Frankie and Bug is a middle grade novel that deals with a lot of important issues such as acceptance, tolerance and friendship. The story takes place in the 1980's when the LGBTQIA+ community struggled to find acceptance even more than today. Frankie and Bug, forced together for a summer, learn that family isn't just who you are related to, that everyone needs an ally and that sometimes life isn't fair.

Synopsis: Bug is excited for summer vacation and plans to go to the beach with her older brother, Danny, every day. When summer arrives though, Danny wants to be called Daniel, and he's more interested in hanging with his friends than with little sister. Bug is feeling left out, but then learns that her neighbor's nephew, Frankie, is coming to visit for the summer. Their friendship starts out rocky, but as they learn more about each other and start to share some adventures, it grows and summer ends up not being so bad. They face some tough times and learn a few lessons, but with each other and their families by their side, they can get through anything.

This novel is great for middle grade readers, but I found myself learning a lot as an adult reader as well. I loved watching Frankie and Bug grow as they learned more about themselves and the world.

Frankie and Bug is a great middle grade debut by Gayle Forman. I found Bug’s story to be entertaining. When she meets her new friend, Frankie, she learns a lot. It is far from predictable and kept me involved in the tale to keep reading. I liked it.

I am giving Frankie and Bug four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who are between the ages of eight and twelve years old and likes to get into mystery and fun reads. I would love to read more like this one, maybe an update on these characters, by Gayle Forman in the future.

I received a paperback copy of Frankie and Bug from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Forman's first middle-grade book explores important issues in a way that is accessible to young readers. Bug's summer of exploration perfectly illustrates the changes that happen when growing up. Bug's story is relatable and entertaining. The book starts a discussion for young readers about LGBTQ rights. I appreciate how the author introduces these concepts. However, I never warmed up to Bug's narrative voice. The character is supposed to be ten years old and, to me, she read much younger. Yet, even with the narrative issue, Frankie & Bug is an engaging middle-grade novel, and I look forward to reading more from Forman.

Perhaps it was knowing everything these young characters were about to live through, perhaps it was the beautiful, hopeful message at the end of the story or perhaps watching Squid Game last week broke me as a human being but I fully sobbed when I finished this book.

Set in late 1980s Venice Beach, this picture of a young girl's summer as she struggles with her older brother growing away from her, and the arrival of Frankie starts off a summer of discovery for the two friends, with a realistic glimpse of Queer culture that was clearly meticulously researched.

The trans rep in this is so good, Gayle stated that she is a cisgender white woman but talked to, and clearly listened to, people with the lived experience. Bug's family is Salvadoran and this seemed to be well written too, but I can't say for certain as I'm not own voices.

This story is wrapped up perfectly, however I would absolutely read a whole series of Frankie & Bug's summer adventures, they were such vivid, memorable characters that leapt off the page. I absolutely, positively recommend this book.

I got about 70% through this book and DNF. Reading about 40-50 middle grade books a year, I turn to them for a quick turnaround, a satisfying read about challenges, growth, friendship and family... and as a fan of Gayle Forman's YA titles, I thought I knew what I was signing up for but Frankie & Bug couldn't keep my attention. The premise was promising, loved that it had a historical/unique setting (80's in Venice Beach) and a hint of suspense with a serial killer in the background, and yet, I couldn't find the focus to finish this book. Bug was a flat character and felt too young/immature for her actual age. I appreciated that Frankie's gender identity was addressed without being a "plot point" but I would point to other books featuring trans youth to feature in libraries and home collections over this one. And lastly, the voice of the entire book didn't have the solid middle-grade pace, syntax or flow that draws me to this age group. Hopefully others disagree with my experience and find more enjoyment from Frankie & Bug, but this one was a bust for me.

I loved this one! Although the author is a cisgender white woman, it felt like she did a ton of research and really talked and listened to others as she put together this story about a transgender boy and a biracial girl in Venice Beach, CA during the late 1980s. Interestingly, this book takes place in the same time period as another book I just finished reading, the second Aristotle and Dante book. This book definitely tackled many instances of injustice and how marginalized people find their space in this world. While the story begins with Bug as a naive and somewhat bratty kid, I love how she grew in her maturity and understanding of how things were for others, which included her family, even her awful aunt. While this book definitely tackled some serious topics, I felt that it held back a little, probably because of the age of the target audience. In spite of this, I totally appreciated this story as an adult and believe that this book should be in school libraries. This is my third book by this author and I look forward to discovering more books by her.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Gayle Foreman, and Aladdin Publishing for the early copy of "Frankie &Bug" Gayle Foreman's middle grade debut was perfect!!
Beatrice or Bug as she goes by, is so excited as summer is about to begin because to her summer = beach with her brother Danny. Well then Danny decides he is too cool for his sister, wants his alone time, and now wants to go by Daniel. Bug now is told she will be watched by her family's landlord, Phillip. Things change though when Phillip's nephew Frankie comes to town. Frankie is Bug's age and is obsessed with catching the "Midnight Mauder" who is a serial killer on the loose. Bug is not a fan at first, but things change, secrets are revealed, and Bug's views on things change.
I look forward to recommending this book to some of my students!

Bug is super excited about summer. She and her brother, Danny, typically spend most of the summer at the beach while their mom is at work. But this summer, mom drops the bombshell that Daniel will not be babysitting her. Bug will have to go to camp or have someone else watch her. This means no beach.
When her upstairs neighbor announces that his nephew, Frankie, is coming to visit, Bug gets excited in the hopes that he will want to go to the beach with her. Frankie is more concerned about finding the person responsibile for a string of murders locally. Bug is unwillingly drawn into his investigation.
Opinion
This is a fabulous book. I love how these two new friends find their way into each others lives, even if only because of their proximity. The chapters were short but jam packed with the innocence of childhood. If I had this book when I was younger, I would have devoured it in one sitting. I fully expect to see a group of kids at my school sitting and either reading or discussing this book. I loved it!
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Frankie & Bug is a great coming-of-age book. I love how Bug had to rely less and less on others and slowly begins to take care of herself. It's a beautiful story.

Frankie and Bug is a wonderful book about a mystery, growing up, and discovering who you are. I loved this book set in the 80's. This title is an excellent addition to any middle grade library or classroom.

Frankie & Bug is a tender story of friendship and growing up. Bug is a self-focused ten-year-old girl as the story opens on the summer of 1987 in Venice Beach, California. By the end she has learned a lot about friendship and learning to listen and respond to others needs and wants. Bug isn't happy that her older brother Danny (who now wants to be called Daniel) no longer wants to hang out with her. As a result she won't be able to spend most of the summer at the beach the way she did the previous year. In addition to the changes in Danny, the upstairs neighbor's nephew, Frankie is coming to visit for the summer. At first that seems like a good thing, but she and Frankie don't really click at first. An interest in catching a serial killer bring them together but the budding friendship runs into a number of challenges. On top of a fluctuating friendship with Frankie, Bug and her family also run into serious issues regarding her biracial family and the local skinheads as well as homophobia. As Bug struggles to come to terms with the injustice and unfairness around her, she and Frankie find that friendship can develop between those who are different if one takes the time to listen and work through the challenges.

Forman has created two memorable characters in Bug and Frankie. They come from very different backgrounds, enjoy different things, and don't really click at the beginning. Once Bug finds Frankie's secret, her eyes begin to open to the world around her. The setting is superbly presented and I found myself almost living and breathing with the characters. The secondary characters prove to have depth which makes for a more engrossing read. And while the book deals with trans and homophobia as well as racism, the book is mostly about Bug growing up and learning to think about someone other than herself. A wonderful tale of friendship that also makes the reader think about right and wrong, and what it takes to stand up for what you believe. Highly recommended.

Adorable. Took me right back to my childhood in the 80s. A poignant and heartwarming tale with just enough grace in giving voice to many tough issues without being too preachy to kids. I find Forman's writing to be so accessible and thoughtful. Will absolutely be handing this off to the middle grade readers in my life.

These two characters come across so naturally, they could be waiting for the reader on the doorstep and invite them for a day of friendship and fun.

Bug is ten and not exactly happy, since her favorite part of every year is falling flat thanks to her brother, who wants more space from her. Yep, her brother and that hurts. When she accidentally suggests staying at home as the best alternative, she's even less excited to learn she'll be spending time with the neighbor's relative, Frankie, a kid none of them have ever met, and a person, who has their very own reasons why they don't quite fit in. But this isn't the only issue as a serial murderer combs the city, gangs cause issues and more.

Set in the 1980's, this book takes a look at a time before cell phones and internet...allowing the life of Bug and Frankie to evolve in a world, which really centers on the world around them. Bug is a very normal girl, who isn't pleased to learn that her favorite vacation spot has been cancelled because her brother has gotten older (14) and wants his space. From her. This sibling and family dynamic, and that set with just a mother raising two kids, is already a theme in and of itself, but the author adds so much more. Wonderful neighbors and many outside issues give it depth and more than a little food for thought.

The arrival of Frankie, with his/her oddities, and the later forming friendship lay at the heart of this story and show how amazing friendship can be. The theme of acceptance and individuality is very clear as well. But the wholesome messages meld with more troublesome and even dangerous plot lines to create an intriguing tale, which does have the reader more than curious what the end will bring. A serial murderer is on the loose, Bug's mother is working hard on it in the mayor's office, and the local gangs and such also make life more than difficult. That's not even including the gun shot noises Bug hears every now and then. So, this is more than a calm, emotional tale of friendship.

All of this is woven into a very, well-told story. The writing is more than smooth and allows the world to come to life. The characters, especially the neighbor named Phillip, carry wonderful attributes and quirks, which make them hard not to like. Some of the problems pop-up a little out of nowhere in the scenes, but it does keep suspense higher too. I received an ARC and found this very well done

4.5 ⭐️ Bug is used to spending the summers with her brother, Danny, at the beach while their mom is at work. This summer, Daniel needs more space and Bug’s mom decides she needs someone else to spend the summer with. When the neighbor’s nephew comes to visit, it doesn’t turn out to be the summer Bug had planned. Frankie is not exactly who Bug would have picked to spend her summer with. But when they start investigating the Midnight Marauder together, Bug & Frankie begin to appreciate one another’s company. Bug learns a lot from Frankie about what it means to be brave and how it’s important to ask someone what they want before making a decision. Frankie & Bug is an amazing story of friendship, finding yourself, and what it really means to be a family.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

A Salvadoran girl and a transgender boy form a summer friendship while trying to track down a serial killer.

Set in the 1980s against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic (and related spike in homophobia) and a serial killer reminiscent of LA's Night Stalker murders, this middle grade novel had the potential to be heavy and disturbing. But it is the innocent voices of Bug and Frankie and the hopeful worldview of Bug's mom that keep the story buoyant enough for a middle grade audience. Through their encounters with diverse people over the course of the summer, both Bug and Frankie learn things about themselves and about tolerance and compassion for others. This novel will be a strong addition to most middle grade historical fiction collections.

I was absolutely NOT disappointed with Forman's first foray into middle grades literature! Forman keeps up her strong character development, creating main characters who are messy and struggling and learning alongside the reader. Bug has a lot of big feelings that she has to work through in this story, sometimes being an awesome friend or sister -- and sometimes being a very real friend and sister. I loved the inclusion of LGBTQIA issues, and it was clear that Forman centered the voices of her friends, sensitivity readers, and others to ensure that the book captured the voices of different experiences well. This book is about so much -- friendship, found family, LGBTQIA concerns today and in the past, growing up... It's worth a read.

This book is very timely. Bug's summer just might have been ruined if it hadn't been for the arrival of Frankie. She was supposed to go to the beach with her brother Danny, but Danny has said he needs more space this summer. So upon Frankie's arrival, there might be hope though even they are strangers. Frankie and Bug connect over something very serious- there's a serial killer attacking people around the city and they want to help stop him. Along the way, they get to know each other for who they truly are as Frankie reveals very personal information and Bug accepts him for who he is on the inside.

Set in Venice Beach, California in the 1980's, among the backdrop of a very diverse population of people, this book teaches the lessons of acceptance and tolerance and being your true self. I think a lot of my students will really connect to this book and I certainly plan on adding it to my classroom library!

Bug usually loves the summer because she spends it with her older brother, Danny, on Venice Beach. This summer, however, her older brother wants to be called Daniel and not have to hang out with her, so her single mother has to find a solution for Bug. Frankie, an 11 year old boy from Ohio, comes to spend the summer with his uncle, Phillip, who lives in the same building as Bug. As Bug is dealing with feeling betrayed by her brother for pulling away, and resentful that Frankie is here taking away attention from Phillip, she learns about herself and how things are not always what they seem and everyone has problems they are dealing with that you can't always see on the outside.

I enjoyed reading this gentle and sweet novel from Gayle Forman. It takes place in the summer of 1987. Bug lives in Venice Beach with her mom and older brother and has been looking forward to her plans of spending time at the beach with her brother Danny. But Danny is getting older--wanting to spend time lifting on Muscle Beach, wanting to be called "Daniel" -- and, most importantly, wanting some time on his own away from his little sister. So when Frankie, the nephew of neighbor/family friend Philip shows up, it doesn't take long for Frankie and Bug to find a connection. Frankie is trying to solve the case of a serial killer. Together they begin to investigate--and use their investigative skills to examine a few other things in the world around them. I think fans of Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass would like this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a DRC of this title to review. All opinions are my own.

Gayle Forman's debut middle grade novel is a lovely, magical, beautiful thing. Set in the 1980s in Venice, California, this book is a deft nod to growing up, finding yourself, and accepting others.

Bug is convinced her summer is ruined when Mama says that Daniel (who doesn't want to be Danny anymore) wants some space of his own. Which means he doesn't want to have to watch Bug anymore. So now, instead of the beach, she has to stay home with Phillip or Hedvig, their neighbors. But then Bug gets word that Phillip's nephew Frankie is coming to visit.

At first, she thinks is how her summer will redeem itself. But Frankie doesn't want to go to the beach. He is obsessed with the serial killer terrorizing California and decides he is going to hunt for the Midnight Marauder himself. As Bug gets to know Frankie, she realizes that there is more to him than meets the eye. Just like with Phillip. And Daniel. And her mom.

I really liked this book. I would consider this a first purchase type of title for all collections serving middle grade readers.