Connor, Leslie. Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? Fiction. HarperCollins, 02/2022. 336pp. $21.00. 978-0-06-299936-8. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8.
Aurora talks a mile a minute and Frenchie never speaks, but the two neurodiverse sixth graders are best friends. When Frenchie goes missing, the residents in their small Maine town come together to find him with Aurora taking the lead as she deals with her own guilt about his disappearance. Connor effectively uses small details to bring two complex characters to life, pinpointing what makes them tick without relying on labels or stereotypes to define them. Alternating chapters offer multiple perspectives with Aurora’s first-person and Frankie’s less frequent third-person accounts providing the central thread. Additional voices come from a large cast of supporting characters including neighbors and other community members. Some readers may find it challenging to keep track, but the effort pays off with a strong, heartfelt conclusion that successfully pulls together the different viewpoints. Race is not discussed; both Aurora and Frenchie are presumed to be white. Recommended for strong middle grade readers; themes of community and inclusion make this story a good fit for school book groups.
Jenny Andrus, Independent