Humorous middle grade 'Freaky Frank' is now out

WOOT! It's here. My humorous middle grade Freaky Frank from MuseItUp Publishing can be purchased here.


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In many ways, Frank Fratello is a typical teen. He plays baseball, hangs out with his friends at the mall and gets in trouble at home. But there’s something very different about this sixth-grader—he can read minds. And reading minds can cause problems. Like when Frank says what someone is thinking before they say it. Or answers a question before they ask it. 

Despite being telepathic, Frank must deal with everyday middle school life, which includes battling a bully who hates him. Nasty Nate and his flunkies live to get others in trouble—especially Frank. 

But Frank and his friends aren’t giving up. There has to be some way to bring Nasty Nate down. They just have to find it.

First reviews: 5 Stars

REVIEW: Freaky Frank is a lot of fun to read, and even more fun to read out loud. My daughter and I read it together and we cracked up the whole time. I'm a fan of the anti-bullying message and Frank's authentic sense of humor. This book led to a lot of conversations in our family about whether we would want Frank's ability to read minds. In the end, we decided we like our thoughts, and the thoughts of others, kept silent.

REVIEW: I really enjoyed Freaky Frank. By trade, I am a middle school teacher, so I totally get the H-u-m-o-r with a capital H. Freaky Frank touches upon different personal and social issues that come up in a kid’s daily life, but with the added twist of mind reading to further complicate things. Freaky Frank takes a humorous look at these issues, and the names of the characters involved, along with all the body humor, give the story added appeal. This is a fun book

Meet Will Moran

When I started writing my newest middle grade, “Will, Middle Name Trouble,” I had already spent lots of time with my character. He had been in my head for awhile, keeping me awake at night or tagging along when I went for my daily run. 

I knew that Will was naughty but that he was also good. He acted out a lot in school because it made kids laugh and he got some attention, something he didn’t get at home. At home, he had to watch his 4-year-old twin sisters at night while his mom cleaned office buildings to pay the bills. His dad had fallen in love with the bottle and took off when Will was 6 and the twins were newborns. 

Will, Middle Name Trouble newest MG

I love when characters make me laugh. This new middle grade – Will, Middle Name Trouble – has me in stitches. And, believe me I needed to be in stitches. My last book contained some brutal stuff and while there is redemption, it was heartbreaking getting there.

And then Will came into my life. Will’s dad walked out when Will was 6. He’s now 10 and the man of the house. He watches his 4-year-old twin sisters while his mom cleans office buildings at night. He cleans and cooks and does the laundry. And despite doing what no 10-year-old should be charged with doing Will survives. He’s clever and funny, and I can’t help but love his silly self.

Two interesting blog posts

Check out this post from Sarah LaPolla on YA: Then vs. Now

AND

this post from Mandy Hubbard YA and MG trends.

Writing contest

Another contest from Mary Kole, associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency on the West Coast. This  contest is for a novel beginning (up to 500 words) of your YA or MG novel. For details, check here: http://kidlit.com/kidlit-contest/