120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Kia kaha te reo Māori! 💜 Celebrate Māori Language Week with us!

Classic Starts®: Frankenstein

By Mary Shelley and Arthur Pober and Deanna McFadden
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.2 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 1,255 ratings, 61 reviews)
Brief Description
An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Frankenstein, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Mary Shelley's tragic story of a scientist who created a monster is perhaps even more compelling and meaningful today than when it... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3500

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Mary Shelley's tragic story of a scientist who created a monster is perhaps even more compelling and meaningful today than when it was written nearly two centuries ago. From the bits and pieces of dead bodies, and the power of electricity, the brilliant Dr. Victor Frankenstein fashions a new form of life-only to discover, too late, the irreparable damage he has caused.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Frankenstein, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies!

Mary Shelley's tragic story of a scientist who created a monster is perhaps even more compelling and meaningful today than when it was written nearly two centuries ago. From the bits and pieces of dead bodies, and the power of electricity, the brilliant Victor Frankenstein fashions a new form of life—only to discover, too late, the irreparable damage he has caused.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781454942313

Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 12 February 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Union Square Kids

Illustration: 10 b/w illus.

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 160

Collections

Arthur Pober Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Classic Fiction Deanna McFadden Mary Shelley

About the Author

Mary Shelley (1797-1851) was the author of five novels and numerous works of short fiction, and she is best known for Frankenstein. The daughter of feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley was steeped in the progressive ideas of the early 19th-century British Romantic era.

Deanna McFadden is the Executive Publishing Director of Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group. She is the author of several titles in the Classic Starts series, including Classic Starts : Little Women, Classic Starts : Frankenstein, and Classic Starts : Grimm's Fairy Tales. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

Also by Arthur Pober

View all
  • Classic Starts®: Robinson Crusoe
    An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Robinson Crusoe, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Young and impulsive, Robinson Crusoe thinks only of adventure and camaraderie when he runs away to become a sailor. Instead, he finds himself marooned on a deserted island, the sole survivor of a horrible shipwreck....
    By Arthur Pober and Daniel Defoe and Deanna McFadden
    Hardback
    $3500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Classic Starts®: The Odyssey
    Classic Starts®: The Odyssey
    An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of The Odyssey, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Homer's epic tale of the warrior Odysseus's decades-long struggle to return home after the Trojan War is simply and beautifully retold, with all the drama intact. Young readers will thrill at Odysseus's adventures with the...
    By Homer Homer and Arthur Pober and Tania Zamorsky
    Hardback
    $3500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Also by Deanna McFadden

View all
  • Classic Starts®: Robinson Crusoe
    An abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of Robinson Crusoe, part of the bestselling Classic Starts series that has sold more than 8 million copies! Young and impulsive, Robinson Crusoe thinks only of adventure and camaraderie when he runs away to become a sailor. Instead, he finds himself marooned on a deserted island, the sole survivor of a horrible shipwreck....
    By Arthur Pober and Daniel Defoe and Deanna McFadden
    Hardback
    $3500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Also by Mary Shelley

View all
  • Frankenstein
    Obsessed by creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life by electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear. Mary Shelley's chilling gothic tale was conceived when she was only eighteen, living...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $2200
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • Frankenstein: Popular Penguins
    Frankenstein: Popular Penguins by Mary Shelley is a timeless tale of science, ambition, and the consequences of playing God. A fascinating fusion of Gothic horror and early science fiction, this gripping narrative explores the ambitious endeavours of Victor Frankenstein, a young and idealistic scientist fixated on unleashing the secrets of life. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Victor's experiments...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $1500
    Elsewhere:
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein (MinaLima Edition)
    A deluxe illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s horror classic – the first story in a bold new direction for the MinaLima Classics, the best-selling series from the renowned design studio behind the graphics for the Harry Potter film franchise – featuring original full-colour artwork and interactive elements. Frankenstein has terrified and delighted readers since its initial publication in 1818. Victor...
    By Mary Shelley
    Hardback
    $5599
    Elsewhere:
    $6999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein
    A stunning new clothbound edition of Mary Shelley's infamous work of horror fiction. Obsessed by creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life by electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear....
    By Mary Shelley
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • Frankenstein (Painted Editions)
    Frankenstein, the frightening classic tale, is now available in an affordable softcover edition. It features striking hand-painted cover art from Laci Fowler and distinctive interior design elements, making it ideal for classic fiction lovers, readers in high-school or college literature courses, and fans of annual reading challenges and "Required Reading" lists. Beloved by horror fans across the globe, Frankenstein explores...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matilda
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Matilda by Mary Shelley is a compelling and haunting tale of forbidden emotions and tragic destinies. "I gained his secret and we were both lost for ever." This evocative narrative follows the tumultuous life of Matilda, delving into themes of isolation...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein
    A beautiful deluxe gift edition of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece with foiled covers, marbled endpapers, sprayed edges, beautiful paper and finished with a silk ribbon. Navigating the Arctic, the captain of a ship rescues a man wandering near death across the ice caps. How the man got there reveals itself in a story of ambition, murder and revenge. As a...
    By Mary Shelley
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein
    In the age of AI, this classic tale of technology gone wrong is a must-read collectible in this handsome faux-leather hardcover edition. The combination of fantastical elements and scientific exploration makes this Mary Shelley novel one of the first true models of science fiction. Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus pioneered the deeply explored battle between monster and man. Follow three...
    By Mary Shelley
    Hardback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The New Annotated Frankenstein
    "Remarkably, a nineteen-year-old, writing her first novel, penned a tale that combines tragedy, morality, social commentary, and a thoughtful examination of the very nature of knowledge," writes best-selling author Leslie S. Klinger in his foreword to The New Annotated Frankenstein. Despite its undeniable status as one of the most influential works of fiction ever written, Mary Shelley's novel is often...
    By Mary Shelley
    Hardback
    $6699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Monstrous Classics Collection (Boxed Set)
    The timeless, genre-defying classics Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Other Stories, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Raven & Other Writings are now available together in this bone-chilling paperback boxed set. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories, the relationship between a well-respected doctor and a...
    By Bram Stoker and Washington Irving and Mary Shelley and Gaston Leroux and Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson
    Paperback
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein
    One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World' HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘The rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open…’ Victor Frankenstein’s monster is stitched together...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $1099
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Frankenstein: Abridged for Young Readers
    A beloved classic adult novel skilfully abridged to inspire and engage a new generation of middle-grade readers, from a hugely popular bestselling children's author. I, Victor Frankenstein, will explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation... Driven by a boundless ambition to create life itself, young scientist Victor Frankenstein creates his own being from stitched-together...
    By Lucy Strange and Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    New Release
    Ms Rachel: My First Little Library
    Learn about colours, animals, words and numbers with Ms Rachel in this early learning boxset. This little set contains four board books that help introduce children to early concepts. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home, or on the move. And, once you’re done reading (and re-reading), the four books come together to...
    By Ms Rachel
    Board book
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Backorder
    Ships Unknown - Contact Us

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all