Before there were horror movies, comic books, or science fiction blockbusters, there was a teenage girl with a wild idea-and a pen.
In the middle of a thunderstorm in 1816, a young woman sat by a flickering candle and asked a question no one had dared ask before: What if science could bring the dead back to life? That question turned into a story, and that story changed the world. It introduced one of the most unforgettable characters in history-and launched an entirely new genre of fiction.
This book tells the incredible true story of how a teenager named Mary created a monster that would live forever. Readers will explore her strange and stormy summer with famous poets, the heartbreak that shaped her imagination, the real-life science that sparked her ideas, and the lasting impact of her book across pop culture-from horror movies to Halloween costumes to comic book heroes.
Perfect for curious kids ages 7 to 12, this story blends science, history, creativity, and courage. It shows how powerful a young person's imagination can be-and how one spooky story from a lightning-lit night is still lighting up minds today.