I received this book at no cost from the publisher
Frankie & Bug by Gayle FormanISBN: 1534482539
Published by Aladdin on October 12, 2021
Pages: 288
Goodreads
FRANKIE & BUG
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FRANKIE & BUG by Gayle Forman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About the Book:
Title: FRANKIE & BUG
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)
REVIEW
Bug (Beatrice) is really disappointed that her brother won’t spend time with her anymore since he is growing up and developing friends of his own. Danny is now “Daniel” and wants his space. She is convinced her life is ruined and can’t spend time at the beach like normal. In 1987, Venice Beach, Bug is now stuck with her landlady and her upstairs neighbor, Phillip. Things change when Phillip’s nephew, Frankie comes to stay for the summer. Frankie is addicted to following the news about the Midnight Mauder, a serial killer roaming their area. If you know anything about this time in Los Angeles, it was truly the era of fear, with several serial killers on the loose.
When Phillip ends up in the hospital, Frankie and Bug switch their investigation from trying to solve the serial killer to try to find out what happened to Phillip. Things don’t add up and family secrets start to spill out all around them. I still have trouble saying 1987 is now history since I remember that year very clearly when there were serial killers all over LA and racism and homophobia were on full display. The story is so reflective of that time period and these characters all bring it to life.
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.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
| 10/1/2021 | Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers | Review |
| 10/2/2021 | Feed Your Fiction Addiction | Review |
Week Two:
| 10/3/2021 | Nonbinary Knight Reads | Review |
| 10/4/2021 | YA Books Central | Excerpt |
| 10/5/2021 | notinjersey | Review |
| 10/6/2021 | Nerdophiles | Review |
| 10/7/2021 | Emelie’s Books | Review |
| 10/8/2021 | Simply Daniel Radcliffe | Review |
| 10/9/2021 | Phannie the Ginger Bookworm | Review |
Week Three:
| 10/10/2021 | BookHounds YA | Review |
| 10/11/2021 | Kait Plus Books | Review |
| 10/12/2021 | Rajiv’s Reviews | Review |
| 10/13/2021 | Lifestyle of Me | Review |
| 10/14/2021 | coffeebooksandmascara | Review |
| 10/15/2021 | My Fictional Oasis | Review |
| 10/16/2021 | Perusewithcoffee | Review |
Week Four:
| 10/17/2021 | GivernyReads | Review |
| 10/18/2021 | Pagesofyellow | Review |
| 10/19/2021 | Locks, Hooks and Books | Review |
| 10/20/2021 | Little Red Reads | Review |
| 10/21/2021 | @curlygrannylovestoread | Review |
| 10/22/2021 | FyreKatz Blog | Review |
| 10/23/2021 | two points of interest | Review |
Week Five:
| 10/24/2021 | cindysloveofbooks | Review |
| 10/25/2021 | amandainpa | Review |
| 10/26/2021 | Books Are Magic Too | Review |
| 10/27/2021 | Lily Luchesi’s Blog | Excerpt |
| 10/28/2021 | @drewsim12 | Review |
| 10/29/2021 | What A Nerd Girl Says | Excerpt |
| 10/30/2021 | onemused | IG Post |
Week Six:
| 10/31/2021 | @pickagoodbook | Excerpt |
Sounds like a good read.
looks like a fun one
Love the cover
Can’t wait to read it