Levi Pinfold's art is beautiful as always, but I think the story's more enjoyable for folks who responded to childhood bullying very differently than I did. Since most of the plot occurs as an outgrowth of Frank's inability to cope with her bullies, I spent most of the plot feeling irritated and frustrated with Frank instead of charmed and intrigued by the peculiar goings-on surrounding her. ( )

children's middlegrade illustrated fiction (4th-6th grade) - magical realism fantasy spooky story
gorgeously told story about a girl who makes friends with a strange-smelling odd boy who is much more than he seems. Monsters (besides the neighborhood bullies) are also afoot. ( )

Frank is a girl looking for her lost cat and once again (for the hundredth time) finds herself dealing with Nobel and his group of bullies until the day Nick Underbridge comes to her rescue. If Frank's best friend (let alone the whole school) finds out that she has befriended Nick she will never live it down, but Nick's house is filled with music that she can't explain and there is something in the basement that might lead her to her missing cat...

A magical tale with no spells, magic potions or magic tricks beautifully written, that speaks to the power true friendship. ( )

Frank is a girl looking for her lost cat and once again (for the hundredth time) finds herself dealing with Nobel and his group of bullies until the day Nick Underbridge comes to her rescue. If Frank's best friend (let alone the whole school) finds out that she has befriended Nick she will never live it down, but Nick's house is filled with music that she can't explain and there is something in the basement that might lead her to her missing cat...

A magical tale with no spells, magic potions or magic tricks beautifully written, that speaks to the power true friendship. ( )

Different book. Frank, a girl, is bullied. She befriends a boy who is also teased because of his large size and bad smell. Turns out he has a mother who lives in another world. They communicate through this music that is otherwordly. ( )