Frankenstein Takes the Cake



Last updated Friday, October 11, 2013

Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Date of Publication: 2008
ISBN: 0152062351
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2013

Synopsis: No one ever said it was easy being a monster. Take Frankenstein, for instance: He just wants to marry his undead bride in peace, but his best man, Dracula, is freaking out about the garlic bread. Then there’s the Headless Horseman, who wishes everyone would stop drooling over his delicious pumpkin head. And can someone please tell Edgar Allan Poe to get the door already before the raven completely loses it? Sheesh.

In a wickedly funny follow-up to the bestselling "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich," Adam Rex once again proves that monsters are just like you and me.

Note to readers:
•  This is not a linear story. You may want to skip through and read about the wedding first (pages 4-7 & 29-39). Then go back and read some of the other side stories.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Who is Frankenstein?
•  What do you think this story is about, based on cover?
•  Who is the cake for?
•  Who is on top of the cake?

Vocabulary
•  vicious - mean
•  enbalmed - preserve a dead body
•  hors d'oeuvres - appetizers; little snack foods served before the main dishes of a meal
•  mother-in-law - mother of one's spouse
•  pungent - having a strong, sharp taste or smell
•  vows - a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment spoken by the bride and groom during their wedding
•  symptoms - a characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else
•  transformations - marked changes, as in appearance or character

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How does Frankenstein's bride feel about the wedding? How do her parents feel about the wedding?
•  What is a caterer? Why were they worried about the wedding food?
•  Why were they concerned about Dracula? What kind of food are vampires allergic to?
•  Have you ever been to a wedding? How was is different than Frankenstein's wedding?

Craft ideas:
•  Make Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein heads. Use green or white paper for the face & cut black paper for the hair. (see samples)
•  Read the list of poem titles on the back inside cover. Draw lines like in a comic strip & draw pictures & stories with one of the listed titles.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!