Gayle Forman has done it again. Her first middle grade novel takes on the topic of prejudice in many forms: LGBTQ and ethnicity and she does so with grace and quiet thoughtfulness. Bug (aka Beatrice) is starting the summer with radical changes. Her older brother, Danny, needs his own space. He has his own room now and won’t take her to the beach all summer. Her upstairs neighbor, Phillip, has a nephew her age and he will be spending the summer. And Bug is not happy that this stranger. Will be upsetting her summer. Add to that some secrets about her mother and about Frankie. This is the summer Bug learns a lot about life and how cruel it can be.

Frankie & Bug is a big heavy book, exploring big heavy themes, with lots of heart... Written in the voice of a young girl who, although surrounded by much love, sees so much injustice and unfairness. She learns some things can be addressed, others take more time ... Well-written, accurately portraying the times.

I was lucky enough to read an advanced reader’s copy of Frankie and Bug by Gayle Forman. And boy, was it something. I truly did not see this book coming. The charming name and cute cover pulled me in, but the incredible storyline left me reeling a bit. Forman so artfully shares the incredibly complex stories of Frankie and Bug, tackling issues of race, gender, sexuality, hate, family and more. This book is needed in so many ways, but most importantly so students can see themselves in the pages of a book: students grappling with gender and sexuality, students grappling with violence and hate, students grappling with family strife, students grappling with friendships and finding their place in this world. There are a few scenes that may be too difficult for some students to handle, but in the end, the message of strength, of hope and of carrying on shine through.

Get ready to transport yourself back to the 1980s when a very different world was dealing with tolerance and acceptance. Pre-teens knew very little about being gay... AIDS was discovered... and the concept of a transsexual was mostly a new thing. Of course, there has always been homosexuality and the idea of feeling different than those around you, but a 10-year-old had zero if any chance of truly being themselves back then. Frankie and Bug show us what it's like to live that unfamiliar life in a time where you might get murdered for being different just as easily as people died of drug overdoses in the latter part of the decade.

Pegged as a very young adult / middle-grade novel, there is a lot to learn even for adults (like me). Even for a very tolerant person (like me). Even for someone who is 'different' too (like me). I've read a few of Gayle Forman's books in the past and enjoyed them. Recently, a colleague mentioned that (s)he was a cousin of Forman's, and it reminded me I should read more of her books. I saw this one and figured it would be the perfect way to get back on the saddle. What a great way to remember her adorable attention to detail and ability to draw out a reader's emotions.

Unlike her past books (If I Stay), I did not cry at this one... but again, it's emotional at the middle-grade level. It was a different kind of heart-wrenching-tugger. Frankie lives in Ohio, but her father dislikes that she acts and dresses like a boy. Frankie's mother sends her to live with an uncle in California, where even though they are more liberal, it's not a completely safe place. There's even a serial killer called the Midnight Marauder lurking about. Frankie arrives and to everyone else, Frankie is Philip's nephew. Because inside, Frankie has always felt like a boy even though he was born with a female's body. At 10... in the 1980s... this is not an understood thing. Nor is it really spoken about. But Frankie meets Philip's neighbor, Bug, and things suddenly change.

On the flip side in Bug's world, she's going through some stuff too. Her mother works for the mayor and is raising her two kids by herself. Bug has an older brother, Danny, who needs to watch his sister this summer while Mom's working. Normally they go to camp but that's not an option this year. She's half Salvadoran, but some in the town think they're Mexican, and therefore they are often teased. Bug's smart, and she pushes through it, and when Frankie arrives, a whole new view of the world develops. She accept Frankie as a boy, later learns he's technically a girl in their world at that time, and tells everyone else to grow up. Who cares!? Exactly... the best attitude to have. If it doesn't impact you, then let it go. :)

I'm not preaching tho, this is a book review. Truthfully, its a wonderful story with a little bit of sadness, happiness, fear, and confusion. I liked the book a lot. I wished it pushed the envelope a bit further. But it's really important and has an excellent approach to telling the story without speaking from a pulpit. I could see it opening a few readers' eyes to a different perspective. There is substance but not so deep that it stops you from also just enjoying that this is a story about friendship and what it means to support one another. I can't wait to read another Forman book this summer now!

Excellent debut MG novel by Gayle Forman that talks about so many issues: family changes, racism, LGBTQ bias, mystery, and justice. Beatrice, “Bug”, is not happy her brother can’t spend time with her this summer and is forced to be around Frankie, a visiting nephew of Phillip, a family friend from upstairs. As time passes, Bug and Frankie become interested in the Midnight Marauder mystery, and they become friends. As Frankie confides in Bug, Bug finds out Frankie’s dad doesn’t want him wearing pants anymore but dresses like he should be. Bug and her brother work out some of their issues which poses more questions. Bug finds you should judge people for who they are, not what they are. A few other secrets are divulged and Bug realizes “life isn’t always fair and that the most you hope is that it’s just.”

As a fan of Gayle Forman’s book, If I Stay, I was excited to read her debut middle grade novel. I think this would be an interesting addition to my 4th grade classroom library. My first impression upon reading it is that this could be a Newbery contender. Having been to Venice Beach, I enjoyed reading about this setting in the late 80s and the experiences of the characters over the summer. I liked the mystery surrounding Frankie and was curious as to how Bug would accept him. I would like to think today people are more open-minded to those who are different, but unfortunately some things have not changed. Because of the time period, there is also discrimination against gay men and the stigma surrounding AIDS. This book definitely creates awareness and can lead to discussions about prejudice not just against the gay and trans community, but also those of other races and ethnicities. It was an interesting choice to set this book in 1987 as a comparison to see how far or not so far we have come as a society.

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC of this book.

If you're trying to diversify your classroom library, Frankie & Bug checks off quite a few boxes. Bug waits all year for the summer. She can't wait to spend her days with her brother at the beach, so when she finds out this summer isn't going to be the same, she's crushed. Her brother needs some space, and her neighbor's nephew is spending the summer and Frankie & Bug don't exactly click.

There was a lot to like about this book. Set in Venice Beach in 1987, there's a lot going on. Frankie's secret is one that comes as a shock to Bug, as does her neighbor Phillip's. My biggest issue with this book, though, was how the AIDS crisis wound its way into the story. I think it's important history, and helps explain a lot of the discrimination against gay men, in particular. I think in this case, however, it's more than the target audience may need for background information and almost muddies the theme in the book.

As an aside, having to call this book historical fiction, when only set in the 1980's, hurt a little!! =)

Gayle Forman is a force in YA books, which made me super excited to read this one!
This was such a fun and heartwarming read. Bug's summer plans are ruined when he older brother is now old enough to be off with his friends instead of watching Bug. Enter Frankie, the neighbor's nephew who is visiting for the summer. But he doesn't want to visit the beach, he is out to solve a mystery. When Bug joins his investigation they learn a lot more about life, friendships, family, and love. This is a really cute read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!