Frank might seem like a grumpy old man (and to be fair, he is) but delve beneath the surface and there's a bit more to it than that. Maybe it just needs a clever (precocious?) six year old new neighbour called Red to show him that there is still life worth living. After all, Red has his own crosses to bear; his mum and dad no longer live together and he's had to move to a new school, leaving behind his best friend.

God loves a trier and Red really does try hard to chisel away at that tough Frank exterior. The story is told alternately from each main character's point of view and does an excellent job of showing the thoughts and feelings that go through their minds, as well as the joyful and often funny interactions between them.

In the end, as is often the case, the child shows the adults what compassion really is and Red embarks on quite an epic quest for a six year old. I did find Red exceptionally for his age but his personality really makes him a special character. Frank is well-drawn too, as a man who just wants to be left alone, and the minimal supporting characters are just right.

Frank and Red is full of warmth and takes us on a journey from grief, loss and separation to acceptance, friendship and hopefulness via an unlikely, but truly uplifting, intergenerational bond. ( )