Initial coverage includes USA Today, People and Entertainment Weekly. For instance Kirkus calls it “The curious incident of where’d you go, Salinger.” Lots of books get compared to Where’d You Go, Bernadette but this one really does have the same droll sense of humor, a dash of social commentary, and wry, generous wisdom about people and their foibles. It’s entirely through her eyes- funny, goodhearted and anything but a sap-that you come to truly love this ragtag family in all its outrageous eccentricity. Alice ends up becoming Frank’s ad hoc nanny and inadvertent partner in crime. The way the tassel on his fez kept time to his step as he merengued across the playground made me feel almost cheerful.”Īs winning as Frank is, the secret ingredient to this story is the narrator, a young woman sent from her publishing house to assist a reclusive Salinger-esqe author who is writing a second book because she’s broke.

He was wearing a pair of gold elephant-head cufflinks Mimi had given him for Christmas. Hutton suit a seasonally appropriate choice.

The high point of my day was seeing Frank emerge from the chrysalis of his closet to unfurl his sartorial wings.…It was mid-January and just cool enough to make his E.F. You had to give him credit: He might not bathe or wash his face or brush his teeth without prompting, but Frank could put an outfit together. He’s got an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies and those outfits of his lead to some great comedy: I don’t think I’ve loved a batch of characters as much in a long time.įrank’s the easiest: this “difficult” kid gives everything 200%. Great writing, truly funny, acres and acres of heart. In fact, if I were Frank I would probably ask if you knew that “charming” not only means to delight greatly but to “control or achieve something as if my magic.” That’s what this book does-wins you over as if by magic. This debut knocks it out of the park! It’s the hilarious, charming, completely delicious story of 9-year-old Frank Banning, an odd-ball autodidact with a love of old Hollywood movies and a tendency to dress like their debonair heroes. Sit back…and enjoy the show.”īe Frank with Me (9780062413727) by Julia Claiborne Johnson. “Johnson’s magnificently poignant, funny, and wholly original debut goes beyond page-turner status.

“Readers will find themselves captivated.” If you’re unacquainted with this sharply funny feel-good novel about one of the most beguiling young oddballs you’ll ever meet on the page, I envy you you can never read a wonderful book again for the first time.įloor booksellers, Kirkus supplies the best handselling line I’ve ever heard, calling Be Frank with Me “the curious incident of where’d you go, Salinger.” It’s now out in paper where I think it has a good chance of breaking through to the wide audience it deserves. This little book won my and many other readers’ hearts.

Be frank with me book