Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Harry N. Abrams (2014), Edition: Uncorrected Proof, 1st Ed., 288 pages
Description
"This middle-grade novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952-53. The protagonist is Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness. While recovering from polio, she begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain"--
Awards
Triple Crown Awards (Nominee — 2018)
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Mass Import -- Pending Differentiation)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2015)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member sennebec
NOTE: This refers to the unabridged audio book edition.
It's 1952 and eleven year old Franny Katzenback is discovering that life for her is different and extremely unfair. Not only has polio taken away her ability to walk, it has instilled irrational fear in her friends who mistakenly believe she's
Despite his pomposity, he helps Franny get through the rough spots, even turning her into somewhat of a mystery hero and banishing the cruel nurse in one of the funnier parts of the story.
Narrator Julie Marcus does a good job with the voices, although Fleabrain's stridency may grate on some ears. The weaving in of information about the birth and death dates of so many historical figures may put off some younger listeners, but the way the author brings an earlier time and a frightening epidemic to life make this a very good addition to historical fiction for juveniles.
It's 1952 and eleven year old Franny Katzenback is discovering that life for her is different and extremely unfair. Not only has polio taken away her ability to walk, it has instilled irrational fear in her friends who mistakenly believe she's
Show More
still contagious. Add in a nurse who treats her cruelly and a sense of isolation and you get a picture of what her life has become. Enter Fleabrain, a brilliant, but pompous insect living at the tip of her dog's tail. He's an obsessive reader and uses various types of flea saliva to introduce Franny to a new world. Despite his pomposity, he helps Franny get through the rough spots, even turning her into somewhat of a mystery hero and banishing the cruel nurse in one of the funnier parts of the story.
Narrator Julie Marcus does a good job with the voices, although Fleabrain's stridency may grate on some ears. The weaving in of information about the birth and death dates of so many historical figures may put off some younger listeners, but the way the author brings an earlier time and a frightening epidemic to life make this a very good addition to historical fiction for juveniles.
Show Less
LibraryThing member 68papyrus
I chose the audiobook edition for Fleabrain Loves Franny written by Joanne Rocklin and narrated by Julie Marcus. The year is 1952 and ten year old ,Franny Katzenback is learning to cope with the paralysis that was caused by her bout of polio. While at home from school recuperating Franny meets a
Show More
flea with an extensive vocabulary and a bold personality and the two begin a friendship. Although, Fleabrain is exceptionally intelligent his social quotient isn't quite as high and there are some lessons to be learned along the way. I'm glad I chose the audiobook version for this book because I think I would have rated it lower if I was reading it myself. Julie Marcus' Fleabrain voice was just hilarious and helped add to the story which was somewhat slow at times. This book which is targeted to middle grade audiences is well written but a bit disjointed at times with the sections that feature Frannie and Fleabrain together being out in left field. While not a bad book I don't see that it will have a large appeal to its target audience because of some of the thematic elements, such as agape love, Kafka and Nietzsche. Although, the more mature middle grade student might understand the concepts I think the story line drags to much to hold their interest. 3 stars, interesting concept but lackluster execution. Show Less
ISBN
1419710680 / 9781419710681