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ojreads's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I listened to this book and my picking it was entirely random, I saw an author and a narrator that I recognized and said why not! This middle grade read was so fast and easy but our leading characters, ages 10 and 11, have a lot of life to learn and the heart break of reality is shifted from sadness to a sense of adventure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, and Xenophobia
duobond's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Hate crime and Racial slurs
kta's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I could listen to Stockard Channing read the phonebook, thankful the book itself was also enjoyable. Lots of issues to discuss in this book: family secrets, racism, homophobia, transsexuality, immigration, and the holocaust. You would think there wouldn't be time for an actual story with all these underlying issues being woven through the story, but it was artfully accomplished by a varied cast of unique characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, and Death of parent
kindredbooks's review
3.5
I received an e-arc of Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman in exchange for an honest review.
A charming coming-of-age middle grade story about family, friendship, and identity. Bug feels that her life is changing for the worse - starting with this summer as her brother no longer wants to hang out with her at the beach. To make matters worse, her neighbour’s nephew is here to visit and doesn’t seem to want to do things her way either. As Bug learns more about the people around her, she begins to realize that not everyone’s world revolves around her - that there may be bigger issues that others are facing. With Frankie by her side, Bug is off on adventures that may open her eyes to the world and the beauty of the people who have lived alongside her for as long as she can remember.
A charming coming-of-age middle grade story about family, friendship, and identity. Bug feels that her life is changing for the worse - starting with this summer as her brother no longer wants to hang out with her at the beach. To make matters worse, her neighbour’s nephew is here to visit and doesn’t seem to want to do things her way either. As Bug learns more about the people around her, she begins to realize that not everyone’s world revolves around her - that there may be bigger issues that others are facing. With Frankie by her side, Bug is off on adventures that may open her eyes to the world and the beauty of the people who have lived alongside her for as long as she can remember.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Murder
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this to review! I love Gayle Forman's YA stuff, so I was definitely excited to read her entry into middle grade fiction. I'm happy to say this book is definitely a success! A lovely story all about friendship and accepting those that are different than us.
The characters! Honestly, this was absolutely the best thing about this book. Frankie and Bug have such great chemistry on the page, and you get sucked into them and their mystery. At the beginning of the book, Bug is pretty set in her ways. But meeting Frankie allows her to let loose a little, learning that even if things don't got the way you expect, you can still make the best of it.
Set in the 1980s, there's also a lot in here about tolerance and learning to accpet those that are different. Forman really captures the 80s feel, and I think a lot of middle grade readers will enjoy this story. They'll get to learn how much things have changed in the US since then, and maybe how much they haven't. There are a lot of little details in the book that really set the stage and bring the whole community together. I loved reading about this little group in LA, and would love to read more adventures from them!
All in all, this is a great middle grade debut that has mystery, friendship, and a great heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
bookishcb_21's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Emotional and heartbreaking, but this story shows how friendship and acceptance will mend your heart (after reading this book) and be the start for change in the world. Thanks again to NetGalley and Aladdin for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.
**I will add my full review closer to the publication date 😊
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
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