A review by Theresa of the Children's Room:
If the book Charlotte’s Web is one of your favorites, then you probably have a lot in common with 10-year-old Fanny Katzenback the main character in Joanne Rocklin’s Fleabrain Loves Franny.
This story is set in the
1950’s when the serious disease polio was attacking many children and making
many more very afraid of getting sick. When
introduced Franny is in the hospital recovering from this terrible illness. Not
a simple matter as the polio virus attacks the lungs of the patient making it
difficult for them to breathe and necessary for them to lie inside a “big,
wheezy green iron tube called and iron lung.” Lying in this machine that helped
her breathe meant that she could not hold a book, so the tutor read to her
every day. When Sister Ed the tutor started reading to her from a newly
published book, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, it was love at first listen and
Franny asked to hear it again and again.
Finally well enough to go home and
live outside of the iron lung, Franny started finding some unusual notes from
someone who knew her deepest secrets. Thinking they were written by her sister
Min, she ignored them. But Fleabrain, a very smart flea who was living on tail
of Franny’s dog, persisted and they finally end up meeting and sharing
adventures made possible due to his magic powers. But this is more than just a
magical adventure tale of two friends slightly similar to those in the famous
book, as the author gives the reader access to another period in time and a
chance to meet an incredible girl who overcomes much to regain her place in the
world.
For grades 4-6.
