"Despite the serious subject matter -- anorexia and dysfunctional families -- this accomplished first novel sparkles with deliciously wry humor. . . .In a slangy, deadpan narration spiced with acute observations of characters and scenery, Frank brings a fresh, funny and vibrant new voice to YA literature." --Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
"Frank's novel is wonderfully rich and multi-layered; there are no simple reasons nor easy solutions. Young people will be drawn with fascination into the dynamics of the characters." -- School Library Journal
Children's Literature Choice List 1995
Publisher's Weekly Flying Starts: New Stars for Children
New York Public Library Books for the Teenage 1996
"A ninth-grade Manhattanite heroine who stays up all night reading Anna Karenina, bakes great cakes and matchmakes shamelessly for her great uncle deserves to find her own true love. The author transcended the genre to create a high-school romance novel so funny, brainy and sweet that one can only clamor for a sequel. " -- Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 1999
"Pithy observations from a 14-year old narrator and full-blooded characters make this latest from Frank a laugh out loud tale of teen angst." -- Publisher's Weekly
"Pithy observations from a 14-year old narrator and full-blooded characters make this latest from Frank a laugh out loud tale of teen angst." -- Publisher's Weekly
"A classic adolescent girl's dilemma catapults the heroine into the lives of her fellow apartment-building dwellers. This tribute to good-hearted New Yorkers becomes especially poignant in the aftermath of September 11." Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2001
"Frank does more here than spin a quirky read. Through Iris and her neighbors, she gently introduces whopping issues such as single parenthood, low-income living, multiethnicity, physical handicap, racial prejudice, and being a bright, independent girl when that's not always encouraged. More astounding, Frank does all this without moralizing." --The Christian Science Monitor
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
New York is Book Country 24 Karat Reads: Books to Treasure
"Frank does more here than spin a quirky read. Through Iris and her neighbors, she gently introduces whopping issues such as single parenthood, low-income living, multiethnicity, physical handicap, racial prejudice, and being a bright, independent girl when that's not always encouraged. More astounding, Frank does all this without moralizing." --The Christian Science Monitor
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
New York is Book Country 24 Karat Reads: Books to Treasure
"Lucas, 12, visits his dad and step-family in New York City over the Christmas holiday and gets involved with a strange Santa who works for the Annoyance Bureau. He becomes somewhat of an authority on annoyances (he shares a bathroom with a horridly critical stepsister and is at the mercy of an abominable baby-sitter.) He discovers that the agency has, itself, begun to generate annoyances -- the very thing it was designed to control. Will Lucas, with the help of an 'irkostat', survive the most annoying holiday season ever? Readers will have a terrific time finding out as they follow the funny twists in this original and good-humored novel." --School Library Journal
"Dorky haircuts, sadistic stepsisters, department store Muzak, cigars: does indignity know no limits? During Christmas week in Manhattan, 12-year-old Lucas discovers a mysterious stranger charged with the mission of eliminating life's little irritants." Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2002
"A maverick bureaucrat becomes a mentor of sorts for an unhappy lad in this offbeat fantasy. Tongue in cheek to the max". Kirkus
"Dorky haircuts, sadistic stepsisters, department store Muzak, cigars: does indignity know no limits? During Christmas week in Manhattan, 12-year-old Lucas discovers a mysterious stranger charged with the mission of eliminating life's little irritants." Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2002
"A maverick bureaucrat becomes a mentor of sorts for an unhappy lad in this offbeat fantasy. Tongue in cheek to the max". Kirkus
"Punctuated with humor and witty dialogue and filled with all the angst any teen could ever want, this quirky coming-of-age story will confirm Frank's place as a fresh new YA talent."-- Booklist 4/96
"This tale of first love is as interested in the cost as in the gain: Sarah's self-esteem isn't the greatest, and David's flaws are as subtle and realistic as his desirability is understandable. Frank writes freshly about an old topic, keeping everybody's dynamics interesting (fans of the first novel will notice Emily's growth) and smoothly harmonizing the musical theme with the rest of the plot. Readers who like their love stories to be more than just sweet will appreciate this one." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"This tale of first love is as interested in the cost as in the gain: Sarah's self-esteem isn't the greatest, and David's flaws are as subtle and realistic as his desirability is understandable. Frank writes freshly about an old topic, keeping everybody's dynamics interesting (fans of the first novel will notice Emily's growth) and smoothly harmonizing the musical theme with the rest of the plot. Readers who like their love stories to be more than just sweet will appreciate this one." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Frank's tender novel centers on a pair of troubled teens who find themselves, and each other, through music (and through an abandoned duck named Dirk).Talented singer Kira moves to New York City to live with her father, an out-of-luck musician whose wife has left him with their two small boys. While performing with him in the subway, she meets Jake, who has trouble speaking because of a severe stutter, and his eccentric best friend, Eugene. They connect when they come across each other and a duck thrown out in an alley, which Kira agrees to adopt; their relationship strengthens when they join their school's chorus. Frank credibly presents the characters and their problems: through the teens' alternating perspectives, readers learn that Kira's dad drives a cab at night, forcing her to cook and care for her brothers, and Jake's been skipping school and even lies to his parents about seeing a speech therapist. Their chorus teacher encourages them to find their "joyous" selves within and, thanks to some plotting from Eugene plus a mutual love, they begin to do just that. Readers can't help but applaud." Publisher's Weekly
"A stray duck and an enthusiastic music teacher show three middle school kids how to find their own voices and sing in harmony. Kira has a beautiful voice that her unemployed musician father exploits by conning her to sing in the subway with the family ensemble. Humiliated, Kira refuses to sing. Jake is a good student, but cuts classes to avoid the embarrassment of his stutter and well-meaning offers of speech therapy from teachers. Jake and his gregarious, garrulous best friend Eugene get together with Kira when they rescue a stray duck in a snowstorm. But as Kira and Jake become more than friends, Eugene's friendship with Jake may be threatened. All comes together when the three join Ms. Hill's chorus. Here Jake finds his voice, Kira reclaims hers and the natural entertainer in Eugene emerges. In alternating voices, Kira and Jake tell their funny and touching story with Eugene's foghorn voice coming in for the final coda. Readers will thank their lucky stars when they meet this trio." Kirkus
"Deft characterization, an authentic sense of place, and a good mix of serious and funny scenes . . .The author handles the delicate balance between friendship and love with sensitivity and offers a satisfying, realistic conclusion." School Library Journal
"The story has a wide appeal, and the lively narrative voices and fast pacing ensure that readers will keep turning the pages all the way to the satisfying conclusion." VOYA
Bank Street Best Books of the Year
Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Titles
Bank Street Best Books of the Year
Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Titles