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Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite
To Be Frankie by Marcus Saieva is a story about a young boy who suffered cognitive impairment after an accident followed by contracting spinal meningitis. As a seventeen-year-old, he manages in a year group for fourteen/fifteen-year-olds. But Frankie has an indomitable spirit and a remarkably positive and encouraging family – including Mom and Dad, Maria and Antonio, older sister Anna and nanny Elaine. He loves fishing and when he acquires a pet pig called My Pig, he soon discovers that My Pig has some unusual talents of his own. But Frankie suffers bullying at the hands of Calvin, Chad and Billy, and when they cruelly abduct My Pig, Frankie falls into despair and illness. Things worsen when My Pig disappears. Then Christmas arrives, and a sequence of surprising events and the quick thinking of Frankie’s friend Katie make all the difference. But how can boy and pig ever be reunited and what will it take to make the bullies repent?
I felt To Be Frankie had a good message about kindness, being yourself, honesty and helping others. A wonderful story then for the older middle grade or younger YA readers at whom it is aimed. Frankie is an inspiring young lad with lovely qualities, who rises above the difficulties and challenges that life presents. I liked the positive and resilient nature of his family, their closeness and love for each other – underpinned by their faith in God and prayer; and this is not over-mentioned but included in a natural and subtle way. With an easy to read style, it is an enjoyable read and could be an ideal book for school projects/discussions about disabilities, inclusion, or bullying. I do like the way the author depicts the bullies’ regret and desire to make amends and, importantly too, Frankie’s willingness to forgive and for relationships to move forward. A warm, positive story with plenty of adventure and humor as well as life lessons.
