in the text, but add so much of the humor and interest. I love Franny's alternative V-Day poem generator and her homemade cards! With a picture of a frankenstein-like cat: "You won't be my valentine? Well, suture self."
I just picked up the other four books in the series from the library today, so I'm going to go on a Franny-fest this afternoon. :)
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
Her new lab assistant, Igor, is a wonderful addition from her thoughtful mother. The illustrations include great details that aren't in the text, but add so much of the humor and interest. I love Franny's alternative V-Day poem generator and her homemade cards! With a picture of a frankenstein-like cat: "You won't be my valentine? Well, suture self."
I just picked up the other four books in the series from the library today, so I'm going to go on a Franny-fest this afternoon. :)
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
March 19, 2019
The book attack of the 50-ft.Cupid is a range of franny K. Stein’s daily life2, is all by Jim Benton. Is about the girl named franny is a mad scientist.
At the beginning of the story,franny is always doing her crazy science experiments, evryday hide in her room. On one day, her nighbor was give her a dog call Igor, and she said ok to stay with her.
At the middle of the story, when franny is go to bed, the dog want to help her experience, but the dog is touch something that can’t touch things,and Igor is made a Hugh monsters
At the end of the story,she and her dong Igor are destroy the monsters and fix her house.
I think this is a good book to read, because it is funny and interesting for 10 to 14 years old kid
Good good good
At the beginning of the story,franny is always doing her crazy science experiments, evryday hide in her room. On one day, her nighbor was give her a dog call Igor, and she said ok to stay with her.
At the middle of the story, when franny is go to bed, the dog want to help her experience, but the dog is touch something that can’t touch things,and Igor is made a Hugh monsters
At the end of the story,she and her dong Igor are destroy the monsters and fix her house.
I think this is a good book to read, because it is funny and interesting for 10 to 14 years old kid
Good good good
January 7, 2013
Jim Benton is an amazing author. I love these books. It was a quick easy read but, i want to be a scienctist when i grow up.
February 14, 2024
Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s time for my yearly Valentine book review, which is again randomized. These aren’t a top priority for me but may as well keep this alive. This time the wheel picked a quick one. Franny K Stein (by Jim Benton of Dear Dumb Diary fame) is a kids book series that ran from 2003 to 2008, then was brought back in 2019 then ended in 2021, for now at least.
The books are short, done in a rather Captain Underpants-y style with the use of pictures to carry it. They’re shorter than that though. I’m doing this as a one off, it’s not a series I’d read on my own, kinda like Bailey School Kids in that way.
Anyway, the series is about a little girl who is a mad scientist and this time she learns about Valentine’s Day. She’s more in the know about her weird science than normal things. She tries to make her own Valentine’s but a machine brings a paper cupid to life, then another makes him huge.
This was caused by her new lab assistant, a dog that is a lab. Haw. The dog proved to be nice but accident prone so she banned him from doing anything with her stuff. But he ended up causing machine troubles, leading to all this.
There isn’t much to say, it’s cute. Being for kids, I can’t exactly judge as it’s simple and not too deep. It can get a bit repetitive and on the nose but that’s fine for the audience. I did like Franny herself and her understanding of things and the adventure gets fun with how it escalates. The dog leads to some nice stuff, as predictable as it is.
The ending is rather cute. It’s a fun and quick little read that has enough to stand out for what it is. It’s what you would expect, in a good way. Not much to really analyze, even things like Bailey School Kids have me more to say as there was more to the plot. Less so here but that works for how short it is.
The Valentine’s element is decent enough, although it is more about the imagery and use of cupid than love. That makes sense for kids, of course. Overall, a fun and quick ride, not much more to say, honestly.
Yeah, not my deepest review but not too bad. At least I got through it quickly. As for next time, I hope to go back to Percy Jackson soon enough and we’ll have some misc stuff soon as well. See ya then.
It’s time for my yearly Valentine book review, which is again randomized. These aren’t a top priority for me but may as well keep this alive. This time the wheel picked a quick one. Franny K Stein (by Jim Benton of Dear Dumb Diary fame) is a kids book series that ran from 2003 to 2008, then was brought back in 2019 then ended in 2021, for now at least.
The books are short, done in a rather Captain Underpants-y style with the use of pictures to carry it. They’re shorter than that though. I’m doing this as a one off, it’s not a series I’d read on my own, kinda like Bailey School Kids in that way.
Anyway, the series is about a little girl who is a mad scientist and this time she learns about Valentine’s Day. She’s more in the know about her weird science than normal things. She tries to make her own Valentine’s but a machine brings a paper cupid to life, then another makes him huge.
This was caused by her new lab assistant, a dog that is a lab. Haw. The dog proved to be nice but accident prone so she banned him from doing anything with her stuff. But he ended up causing machine troubles, leading to all this.
There isn’t much to say, it’s cute. Being for kids, I can’t exactly judge as it’s simple and not too deep. It can get a bit repetitive and on the nose but that’s fine for the audience. I did like Franny herself and her understanding of things and the adventure gets fun with how it escalates. The dog leads to some nice stuff, as predictable as it is.
The ending is rather cute. It’s a fun and quick little read that has enough to stand out for what it is. It’s what you would expect, in a good way. Not much to really analyze, even things like Bailey School Kids have me more to say as there was more to the plot. Less so here but that works for how short it is.
The Valentine’s element is decent enough, although it is more about the imagery and use of cupid than love. That makes sense for kids, of course. Overall, a fun and quick ride, not much more to say, honestly.
Yeah, not my deepest review but not too bad. At least I got through it quickly. As for next time, I hope to go back to Percy Jackson soon enough and we’ll have some misc stuff soon as well. See ya then.
June 7, 2018
Franny is having a hard time getting her mad scientist mind wrapped around the concept of Valentine's Day. Her teacher's explanations of what should be found in a Valentine get totally misunderstood by her little brain. Meanwhile, her mother has given Franny a new assistant (aka dog) but Franny is not happy with his lab skills. It will take an almost disaster to teach Franny the meaning of love.
Ok, so as a somewhat mad scientist myself (just ask my former AP Bio students) I have to admit I totally loved Franny's Valentines way better than the normal things. Others will probably be totally grossed out by them. So only hand this to potential mad scientists who can get some dark humor (and some bad puns). I admit, I started to feel bad for Franny's dog, but he is a horrible hazard in the lab. In the end, things work out well. It only takes a couple disasters to bring it about. This would be a great pick for reluctant middle grade readers. Nothing like a mad scientist trying to understand Valentine's Day to bring on the laughs.
Notes on content: No language issues. There are several baby butt illustrations with Cupid flying around. Some of the Valentine's Franny makes are anatomically correct and a little gory with various organs (but if you can take the grossness, they are quite funny).
Ok, so as a somewhat mad scientist myself (just ask my former AP Bio students) I have to admit I totally loved Franny's Valentines way better than the normal things. Others will probably be totally grossed out by them. So only hand this to potential mad scientists who can get some dark humor (and some bad puns). I admit, I started to feel bad for Franny's dog, but he is a horrible hazard in the lab. In the end, things work out well. It only takes a couple disasters to bring it about. This would be a great pick for reluctant middle grade readers. Nothing like a mad scientist trying to understand Valentine's Day to bring on the laughs.
Notes on content: No language issues. There are several baby butt illustrations with Cupid flying around. Some of the Valentine's Franny makes are anatomically correct and a little gory with various organs (but if you can take the grossness, they are quite funny).
October 24, 2019
In book #2, Franny is trying to decode the rules of Valentine's Day etiquette at school while attempting to keep her new assistant, a mangy dog named Igor, from ruining any of her experiments at home. Franny's mom doesn't always understand her daughter, but she does know that mad scientists always need an assistant, and so along came Igor. Franny definitely does not approve of her flee-ridden subordinate, though she lets him stay to avoid hurting her mom's feelings. But when Igor saves Franny from one of her own creations, they quickly become friends and partners in mad science.
February 14, 2025
Tried for SAYL reading for 2025
Franny is a very misunderstood mad scientist. Her mother decides that she needs a lab assistant, Igor, a dog, that will listen to her talk about her intentions because none of her friends will. The titled attack is an accident of circumstances, it's nearly Feb 14th and everyone needs to make Valentines for class. In a rubegoldbergesque chain of events a 50-ft cupid is released unexpectedly on the town. He's rampaging around shooting real arrows into everything. Franny is working to stop him when Igor saves the day.
Franny is a very misunderstood mad scientist. Her mother decides that she needs a lab assistant, Igor, a dog, that will listen to her talk about her intentions because none of her friends will. The titled attack is an accident of circumstances, it's nearly Feb 14th and everyone needs to make Valentines for class. In a rubegoldbergesque chain of events a 50-ft cupid is released unexpectedly on the town. He's rampaging around shooting real arrows into everything. Franny is working to stop him when Igor saves the day.
December 30, 2017
My daughter and I whizzed through this book. There are simple drawings on every page that kept my daughter visually interested and the text is easy to read but engaging. Franny had a couple of layers of problems to deal with in this one and both collided in the end for a very funny (laugh out loud) scenario. And once again Franny has the gentlest soul with the weirdest interests.
I see my daughter asking for this one again in the future.
I see my daughter asking for this one again in the future.
June 7, 2018
Adventure two of Franny K. Stein occurs during Valentine's Day. Franny's mom buys a dog to act as an assistant for Franny, but Franny doesn't like him. During a mishap in the lab, the dog, Igor, brings to life and "biggerizes" a Cupid from a Valentine. Now it is up to Franny's mad scientist brain to save the town and the school kids from certain disaster yet again. I love the dark humor in this series and the way that Franny's brain works.
August 1, 2018
My 4-y/o grabbed this at the library because he saw an inventor and a giant baby and it made him laugh. He laughed the whole way through! We read it halfway through in one night and he woke up asking to finish it in the morning! He was so engaged! This was a fun read for both of us. He could make predictions based on the illustrations and understood the different emotions—great beginning reader, even for a not-yet-self-reader!!
November 3, 2018
Dear reader, for those hopeful for a kind and gentle review, this is not it. Let's begin by saying this is a bastardized semblance of Marry Shelly's genius work. Franny is supposed to be smart and struggle much like Victor. Following this theme, Franny fails to relate to her peers. Instead she finds comfort in being "a mad scientist." But, the author's portrayal of Franny wins her no sympathy.
October 16, 2019
I thought this novel was very interesting and fun! I loved the intensity and adventure that it offered. Franny doesn't want a lab assistant and she wants to do everything herself. The main character Franny is strong hearted and I love how she kind of is an image for young girls that is empowering! She is determined and this story was fun. I would like to read more like it.
October 30, 2023
This might be one of my least favorite Franny K. Stein books. As far as mad scientist creations go, a giant Cupid isn’t as interesting as some other things Franny came up with. However, this book introduces Igor, an interesting doge and good Lab assistant. He isn’t a pure Lab. He’s actually a mix of a lot of different dog breeds and there’s probably some hyena in there too. He’s cool.
September 24, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this with my kiddos [5 & 7 ] it had a lot of really good parts where it addresses a persons responsibility for not interfering when asked not to, but also that we should give people a chance to prove themselves and not disregard their worth offhand.
November 10, 2020
8 year old Ella: Franny gets an assistant and hates him. He accidently flipped a switch and something bad happened. Cupid came shooting out of a machine. You won't believe what happens next. This is an interesting book. I dare you to read it!
Read
October 18, 2021i would read these books at my aunts house during my yearly visits to korea. there were 메이플스토리 books and korean wimpy kid books, but franny was wholly MINE!! the “엽기 소녀” i was had a “엽기 과학자” to look up to💜
June 19, 2017
A Valentine's Day special book. She gets her dog Igor in this book and learns to love.
December 3, 2017
A larger than life Franny takes on a larger than life Cupid in a book with a super well-time baby butt joke. I love this mad scientist, probably more than my 4-year-old.
February 20, 2018
I love these books!!!
February 22, 2018
A fun series for readers transitioning to chapter books. See http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2018... for details!
May 12, 2018
It was ok, though a naked cupid walks around the entire time. I would have highly preferred him to wear a diaper.
September 9, 2018
Great book because it is a short book
Good book it is easy to read to myself and to friends
I started to read theses books since I was 3
Good book it is easy to read to myself and to friends
I started to read theses books since I was 3
December 24, 2018
I agree with Franny. There is something a little terrifying about a giant, naked baby.
January 21, 2019
Franny is a little rough around the edges, but she cracks me up and kept the kids laughing too.
March 24, 2019
This book has charming illustrations and an endearingly zany main character.
October 12, 2019
Love this series my 4-5 graders love Frannny
Franny was confused on the meaning of Valentine's day, trying to win her love Igor does something terrible!
Franny was confused on the meaning of Valentine's day, trying to win her love Igor does something terrible!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews