Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet

Frankie Sparks #1

by Megan Frazer Blakemore, Nadja Sarell (Illustrator)

Ivy and Bean meets Aliens in my Pocket in this start to a brand-new chapter book series about Frankie Sparks, a third grader who uses her love for science and math to help her solve problems she comes across in her daily life.

The best thing EVER is happening in Frankie Sparks’s third grade They are getting a class pet! Their teacher, Miss Cupid, tells them they will vote on their pet, but it has to meet some “parameters.” Their pet

1. Fit in aquarium.
2. Cost less than $50.
3. Be easily portable.
4. Be able to be left alone for the weekend.

Frankie thinks that a rat—just like the rats in her beloved Aunt Gina’s lab—would be the perfect fit. But her best friend, Maya, doesn’t think a rat would be great at all. They are kind of gross and not as cool as a hermit crab, which is Maya’s top choice. Using her special workshop, can Frankie find a way to convince her teacher and her best friend that Team Rat is the way to go?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Chapter Books, Stem, Juvenile

144 pages, Hardcover

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

Megan Frazer Blakemore is an author for children and young adults. She lives with her husband and children in Maine. She has worked in both school and public libraries, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in library science at Simmons SLIS.

Reviews

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually kind of surprised I liked this at all. Cutesy, lower grade chapter books aren’t my jam at all, but I really liked a lot of things that Blakemore did with Frankie. I liked that she created a diverse group of characters. I liked that she created a female lead character who is into STEM. I also feel like Frankie was a bit on the spectrum, which I love reading about. I liked how Frankie fixed her fight with Maya. I liked all the research components from beginning to end to show kids how to solve a problem. My favorite part was the back of the book that shows and challenges students to find their own problem and how to work through it. I can see a lot of teachers and librarians doing lessons with this book to teach persuasive arguments and research. Nice job!

[Briel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter loved this story! I appreciated that the science theme wasn’t forced but rather fit seamlessly into the storyline. There were a few words that my daughter needed help with (example: rhododendrons), but other than a few outliers, she read this on her own and comprehended the storyline well. I look for books without the mean girl element and sassy language and this really fit the bill.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story with much to appreciate. The characters have depth are well-drawn, especially for a chapter book of this (relatively short) length. It's great to see a protagonist like Frankie, she is so likable and has many strengths (she's determined, has vision, is remarkably creative and good at engineering things) but also has her share of struggles (such as managing her sometimes strong emotions or reading). I love her friendship with Maya and how they compliment one another so well and draw from the strengths of the other, yet their differences also lead to some challenges. Frankie really, really wants a rodent for a class pet and Maya is afraid of them... Frankie just assumes Maya will back her up and vote for a rodent, but Maya has her own feelings on the matter. I was kind of expecting Maya or Frankie bend in the name of friendship, but I kinda loved that the message of the story is that a true friend will accept your differences and I appreciate that they both ultimately voted for the pet they wanted most, not the one their friend wanted. As long as you are respectful and have a good foundation, you don't have to agree about everything to be friends. We've read three books in the series and I highly recommend them especially if you are looking for STEM-focused books or books featuring diverse characters or strong female protagonists.

[Alina Karapandzich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie is in third grade and she loves science and experimenting and inventing and she is a very inspiring STEM-lovin' girl! A good starter chapter book with some black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout. I love that diversity of the characters (Black, east Asian, Indian). I also love that you learn real science facts throughout. I would definitely recommend this book and the series in general to kids. Probably most appealing to 3rd-4th graders. There are definitely some very good vocabulary words introduced in here too!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re read 12-31-2020 in prep for read aloud to 3rd-5th grade in 3 sessions.
Cute easy chapter book with a maker/stem flavor. Back matter discusses problem scoping and being an inventor.

[Christine Turner]

Texas Bluebonnet List 2020-2021
School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 1 - 4.

The best thing EVER is happening in Frankie Sparks's third grade class: They are getting a class pet! Their teacher, Miss Cupid, tells them they will vote on their pet, but it has to meet some "parameters." Their pet must:

1. Fit in aquarium.
2. Cost less than $50.
3. Be easily portable.
4. Be able to be left alone for the weekend.

Frankie thinks that a rat--just like the rats in her beloved Aunt Gina's lab--would be the perfect fit. But her best friend, Maya, doesn't think a rat would be great at all. They are kind of gross and not as cool as a hermit crab, which is Maya's top choice. Using her special workshop, can Frankie find a way to convince her teacher and her best friend that Team Rat is the way to go?

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good start to a series! This book is about a girl named Frankie Sparks and her experience as her class prepares to get a class pet. The kids are tasked with researching and presenting which pet they want given a few parameters. Frankie really wants a rat, but her best friend really wants a betta fish. There is some drama there and they learn what it means to be friends and that you don't have to agree on everything. It was cute!

[Glenda Woodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was quite an amazing story about a future scientists

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite topic for young students is finding just the right pet, usually requiring personal research in the school library. Dogs and cats, and horses are a favorite pick, but I love the way the author picked more unusual yet understandably likeable pets for this Frankie & Sparks title. Frankie is a captivating character, full of passion but prickly when things don't go her way. This story is about Frankie's class, finding just the right pet for the school classroom. Frankie has a particular love for rodents, but other classmates have different pets in mind. Their teacher gives the class a challenge of researching a favorite pet, and then presenting a convincing talk to the class about why their pet is the best. They must give evidence why, through their research. One of the extra challenges their teacher gives them, is to pick a pet who can survive the weekend at school alone. The fact that Frankie struggles with reading, yet has infinite patience and talent when solving her challenges with new inventions that aren't quite right in their first proto type, will make her intriguing to kids. This story about following your interests, yet knowing you must work with the class is a great one. Kids will be motivated to research and hope their teacher will let them have a class pet too.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Enlightening Story about Frankie

Loved this creative and heartwarming realistic fiction story about Frankie and her friend, Maya. It teaches problem solving skills about friendships and research. What class pet would you get and why?

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Tx Bluebonnet

Not my favorite, but cute

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about navigating friendships and one’s own feelings and frustrations. I love that this is a relatable story for anyone, and yet seamlessly integrates diverse characters and females interested in STEM. Well-written, with expressive illustrations sprinkled throughout.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite early chapter that I've read recently. The characters are well-rounded, and Frankie in particular is lively and lifelike. I loved that her troubles with reading and writing are presented in a way that doesn't diminish her obvious intelligence. She knows what the words mean, but she can still have trouble recognizing them on the page. She isn't a super strong speller, but she takes her time, sounds out the words, and understands that it's okay if she gets it wrong as long as she tried her best. This is so important, and it's not even presented as a major part of the story! It's just a part of her character. The book also has some really great messages about friendship, problem-solving, and being yourself, and the story itself actually feels like a full story and not an introduction to what a plot is. (Not that it's bad for an early chapter book to be an introduction to what a plot is, because those are also really important for developing readers, but they can get really old really fast if you're a grownup who's reading with the kid in question.) Also loved the way STEM concepts are worked into the story as well as explicitly detailed at the end -- great way to give kids the language to describe what they read without heavy-handedly shoving it into the story itself.

Give to kids who love the new Rosie Revere chapter books, kids who are better at math and computers than reading, and parents who are sick and tired of formulaic and-then plots.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great choice for a 3rd / 4th grader to read on their own or as a read aloud to younger kids. I really liked the message that when someone is a true friend you don’t have to agree on everything. You can have different opinions and get into fights, but after the dust settles you come out the other side still best friends.

I will admit that the main character (Frankie) annoyed me a little bit with her ‘My thoughts and my choice is the only one that matters and everyone has to agree with me!’ Attitude. she is not very considerate of others in the beginning. HOWEVER she is only in third grade and she does learn and grow in the end. I think a lot of children will relate to her and her struggles with reading and writing.

I also enjoyed the little tidbits you got to learn about animals. They didn’t feel thrown in or forced and blended well with the story.
Cute illustrations too!

As far as content goes the only thing that comes to mind is Frankie thinks to herself and calls people stupid just because they don’t agree with her and called her out on her attitude.

This is really a good early chapter book, with some great lessons to be learned from it. My daughter will likely read it in the near future and I believe she will really enjoy the story.

.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am delighted to be able to put this series in the hands of my almost third graders. There is so much to love about this book. First, the main character, Frankie Sparks is a wonderful, well rounded character. I love that she has all the big emotions that kids this age experience. It makes her feel real and relatable. Second, the supporting characters are equally lovely. I especially love her mom and her teacher. They react the way I strive to daily with my own kids. Third, I love that along with her big, imperfect emotions, Frankie struggles with reading and writing. That element of her character is dealt with subtly and thoughtfully. For every child out there that struggles with anything at school, but especially those two subjects, they will see themselves in this character. They will see that she struggles but also that she is capable of so much, just like they are. Lastly, and perhaps most obviously, I love the STEM elements to the book. The class project, the thoughtful research, the problem solving. Gosh, this just oozes with creative examples of teaching and learning. A well written, well paced, well crafted story that early elementary school readers will love.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved this!! So many things to love about this - healthy boundaries, STEM, a great friendship story, animal information. I loved Frankie and will definitely read more of her stories. I loved how the adults around her help her sort out some of the emotional moments of the story - frustration, disappointment, anger - in healthy ways. And the friendship fracture here is perfect for the audience - none of the drawn out drama of a middle grade or teen novel or any of the more offensive actions that can take place in a fractured friendship story. The girls here withdraw in their anger and have to find a way back to friendship from their hurt feelings. Perfection. Highly recommend. Would be great for a bedtime or class read aloud.

[DIVISHA MITHAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sanaya Talks Books:

I like Frankie Sparks because she is an inventor. She invents the coolest things. She has a very creative mind. She works hard and never gives up. But sometimes she is a little mean to Lila Jones and Ravi.

I like Frankie Sparks’ books because it teaches me to think wildly and be creative. Frankie invents such nice things which makes me want to invent some designs myself.

I like Frankie and Maya’s friendship. They are very strong as friends and even when they are angry with each other they never get apart.

Mommy Likes:

I came to know about this series through the Texas Bluebonnet Master list. This list comprises of 20 books for students from Grade 3 to Grade 5. At the end of the year students from various schools vote for their favorite books. The first book in this series, ‘Frankie Sparks and the class pet‘ has been nominated for the Bluebonnet award for 2020-21.

Though this series features in the Bluebonnet list which is meant for higher grades, its premise was intriguing enough for us to order the first book in the series. Frankie Sparks is in 3rd grade and likes to invent new things. She considers herself to be the best 3rd grade inventor. The series is a look at her life and problems while she is busy inventing things.

The series has 4 books currently;

Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet
Frankie Sparks and the Talent Show Trick
Frankie Sparks and the Big Sled Challenge
Frankie Sparks and the Lucky Charm
We have read all four and have really liked the character of Frankie Sparks. Though the premise of these books sound like some scientific knowledge would be imparted through Frankie Sparks, these books deal more with the interpersonal problems that kids of these age face. At the age when they are discovering their own self worth and competitiveness, how do they handle working with people who do not probably think the same or have different opinions than theirs.

In the first book, each student in Frankie’s class is asked to nominate an animal for class pet but there are many conditions to it. The problem that Frankie faces is that while she wants a rat for class pet her best friend Maya wants a betta fish. Not having her best friend on her side makes Frankie upset and the story is a peek into how she comes around while also finding a solution to feed the rat (if chosen as class pet) on weekends.

The second book is about Frankie wanting to participate in a talent show as a magician but Maya as her assistant is too nervous to perform. How will Frankie deal with this problem which seems hopeless and doesn’t seem to have a solution?

The third book is about designing a sled using only cardboards and duct tape for a contest where Frankie is supposed to work in a team. Till now all the things Frankie has designed are completely her own, so how will she deal working in a team where people have different ideas?

The fourth book in the series again deals with difference in opinions between Frankie and Maya with regards to leprechauns. In the end Frankie learns an important lesson in experimenting and failing.

Though Frankie Sparks series seems very similar to the Zoey and Sassafras books that we reviewed recently, they are poles apart. Though both feature African-American protagonist and have science at its core, Frankie’s books deal more with interpersonal issues as compared to actual science. (To check my review of Zoey and Sassafras please click here: https://inbetweenbookmarks.wordpress....)

Frankie Sparks as a character is as real to actual children as we can get in fiction. She is not saccharine sweet nor is she a bully. She has her strengths and she has weaknesses. Her strengths are her intelligence, her fierce loyalty to her best friend, and her acceptance of someone’s better ideas as well as her own academic weaknesses.

However, Frankie can at times become utterly selfish due to her ambition, thus forgetting to consider other’s feelings, which could turn her into a mean child. But always at the end of the book Frankie realizes her mistakes and apologizes as well as compensates for her mistake. And for me as a parent that is the best part of the book. Having some ambitions of your own are good but realizing that those ambitions and feelings might hurt someone else and then to amend them, however, while still maintaining your individuality , now that’s a win-win.

The books come with black and white illustrations which are not many. I guess that is because the books are meant for advanced readers and the author would like them to use their imagination. However, when Frankie’s designs are being described, a few illustrations would have helped the kids understand the designing process better thus helping them in their own little projects. That is the only negative that I felt about the book.

Though the books are part of a series they can easily be read as standalone and in any order. The books are almost 100-120 pages but with big fonts, and the overall size of the book is small. An advanced reader might be able to finish the books in an hour. For an inside peek into the books head over to my Instagram page at http://www.instagram.com/inbetweenboo...

Given the varied emotions that this books deal with and many details of Frankie’s designing process of her inventions, the book is suggested for kids of 7.5 yrs and above. Though Sanaya just turned 7 and reads fluently it took my intervention for her to grasp the underlying themes of the books. These books as read-aloud won’t be that effective as much as reading them on their own.

Verdict:

We would definitely recommend this series for kids in higher grade, this book has a lot of possibilities and learnings for the young minds.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you S & S Education and Library Team for this advance copy.
I have enjoyed this author and librarian's middle grade books, and so I am excited that she is moving to a slightly younger audience with this new series. Frankie is a third grader whose teacher is letting the students help select a class pet. She has definite plans for this, but her friend doesn't jump on board with the idea. Will her choice be selected and the friendship survive? I won't say...
It's obvious the author has experience in a school, because classroom situations ring true. I like the focus on the design process, and the Ellie, Engineer books will be good follow-up suggestions for readers.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankie could be a student in my 3rd grade classroom. She works hard, feels her insecurities and appreciates her friends who know her for who she is. She a little self-centered, but not to the point of totally losing her friends.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect mix of friendship, school life, and STEM, to satisfy teachers, parents, and most of all young readers. Added bonus: there is some extension projects at the end of the book.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this emergent reader

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw the Texas Bluebonnet List this year to see a chapter book with a Black girl doing science on the front cover. So I was disappointed to learn that this isn’t an own voices series. Neither the author or the illustrator is a person of color. However, they created a third grade classroom that is diverse, though since no characters are actually described they had to find clever ways to do it. For example, it’s not obvious the ethnicity of classmate Ravi until they meet him outside of school with his mom, who is wearing a sari.

This is a fun chapter book that I think kids will really connect with and enjoy. Frankie is such a great protagonist. She’s smart and determined, she loves science, and she’s got a little bit of an attitude. The main plot is something I think all kids can get excited about: getting a class pet.

The reading level is going to be just a bit of a challenge for the average chapter book reader, introducing new vocabulary and stretching their stamina with few pictures. But the chapters are nice and short, and there are enough familiar words to keep the flow.

The whole time I was reading this I was CONVINCED that Blakemore was probably an elementary teacher, so I chuckled a bit to myself when I found out she was a librarian. It explains a lot, like how this book is structured like a Project Based Learning project, complete with librarian visit and research. Frankie’s school is super idealized, and inner-city kids might not see a lot they recognize (including teacher names like Ms. Cupid and Mrs. Flower). But teachers might like to partner this book with their own PBLs or STEM design challenges to see whether students make connections. The focus on social-emotional learning will also appeal to teachers and librarians.

All in all, a fun, sweet book that I think students will both enjoy and learn from. A must-have addition to the 21st century chapter-book collection. And this is a growing series with four books for kids to enjoy now, and more coming (I think).

[Terry]

Cybils 2019 Early Chapter Book Winner.

There is a lot to love about this story. Diverse, realistic characters and plot, as well as a well-structured story that sneaks in lots of "teaching." The author does an exceptional job not just sharing facts about animals, but uses both Ms. Cupid and the kids to demonstrate research and the scientific process.

Frankie's enthusiasm and energy are infectious, making it easy for readers to see themselves. She is also frustrating - just like real life.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It has a spunky main character who uses the design process (along with research) to solve a problem. Frankie has a fight with her friend that is totally realistic and models ways to reconcile with a friend. Also, I love that this shows what school is really like. So often I read books that take place in school but seem like they are written by someone who hadn’t been to a school in years. This accurately portrayed a typical school day and a typical project a class might have, right down to the school librarian pulling relevant books and curating website resources on the library website. I can’t wait to read more of Frankie’s books!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short chapters with spot illustrations are great for readers ready for moving out of the reader section without being overwhelmed. Realistic kids and situation coupled with some great info about problem solving, research, design, prototyping. It's great to see a realistic kid who is smart and just happens to have difficulty reading. It's just part of who Frankie is and no one makes a big deal about it although her parents comment on how proud they are that she did research on her own, knowing that it's a little challenging.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great elementary (gr 2-4) read. It incorporates science in the story, plus a little follow up of science process at the back. Our protagonist, Frankie Sparks, is quite the inventor, but her current challenge is trying to convince her best friend to pick the type of class pet she wants. She discovers more than information on different animals. Friendship needs problem solving sometimes, too. Chapters are fast moving, and the story never lags. This is a really good pick for the Texas Bluebonnet list 20-21.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featuring an authentic third-grader voice and a robust vocabulary, this realistic beginning chapter book tells an interesting tale. The class must research a pet that will meet the parameters set out by their teacher. Then each one must make a persuasive argument for their choice before a class vote. Frankie Sparks has chosen a rat. She gathers plenty of convincing data. But her best friend researches betta fish. This leads to tension between friends as well as more research! What pet will they get?
F&P reading level Q.

[Jeri Calcote]

Great book about friendship -- being friends with people even though they have different interests and opinions from you. Also, great explanation of the research process for elementary students. Frankie's class is getting a new pet, but they have to research what pet will fit the teacher's requirements. Frankie knows which pet she wants but it doesn't fit one of the requirements. How can she solve that problem and persuade the rest of her class to vote for her. She's also very impatient and her teacher re-directs her energy in a positive manner. Great read!

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the spunky character of Frankie Sparks and am glad this will be a series. Frankie knows what she wants and is determined to get it. Her heart is set on her class getting a rat as a class pet. When her best friend wants a betta fish for the class pet, Frankie has a hard time comprehending how someone can not see that a rat is the perfect class pet. Diverse characters and realistic situations make this a great book for 2nd & 3rd graders.