The Invisible Fran

Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist #3

by Jim Benton

There's nothing better than being a mad scientist -- at least according to Franny. So she's making in her mission to help her classmates discover their own inner mad scientists. All Franny needs for her latest experiment is a few volunteers, a half-completed two-headed robot, and an invisibility potion. Only this experiment just might prove to be Franny's most difficult. What do you do when your classmates don't know anything about mad science and there's a doubly dumb robot running amok to prove it?

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Science Fiction, Chapter Books, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Benton 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.

Reviews

[Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

accurate depiction of what happens when you try to force other people to take up your (dangerous and expertise-required mad science) hyperfixation

[Meg Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAEF'S RATING (age 6): ***** (actually he said "six million thousand stars")

RAEF'S REVIEW: This is my favorite book I've ever read. It's the best book ever because of Franny and Igor. There's funny pictures.

RAEF'S FAVORITE QUOTE: Fools + Tools = Busted-up Schools

---------------

MEG'S RATING: *****

MEG'S REVIEW: This book is just my kind of trip. All I need is an evil genius, semi-psycho elementary school girl with an obsession for mad science and I'm hooked! I will read every book in this series I can get my hands on--guaranteed. My boy actually FOREWENT HIS HOUR OF VIDEO GAMES because he was glued to this book! (Also--is "forewent" a word?) He read it all in one sitting. And any book that gets him to do that earns "six million thousand stars" from me as well.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

She had all of the things that you would expect any mad scientist to have. She had an electron microscope. She had a nuclear-powered brain amplifier. She had a giant flesh-eating koala.

Surely, thought Franny, many of them don't even have hobbies or interests, and even if they do, they're probably the kinds of dull hobbies that hardly ever explode or eat the neighbor's car.

"You know, deep down inside, all kids want to communicate with toenail fungus, but they've never been able to."

It's hard not to laugh when a reptile eats your best friend.

It was over. They had won. They had been saved by philately, accordionism, and Gaelic choreography.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, fun Franny K. Stein offering from Mr. Benton. I like that we get to know a few of her heretofore nameless classmates in this one. Franny has a tendency to assume that people are different from her because they just don't know any better - I remember thinking that myself as a kid - but she is capable of learning and growth and recognizing the value in diversity. And anyone who dives in front of a huge ketchup squirt to save shelves of books is my kind of gal. :)

Again, the illustrations add so much to the story (like the truth of what goes on in the teachers' lounge!) and the chapter titles are giggle-inducingly witty. I love that Mr. Benton doesn't talk down to his readers - can't think of another book for this age group that uses "philatelist" with quite as much panache.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a little trickier than the first two, but -- you know what -- Franny kills it again.

[Courtney Umlauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's share your hobby day at school and sure enough, just as Franny suspected, all her classmates have extremely boring hobbies like Irish dancing, collecting stamps, and baking cookies. Franny attempts to convince her friends that her hobby of mad science is really the only worthwhile activity, but of course this ends badly. In the end, she understands how great it is that everyone has their own interests.

This book has a good example of what I love about this series in a nutshell. Gross, stupid humor right next to a love for books.

After her two headed robot rampages his way down the the school hallway leaving graffiti and spit wads in his wake, he heads for the library. Franny's reaction is just what you know it will be.



She could have overlooked the graffiti. Franny had made inaccurate speculations about butts before. Butts are an imprecise science; errors occur.

And she might even have been able to find some merit in giant spit wads. She had to admit that they had a sort of charm to them, like a fresh snowfall--a fresh snowfall that smelled like the inside of somebody's mouth.

But Franny loved books. She loved everything about them. Most of what Franny knew she had learned from books. A creature this stupid could be in the library for only one reason; to destroy books. And an act that stupid was not going to be tolerated.


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[Ekram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franny k. stein The Invisible Fran by Jim Benton is a really good book it has adventure,a allusion,and makes you think a big idea that you wish you could do.Its great you should try it because... if you are a person who wants to be a scientist you will todally like this book or if you like mad actoin you will like this book and I'm 99% sure you will probably like this book. How Franny and his friends made a horrible thing but only Franny could Destroy it because she is the one who made it.(and her friends)

Also from this book I was thinking from the start is that her friend that is mean and she makes friends seance she doesn't have any friend's. But I was wrong she does have friends and she was the person who made it and it wasn't here friend it was a monster she made actually it was the friend's but they got persuaded by Franny. Also I think this book is a 5 star book it has good action and I like action and it has a part when I think a big idea that is so massive even I can't do it. So i hope you will think just like me.

Also if you are the kind of person who like's action,and making idea's you will totally like this book. Also this book is related to some people around the whole world. Because lots and lots of people including me think big idea's from this book in the beginning. The middle. And end maybe some people think a big idea from reading another book that relates to this book.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton. We first discovered this series when we listened to Frantastic Voyage on audio CD. We all thought it was a humorous tale, so we decided to read the other books in the series.

This story takes us to Franny's classroom, where she tries to recruit more mad scientists. She can't imagine having any other hobby or an interesting in anything but science, but she soon discovers the benefits of a wide range of talents.

I love the fact that Franny is a spunky, smart scientist and I thought it was great how she solved her problems. The story was very engaging and it's a fun, fast read. We enjoyed reading it together, and I am sure that we'll look for more of these books at our local library.

interesting quote:

"They don't understand the thrill of an idea popping into your head out of nowhere and then diving right in and making your idea just happen." (p. 44)

"It's hard not to laugh when a reptile eats your best friend." (p. 45)

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah Franny, always good for a laugh.

Franny is back and is seriously peeved. Ms. Shelley has asked everyone in the class to show off his or her talent. Franny is certain that one glimpse of one of her experiments and everyone will want to become a mad scientist. It soon becomes apparent that no else has the least interest in mad science. Franny is so frustrated, she sets out to make the coolest robot ever. On her day to show off, she brings the robot. Most in the class are not too impressed, but Franny has a plan. That night she makes an invisibility potion. The next day she shows up to class invisible and whispers in her classmates ears about how cool mad science is, and how they could improve the robot. Soon her classmates are creating all sorts of mad science things. Franny pleased with herself goes home. That night her classmates sneak into the school determined to work on the robot, unfortuneately without Franny whispering in their ears what to do, they soon make a mess of the robot. Once the robot goes crazy, it's up to Franny and company to stop the robot before it's too late.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When last we saw an invisible girl (if such should be "seen" at all) Jessica played one for the Fantastic Four movie duology. To the hilt, since, well, there's nothin' to SEE, wink wink! Anyway, Franny the mad scientist kid is back for round three in her never-ending quest to dominate the world! She wants kids in her school to enjoy being mad scientists.....or ELSE! So she screws up everything by poor attempts at show-and-tell. Her various gadgets don't seem to cut it, so she downs that potion to become see-thru and "clear" the area! then she schemes her way into the minds of innocent kids and whispers into their minds plans to create the ultimate two-headed robot, smarter than the average robot...or show she thinks..until...the metal monstrosity breaks down the walls of scientific possibilities..by BREAKING DOWN THE WALL OF THE SCHOOL, and escapes like...A BOT OUT OF HELL! Franny must now save the world once again! Now you see faults in the story...NOW YOU DON'T!!!

[Katie Petrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this science fiction genre book, Fran helps her fellow classmates to embrace their inner imagination. Her mission is clear but it seems to become more complicated when the experiment doesn't go as planned. Robots and other obstacles come in the way of Fran however, she doesn't let that stop her.

In this book the images and text work together to create a complex storyline. Artistically, the book takes form as a cartoon. The characters and other objects are given enhanced characteristics that convey a child like feel to them. This is valuable to the reader as it helps to establish a set theme within the book. Within the text, the words hold insight into the character of Fran. With this it helps readers to relate to the character on a more personal level. Fran stands for the outcasts and those with crazy imagination. Her unique perspective holds great value that reaches readers of all ages.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franny's class are sharing their hobbies with each other. Franny is disgusted with some of her classmate's choices. She's sure everyone really wants to be a mad scientist. Franny goes to some pretty extreme measures to convince her classmates to become mad scientists, but when disaster ensues Franny realizes her hypothesis may have been flawed.

Franny learns that it is great for everyone to have different talents and interests in a way unlike anyone else. Only she could need a lesson that involves invisibility and rampaging robots. And it is delightful fun to read. This may be my favorite Franny book yet.

Notes on content: One slightly disturbing image of her brother supposedly turned inside out with all his organs showing. Perilous situations, but no one is seriously hurt.

[Carol Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute book for children, my niece loves the series and says she wants them all. (Keep in mind she's 7.)

Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist who every kid would want as a friend. She's smart, cryptic, and a bit of a know-it-all. She makes science fun for imaginative little ones every where. In this particular book her main goal is to make every one in her class want to be a mad scientist.

She has them believe that they are helping build a two headed robot (Because two heads are better than one). Only after doing so does she realize that even if her friends aren't mad scientists they are good friends to have no matter what hobbies they may enjoy. :)

[Michael Zhao · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book THE INVISIBLE FRAN is a range of serious book of Franny K.Stein is by JIM BENTON,is about a girl named Franny is a mad scientist and doing her daily experiments .
At the beginning of the story ,she is doing her crazy experiments with her dog And help her classmates to solve their problem.
At the middle of the story, she is doing a the experiments need a few volunteers, a half-competed two-headed robot, and an invisibility potion,and this experiments will be really difficult.
At the end of the story, she is achieve to make,but don't listen to her words,so she and she’s classmates is kill this robot, and then fix it.

[Brandy McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

My seven-year-old twin daughters loved this book! I also did, considering my love of the odd and macabre! ;) We read it to celebrate Halloween, and now I need to find the rest of the books!! They're good for kids who are about a second grade level...my girls are in second grade and they had minimal trouble reading it. So if your little one can read independently, they should be okay! I usually use the five word rule: if my girls don't know five words within the first few pages, we don't read that book. We save it for later. Anyway, the story was humorous, and the illustrations were great!

[Kris Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Shelley's class are sharing their hobbies with each other. None of them are into mad science, so Franny makes herself invisible and whispers to three of them while they work on the robot that she set up in the room. they sneak back in later and finish the robot which runs off destroying the school. Franny shows up and stops it with the help of her friends and the hobbies (stamps to blind the robot, an accordion to bonk its heads in, and Irish dancing to stomp it to pieces). She even starts to take an interest in some of the other kid's hobbies.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope, nope, nope and DNF for Miss 3 (I read the whole thing). She adores Captain Underpants but finds these too scary! Maybe it's because Fran is frowning in almost every picture of her?

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Mr · Rating 3 out of 5]

102 pages- Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist. She was able to make herself invisible, she got an idea she would tell kids what to do like it was their mind telling them what to do. She told them what to do to a robot to make it better, but when she wasn't helping them they tried to do it again. It went crazy so Franny had to try and stop it.- Kara Rogers

[Samuel Arnett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really funny.Its about this girl named Franny K. Stien.She thinks that making pretty pretty cookies is stupid for a hobby.So she thinks that if she makes a cool robot that she would trick the kids in makeing robots too. but i dosent work.So she makes this invisable robot to vab her so she can go around and wisper in their ear to think that thats their mind talking to them .

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was awesome. Frannie K. Stein the mad scientist turns herself invisible and makes three classmates think they want to visit her robot. And add a few touches. And that night the three classmates go back to school and finish the robot. When finished, it destroyed the school. And wrote graffiti that said the principal has a rubber butt.g.t.g

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very easy chapter book for kids just starting out with chapter books. I read this book to my son and he seemed to enjoy it and the pictures on every page helped keep his attention. He liked the end of the book because of the moral in the book. I found some chapters ended too abruptly which left the story incomplete, even for a children's novel.

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was funny just a little bit, but a the same time I thought it was ridiculous. Franny tries to convince her classmates to be mad scientists. They actually complete a two headed robot that Franny started, but at the end together they have to destroy it. That is what does not make sense to me. Destroy something that they invented. Maybe that is what it means to be a mad scientist.

[Aliahh6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book was good but also not good. It was about a girl who was making an experiment and she didn't finish so she made her friends think they new how to make it by telling them ha what to do and then at night they went to the school to finish but Fran wasn't saying any thing so they ruined it.

[Elsbeth Magilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grammy bought kindergartener a .50 cent chapter book at the church book sale this morning and we’ve discovered his new favorite series and first chapter book! I think for 2018 I’ll switch my book goal from 50 to 100 but include all the chapter books or graphic novel volumes I read with kindergartener. 📚#raisingreaders

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franny is excited to choose just what hobby she will share with her friends on hobby day. She secretly hopes to find another mad scientist in her class. But, alas, there are none. In classic Franny fashion, she devises a way to make her classmates into mad scientists, but when she fails, she discovers that each of our diverse interests can play an important role.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than Jim Benton's Dumb Diary series, this book will have you laughing out loud!
Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist in training whose plans go awry. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I got to the page where Franny was using a robot to extract her own eyeball (only five pages in), I realized... this is awesome.

[KeKe_SO_LoVaBl3 {4_mii_boo_only} · Rating 5 out of 5]

read every one

[KeKe_SO_LoVaBl3 {4_mii_boo_only} · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It start with a mad scientist, Named Franny K.Stien.
she was Crazy about science!
one day she was in her lab she created a robot!

[Tiffany Delosangeles]

i read thiis book and it was cool so i read like 5 more after that