Scan barcode
vampirerat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Stuff I Iiked: the relatability of Frankie realizing she's queer - cutting the hair off her doll that "wanted to be a boy", admiring the girl get ing the short haircut, throwing up after she sees her crush flirting with a straight boy (mood). I also loved Mr White and Ivneet and the library - very much Buffy vibes. It was cool that Frankie's mum's MS was treated with sensitivity but also realistically and that the wider issues of ableism within capitalism were hinted at.
Stuff I didn't like: The word lesbian was never used in the book, apart from a derogatory version of the word as a homophobic slur. Fair enough if Frankie as a character labels herself gay over lesbian, but for Jacqueline Wilson's first book about a lesbian character I just found it kinda odd for the word to be unspoken. Especially when "lesbian" is still pretty stigmatised and treated as a bad or inappropriate word. If this had come out when I was 14 it definitely wouldn't have done my relationship with the word any favours. I also thought, as other reviews have said, that Frankie lacked introspection in her queer realisation. It very much jumps from: Sammy has a crush on Frankie, Frankie see's herself and Sammy as just friends, Frankie has a crush on Sally, so Frankie is gay. Obviously this could be enough to for Frankie to realise she likes girls and not boys but I do think it's a little over simplified and she doesn't really think about it very much. I also think the ending was very rushed and unsatisfying, not enough was resolved for my liking.
Overall a good book with some likeable characters (Mr White, Bear) and lovely moments especially for a young teen audience I'm sure (I'm 24 for context). But lacked some depth that I know JW is very capable of.
I listened to this in audiobook form :)
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Vomit, Ableism, Alcohol, Classism, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Minor: Addiction and Medical content
A university student (18+) flirts with and dances with Frankie who is 13. This age gap is never addressed. There are multiple mentions of dieting and "healthy eating". Frankie's mum's friend Coral also makes some weird comments about how handsome Frankie's best friend Sammy is. This is brushed over and treated as normal.auteaandtales's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Racism
lucynewman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
anniereads221's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, and Vomit
Minor: Body shaming and Religious bigotry
lms33's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Medical content
effys's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Overall this was a really great story about a teenage girl coming to terms with her sexuality while also having the stress of divorced parents and a mum with a chronic illness. It was a really great story that kept me hooked throughout and I didn’t want to put it down. I feel like the ending fell a bit short but it wasn’t terrible.
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol and Outing
Minor: Drug use and Eating disorder
crystalmethany's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness and Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol and Body shaming
booksandcat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Body shaming and Eating disorder