Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

Eleven-year-old Aurora Petrequin’s best friend doesn’t talk. And that’s fine by her. She makes enough noise for the two of them. Aurora also bounces, blurts, and rushes in where angels fear to tread. But Frenchie doesn’t mind. They’ve known each other since third grade, when Frenchie and his mom moved in next door to Aurora and her parents.Now their moms are best friends, too. Some people mistake Frenchie’s silence for a lack of understanding, but Aurora knows better. Frenchie’s facial expressions, hand flutters, whistles, and stances communicate as loudly as Aurora’s blurts and proclamations.After three years of having the same teacher as Frenchie, Aurora wonders how they’ll survive in different classrooms for sixth grade. The first few days go well, and for once Aurora has friends who can talk in her.But everything goes wrong when they don’t ride the bus to school on Friday before Labor Day. Frenchie doesn’t make it to class. His disappearance sets off a community-wide search, bringing together people who don’t normally mingle.Will they find Frenchie before it’s too late?What I Loved About This BookConnor weaves together a beautiful story, mostly narrated by Aurora, about neurodiversity and acceptance. Aurora’s supportive family encourages her to be herself, while still helping her to understand social niceties. Frenchie’s mom accepts him unconditionally, and she value’s Aurora’s friendship with her son.Frenchie’s disappearance brings unlikely people together as they learn to appreciate each other’s special talents and endearing quirks. Aurora even learns to appreciate her nemesis, the annoying Darleen Dombroski, who everyone thinks should be her BFF.

I loved this book. Compelling characters I cared about. Writing I wanted to savor, yet a plot that moved me along . . . a non-verbal boy with autism goes missing. Would Aurora find her best friend Frenchie in time? The cherry on the story cake for me . . . the book is set in Maine with Franco-American characters. Author Leslie Connor got it just right and she's moved near the top of my when-this-author-has-a-new-book-out-I-gotta-read-it list.

I am a huge fan of Leslie Connor’s books and have used several titles in the parent/daughter bookclub I run. This book does not disappoint. Another story where the setting is so alive it’s a character of it’s own, characters you love right away and want to see rise above adversity, warmth, humor, and lyrical writing.

This is a beautiful book about friendship and finding your place in the world!

Aurora Pauline Petrequin tells it like it is, she is bouncy and talkative. She lives with her mom and pop, and little brother Cedar in a small town in Maine, in a house she calls the A-frame because it is shaped like the letter. She also has a next-door neighbor and best friend that she's known for three years named Nathan French Livernois (whom everyone calls Frenchie) that doesn't talk at all, at least not in words and loves to watch birds. They're going to start sixth grade soon, but to Aurora's surprise she and Frenchie won't be in the same classroom, wondering how they're going to do without each other.Then one morning during school Frenchie goes missing and the community comes together to search for him.I loved this unique story of two friends who have a special bond; Aurora is a wonderful character that I fell in love with right away, I could relate to her in a lot of ways, like saying I am sorry ten times a day, and messing up a lot. I loved how she wasn't afraid to express her thoughts and feelings, I love how she refused to give up the search for her best friend. I also felt so sympathetic towards her as well, when she was blaming herself for Frenchie's disappearance. I thought Frenchie was a terrific and interesting character too in spite of him being an autistic boy who didn't speak. I don't think I've ever wanted a character to be found more than I did with Frenchie.Wonderful writing and characters; I definitely recommend reading this lovely middle grade book, it is amazing!

I think it is wonderful to see how many new books are being published that help children and young adults to understand neurodiverse perspectives. Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? is just such a book. While Aurora freely speaks her mind, her best friend, Frenchie, doesn't speak. They fit together so well though. Aurora is outgoing and a little intense which Frenchie is autistic. Aurora and Frenchie are good friends, and Aurora has learned to really truly communicate with her autistic friend. This story introduces us to these two endearing, quite lovable characters and tells us the story that brought the whole community together to really see, and perhaps better understand, Frenchie.As a teacher, I think this is an excellent book for the classroom. It lends itself to deeper classroom discussions or kids book clubs. I think it will really help to open the eyes of readers to varied perspectives and be a jumping off point for rich discussions about neurodiversity.Thank you to NetGalley as well as HarperCollins Children's Books & Katherine Tegen Books for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

I liked this. The rural community it portrays is a little idealized, and I have to admit I found the main character to be really, really annoying, but I think MG readers will enjoy it.