Ten-year-old Bug wants to spend her summer going to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the people on the boardwalk. However, Danny wants space and hang out with his own friends and Bug's mom is busy at work. So, Bug gets stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie.
Bug rather hang out with her brother than Frankie, who she doesn't know anything about. As the summer unfolds, they realize they have much more in common than they knew. They find themselves leaning on each other to learn important lessons about themselves and others.
Together they learn what it means to be an ally for others and family can be related to, but they are also people you chose to be around you. And sometimes, life is just unfair but, you have to roll with the punches and try to make it more just.
I thought this was an emotional and heartwarming read. I thought this book was going to be a more kid-friendly book because of the cartoon-ish cover. However, I was surprised that the author talked about LGBT issues, along with a serial killer being on the prowl, and the sense of belonging. But it was an enjoyable novel and I like reading about Frankie and Bug and hope they have more adventures together.
**Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**
About the Book:
Author: Gayle Forman
Pub. Date: October 12, 2021
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 288
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org
In the debut middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman comes a poignant and powerful coming-of-age story that follows a young girl and her new friend as they learn about family, friendship, allyship, and finding your way in a complicated world.
It’s the summer of 1987, and all ten-year-old Bug wants to do is go to the
beach with her older brother and hang out with the locals on the boardwalk. But
Danny wants to be with his own friends, and Bug’s mom is too busy, so Bug is
stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie.
Bug’s not too excited about hanging out with a kid she’s never met, but they
soon find some common ground. And as the summer unfolds, they find themselves
learning some important lessons about each other, and the world.
Like what it means to be your true self and how to be a good ally for others.
That family can be the people you’re related to, but also the people you choose
to have around you. And that even though life isn’t always fair, we can all do
our part to make it more just.
Praise
for The FRANKIE & BUG:
"I knew I would like Frankie and Bug from the moment I started reading it.
What I didn’t know is how much I would end up loving it (a realization that hit
me about halfway through the book, when it took a turn I didn't see coming).
This joyful, occasionally heartbreaking, deeply moving thrill ride through the
80s has it all: a mystery to solve, boy bands, and the tender surprise of new
friendships. I didn’t want it to end.” (R. J. Palacio,
bestselling author of WONDER )
"This wonderful, bighearted book has everything a bored eleven-year-old
could ask for: from ice cream and roller-skating to tabloid murders and family
secrets. After you spend the summer with Frankie and Bug and their colorful
costars, you'll want to go back to Venice Beach every year. Gayle Forman,
please make me another!" (Raphael Simon, a/k/a NYT
Bestelling author Pseudonymous Bosch )
"A beautiful and tender story about the discovery of a powerful
friendship, starring two fantastic kids and one extraordinary family."
(Newbery Award-winning author Rebecca Stead)
* "Through Bug’s innocent perspective, Forman illuminates the pains and
injustices suffered by so many, and readers will avidly watch this young girl
stand up to skinheads and relatives, discovering that “family” are those who
have your back, loving you without conditions, and allowing you to be who you are.
The characterizations, setting, and messaging are genuine and heart-tugging,
making this a must-read." (BOOKLIST, starred
review)
"During a summer of change and big realizations, Bug learns vital and
sometimes painful lessons about the power of embracing her true self and
meeting people where they are. Forman (We Are Inevitable) tenderly
depicts a girl whose understanding—of identity, sexuality, and prejudice—is
rapidly expanding, and whose chosen family provides a safe, loving space in
which to navigate her experiences and learn to show up as an ally." (Publishers Weekly)
"Readers interested in complex emotional development and relationships
will appreciate each character's subtle nuances. Superb
storytelling." (Kirkus Reviews)
About Gayle Forman:
Gayle Forman
is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in
numerous publications, including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan,
and Elle in the US. Gayle Forman’s novel, If I Stay,
was released as a blockbuster movie starring Chloë Grace Moretz in 2014. Her
most recent YA novel is We Are Inevitable. Gayle lives in Brooklyn,
New York with her family.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of FRANKIE & BUG, US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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10/1/2021 |
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10/2/2021 |
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Week Two:
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10/3/2021 |
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10/4/2021 |
Excerpt |
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10/5/2021 |
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10/6/2021 |
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10/9/2021 |
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Week Three:
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10/10/2021 |
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10/11/2021 |
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10/12/2021 |
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10/13/2021 |
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Week Four:
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10/19/2021 |
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10/21/2021 |
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10/22/2021 |
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10/23/2021 |
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Week Five:
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10/24/2021 |
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10/25/2021 |
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10/26/2021 |
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10/27/2021 |
Excerpt |
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10/28/2021 |
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10/29/2021 |
Excerpt |
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10/30/2021 |
IG Post |
Week Six:
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10/31/2021 |
Excerpt |
