Love Frankie Explained

Love Frankie
Author:Jacqueline Wilson
Illustrator:Nick Sharratt
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Genre:Children's novel
Publisher:Puffin (first edition, hardback)
Release Date:17 September 2020
Media Type:Print (hardback & paperback) and audiobook
Pages:432
Isbn:0857535897

Love Frankie is a children's novel by English novelist Jacqueline Wilson. The book was published on 17 September 2020, after two delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Love Frankie is Wilson's 111th published work, and the second to feature a gay love story, (the first being Kiss (2007)).[1] In an interview with Lisa Allardice of The Guardian, Wilson stated that Love Frankie is "jam-packed [with issues]: a sick mum, separation, stepfamilies, sibling rivalry, bullying, falling in love". She also stated that she "put her heart and soul into the book", and "felt it was important to include characters from diverse backgrounds in her stories."[2] Love Frankie was originally scheduled for release on 16 April 2020,[3] but due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the release was pushed back to 20 August 2020.[4] [5] The publish date was then delayed for a second time to 17 September 2020.[6]

Premise

The book centers around almost-14-year-old tomboy Frankie, whose mother has multiple sclerosis (MS). Frankie feels she is growing up too quickly, and bullies at school are tormenting her. However, when Frankie begins spending time with Sally, the leader of the bullies, the pair strike up a friendship. Frankie becomes confused when she wonders whether she wants Sally to be her friend or girlfriend.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Jacqueline Wilson: 'I've never really been in any kind of closet'. The Guardian. Allardice. Lisa. 4 April 2020. 20 April 2020. 20 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200420084045/https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/04/jacqueline-wilson-ive-never-really-been-in-any-kind-of-closet. live.
  2. News: Jacqueline Wilson puts 'heart and soul' into first gay heroine. CBBC Newsround. 6 April 2020. 20 April 2020. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109070556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/amp/52179788. live.
  3. News: Jacqueline Wilson: Alfriston author releasing new book next week. Saunderson. Ginny. 7 April 2020. 20 April 2020. Sussex Express.
  4. News: Best-selling children's author Jacqueline Wilson publicly comes out as gay. PinkNews. Powys Maurice. Emma. 4 April 2020. 20 April 2020. 17 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417035137/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/04/04/jacqueline-wilson-comes-out-gay-childrens-author-new-book-love-frankie/. live.
  5. News: Flood. Alison. Jacqueline Wilson reveals publicly that she is gay. 4 April 2020. The Guardian. 20 April 2020. 0261-3077. 20 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200420084047/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/04/jacqueline-wilson-reveals-publicly-she-is-a-lesbian-love-frankie. live.
  6. Web site: Love Frankie (Hardback). Waterstones. 20 September 2020. 9 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200409090437/https://www.waterstones.com/book/love-frankie/jacqueline-wilson/nick-sharratt/9780857535894. live.
  7. Web site: Love Frankie. Pearson Books. 22 April 2020. 3 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200803182346/https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1118296/love-frankie/9780857535894.html. live.