About This Book
This quirky and humorous middle-grade novel introduces Fovea Munson, a seventh grader whose summer plans are ruined, forcing her to work at her parents' cadaver lab. Already feeling like an outcast due to her family's unusual profession, Fovea's life gets even stranger when three disembodied heads begin talking to her, asking for a mysterious favor. The book cleverly blends a realistic coming-of-age story with fantastical elements, exploring themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and embracing the unexpected. Parents will appreciate its lighthearted approach to potentially sensitive topics like death and medical science, making it an engaging read for children navigating their own identities and social anxieties.
Fovea Munson is nobody's Igor. True, her parents own a cadaver lab where they perform surgeries on dead bodies. And yes, that makes her gross by association, at least according to everyone in seventh grade. And sure, Fovea's stuck working at the lab now that her summer camp plans have fallen through. But she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein's snuffling assistant!
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Fovea feel about her parents' job at the beginning of the book, and how do her feelings change?
2
What does it mean to 'find yourself' or 'embrace the moment,' as the book suggests?
3
How do Fovea's new 'friends' help her understand herself better?
4
If you found talking heads, what would be your first reaction? What kind of favor would you expect them to ask for?
5
The book deals with dead bodies in a unique way. How does it make these potentially scary things funny or interesting?
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