The Fran That Time Forgot (Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist)

From School Library Journal Grade 2-4–Franny K. Stein likes to project a menacing image, so she is mortified when her classmates learn that her middle name is Kissypie. Embarrassed by all the teasing, she invents a time-warp device to travel back and change her birth certificate to read Kaboom. While she is in the past, she tells her infant self, There is nothing worse than being laughed at. Unfortunately, Baby Franny takes the lesson too much to heart. When she decides to take a peek at her future self before returning to her own time, she discovers that Teen Franny is out of control. Determined that no one will ever laugh at her again, the adolescent super villain is out to conquer the world. Can Franny save civilization from herself? The short, deadpan text is just spooky enough for transition readers and the black-and-white cartoon illustrations add to the mock-gothic atmosphere. There is even a subtle message about courage and self-confidence. A great choice for younger readers who demand a scary one.