Lunch Walks Among Us

Lunch Walks Among Us is the first of the Franny K. Stein books. Franny K. Stein is a child mad scientist who has a snake for a jump rope, and a laboratory in her bedroom. On her first day of school, kids don't know what to make of Franny, and, in fact, are kind of scared of her. The only kind person that Franny meets is her teacher, Mrs. Shelly, who encourages her to experiment with making friends. The next day, Franny does decide to experiment, on herself. She creates a serum that transforms her into a cute, but boring version of herself. She instantly fits in and makes friends, but she misses her doll, Chompolina with steel teeth. Then, something terrible happens. All the garbage that the kids have been throwing away from their lunches forms into a Giant Monstrous Fiend that only mad scientist Franny has the smarts to defeat.The Franny K. Stein series is off to a rolicking start with this book. Franny is fun, and any kid just starting school can easily relate to her desire to fit in. This whimsical book delivers without being heavy handed a very clear message to early elementary readers about the importance of being yourself, even if you are a mad scientist.