"This middle-grade novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952-53. The protagonist is Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness. While recovering from polio, she begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain"-- While recovering from polio, Franny, a young girl of imagination, curiosity, and stubbornness, begins a correspondence with a flea named Fleabrain. The plot contains descriptions of animal experimentation.