Be Frank with Me

The characters became more than words - I began to visualise them and their interaction. So much to the book: levels, turnabouts, reveals, depth...it was a pleasure to read. This isn't a quick fluffy story and I loved how the author built the story.

I didn't know quite what to expect from this book. A friend in the book business got an advance copy and raved about it, and the publisher's description sounded interesting, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did; I have truly loved this book! It's one whose language and rhythms, and it's characters and the way they look at the world, will stick with me for a long time. This is a book that leaves very pleasant echoes in your heart and mind. Dive in and enjoy!

This is a "nice" book. Didn't blow my socks off, but kept me entertained. Frank was a great character. The others not so much. Could guess why he was like he was due to the clues from the past that were peppered throughout the book. The ending was so abrupt i turned to the next page, then the next page with nothing on them thinking - is that it?

If this had not been a reading for my book club, I likely would not have completed the reading. Many in my book club absolutely loved it. For me it was a slow read. I am, however, glad that I completed the book as towards the middle I completely fell in love with Frank!

I read this because a good friend raved about it, and we usually have similar interests. This wasn't one of those times. There is nothing wrong with the author's style or composition, and so on. This story just wasn't for me.

First, I loved, loved, loved this book…mostly. The child, Frank, with all his eccentricities, was both charming and heartbreaking. He is the sun the rest of the characters revolve around, and unfortunately, he also overshadows them. Perhaps, the author intended it to be this way. With one wonderful dominating character, the other characters didn’t have to be much for the book to still be highly likable. Johnson went to the trouble of creating interesting backstories for the remaining characters, but she didn’t bother to flesh them out. Alice’s troubled childhood and vague young adulthood, Mimi & Xander’s troubled lives and families, Mr. Vargas’ loneliness, etc. are all touched on but largely ignored in favor of all things Frank. I love all things Frank so the fact that the others were out of focus isn’t a big deal. Some readers may not be as enamored of Frank as I so the lack of focus on the adults may be a problem. It helps if you love classic movies and random facts about all kinds of archaic subjects because Frank holds forth about them throughout most of the book, and in some cases, dresses like them. I do have a few problems with Frank such as where he gets is elaborate wardrobe and why his mother started dressing a young child this way. His weird clothes couldn’t have been entirely of his own choosing in the beginning. Old movies are tame by today’s standards, but still, I’m not so sure some of them that Frank is so fond of are appropriate for a young child as he seems to have been watching them for some years. “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, yes. “Double Indemnity”, not so much. If an 8 year old wants a set of martini glasses for his birthday, just maybe he is watching too many William Powell movies. Also, I don’t understand where he gets his vast knowledge from because, except for the movie trivia, we never see him in the act of acquiring his facts. School, libraries, etc. aren’t his thing, and I don’t think there was a computer lying around the house. However, these are small trifles that take little away from my enjoyment of the book.

In my opinion, the book ended too abruptly, and I find the loose ends the author leaves more disappointing than my questions about Frank. These are difficult to point out without giving too much of the plot away. Alice doesn’t seem the type for a roll in the hay, and her “romance” added nothing to the book. But since it happened, did it have an actual impact on Alice? What of Mimi’s feelings about it? Or the man’s feelings about it? What’s up with Mimi and Mr. Vargas? What’s up with Mimi and Alice? What’s up with Mimi in general? Why did she have Frank? Why exactly is she so reclusive and weird? Were the names of the characters in her new book really a matter of convenience?

I would love to see a sequel. Alice and Frank in New York City would be a hoot while the exploration of Mimi and her emotional healing would provide a counterbalance to the Alice/Frank fluff. Mimi was by far the most interesting adult character and would love to get to know her better. I’m sad to have to say goodbye to both her and Frank.

Quirky and unusual in all the best ways, this book charmed me.
Frank, an odd and headstrong 10 year old, is a complicated character. He frustrates and exhausts the primary adults in his life, but he is so lovable that it is his saving grace.
Bravo!

While it isn't a book I would reread if I ran out of books to read on my Kindle, it is a well written book about a boy who is ahead of his years in his mind set.

The writing is well paced and fluid. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Is Frank autistic? Does it matter? A maddening, out-of-control, eccentric boy, his messed-up mother who is hard to like, an annoying love interest, and a narrator who....is young.
I wanted to like this book more, but every character but Vargas annoyed me.

Having been tagged as "quirky" as a youngster and sent off, along with my brother, to a school for the "gifted" I could relate so closely to Frank it was as though I was 12 again and enjoying the "quirkiness" of the rest of my classmates. I didn't want this book to end. I was Frank with him!

Thought it would be too odd to be believable but it wasn't and it was good to practice loving someone who didn't appear to love back and who would be embarrassing to be seen with - two rather difficult things to do - difficult but not impossible.

It was like a cool glass of water...refreshing and light, but still a glass of water. The writing was easy and the storyline cute and simple with mostly developed characters. (One of which you will grow to love). The moral of the story? To love unconditionally.

I found the book entertaining and loved all the spattering of great words and fun information. Frank's trials and tribulations kept the book moving along and warmed your heart. I liked Johnson's writing style although I thought Frank's intelligence was a little too over played and Alice was a little too under developed. But was refreshing that she did not fall under Cancers spell.

I wanted to read this book because the summary compared it to Where'd You Go Bernadette and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and I think in many ways it delivered. It was a light, sweet, quirky story told from the point of view of a nice woman who lives with an eccentric boy (who probably would be considered someone with Aspergers) and his eccentric mother, who needs to write another best seller to survive. I quickly got into the book and it turned out to be a page turner all the way through because the characters and their relationships to each other were so intriguing, but at the end I kind of felt cheated the way I did when the "Lost" series ended. There were a lot of mysterious character threads running throughout the novel and I kept reading trying to figure out how Johnson was going to bring them all together in the end and then *poof* - the book ends with almost no resolution. The characters are still as much a mystery to me now as they were when I was reading.
So while I was enjoying reading the book tremendously (she is a very talented writer), when I finished I had the distinct sense I just wasted my time. Had Johnson finished the book as strongly as she began, this would have easily been a five star review.

I found the book entertaining and loved all the spattering of great words and fun information. Frank's trials and tribulations kept the book moving along and warmed your heart. I liked Johnson's writing style although I thought Frank's intelligence was a little too over played and Alice was a little too under developed. But was refreshing that she did not fall under Cancers spell.

I wanted to read this book because the summary compared it to Where'd You Go Bernadette and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and I think in many ways it delivered. It was a light, sweet, quirky story told from the point of view of a nice woman who lives with an eccentric boy (who probably would be considered someone with Aspergers) and his eccentric mother, who needs to write another best seller to survive. I quickly got into the book and it turned out to be a page turner all the way through because the characters and their relationships to each other were so intriguing, but at the end I kind of felt cheated the way I did when the "Lost" series ended. There were a lot of mysterious character threads running throughout the novel and I kept reading trying to figure out how Johnson was going to bring them all together in the end and then *poof* - the book ends with almost no resolution. The characters are still as much a mystery to me now as they were when I was reading.
So while I was enjoying reading the book tremendously (she is a very talented writer), when I finished I had the distinct sense I just wasted my time. Had Johnson finished the book as strongly as she began, this would have easily been a five star review.

I really thought I'd like this book because I usually like cutesy, quirky books like Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but for some reason, I just didn't really get into Be Frank With Me. It's the type of book that could be a quick read, but it took me a while to finish because I kept putting it down and forgetting to pick it back up again for a bunch of days. The story just wasn't that interesting to me, and I didn't particularly care about or even like any of the characters. The narrator, Alice, was supposed to be a sort of nanny/maid for a famous writer. She way too curious about the writer's personal life, and I found her to be annoying and even kind of creepy... I definitely wouldn't want her working for me, and I didn't have any sympathy for her. The other characters weren't any better.

I mean, overall, I guess the book was okay... I did end up finishing it eventually, and I didn't HATE it, but it didn't really entertain me or teach me anything or add anything to my life, so...three stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a beautiful portrayal of a child on the autism spectrum and one it was very easy to love. The relationship between Frank and Alice was complex and honest. You could sense her frustrations with him but also the deep love

It was something different to read other than a thriller or family issues. The story started out good but dragged to the end. I actually did not like Frank, found him annoying and his mother was just crazy. I also thought the ending was incomplete. I felt like the author did not know how to end the story. If there is nothing better to read, give it a try.

This is the first book in recent memory that I simply could not force myself to finish. I got to 28% and decided it probably would not get any better. The characters were either one-dimensional or just plain unlikable. The plot never seemed to go anywhere either. Too bad because it started with such promise. Not my cup of tea.

Just thought this book was pointless. It follows a young adult, Alice, who goes to live with a writer who hasn't produced a book in years but due to a financial crisis now is under the gun to produce her next book. Alice takes over the household duties and child care for the writers Autistic son, Frank.

You are constantly reminded that Mimi, the writer, and her son Frank are above average intelligence by specifically being told that Frank has an IQ higher than 99.7 percent of people. Frank is always talking about random facts and using large words; which is supposed to highlight his eccentricities but to me it just came off as the writer of this book trying to prove how smart she is! The character development just wasn't there, I didn't feel attached to the story or care what happened. Overall I just thought this book was a waste of time. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen and it never did...

For a first literary effort, this book is terrific.

Johnson's descriptive writing style is fun to read and addictive. She has the acerbic Mimi describe other California mothers this way: "If you ask me, I think every small town mean girl in America who's pretty but not much else comes out here to die. The ones who smile like lunatics and wear yoga pants all day are the worst. At PTA meetings they're like those chickens that have to wear tiny glasses in poultry barns so they won't peck each other's eyes out."

When it comes to characters and plot, I had some problems, though.

The book is reminiscent of "The Rosie Project," but that story is told in first person by the socially-inept hero, giving readers access to his thought processes.

In this book, Frank is a child observed by the narrator, so he is often a quirky, random element.

The narrator, Alice, is a perky young woman with a kind heart but little self-awareness. The one difficulty in her past was the desertion of her father, and she looks for a substitute for him everywhere, yet she cannot fathom Mimi, whose life was shaped by her brother's tragic life and death as Mimi tries to find a similar substitute or to rewrite her brother's history.

There are few surprises in the book. Generally, whatever Alice believes to be true is erroneous.

This was a difficult book at first. All the characters grated on my nerves, but the book gathered speed and empathy as it went along. I'm glad I read it.

What it's all about...

This was a delightfully fascinating and fun book about a reclusive author and her incredibly quirky irritatingly loveable son...Frank. It's also the story of Alice...who came to live with them so that Frank's mother could actually finish or perhaps start her second book which she needs to finish desperately because she is nearly bankrupt. Frank is a quirky little nine year old who seemingly dresses in costumes of the 1930's...nearly every day of the year. These costumes might include top hats and helmets and topcoats with tails and even more amazing pieces. He has rules...rules such as this. Don't touch Frank but Frank can touch you. Don't touch Frank's things. And...when you are around Frank he talks a lot. And remembers a lot. And that can be incredibly annoying! He has problems at school and with other children...the teacher in me thinks either autism or Asberger's?

My thoughts after reading this book...

I seriously just smiled through much of Frank's antics. I haven't really touched on Alice and she is a main player in this book. The way she deals with Frank is so sweet. She is there to take the pressure off of his mom so that she can write. Frank is seriously a unique nine year old. He really doesn't care about friends or getting along with people. He sort of wants what he wants when he wants it. That's Frank! Decked out, dirty, disheveled!

What I appreciated...

I loved Alice and Frank together. I loved their conversations. Mimi...Frank's mom/reclusive author...was kind of irritating and annoying. Does she have more than one book in her? Xander...yes...there is another character...piano teacher, traveler and the only male influence in Frank's young life. And a male influence in Alice's life, too!

What potential readers might want to know...

This is a quirky book but readers who love quirky should really enjoy this one. Frank steals every scene by being both precocious and irritating! Does Mimi get that second book done? Hmmmmm...

I guess I lost interest in it ... could not force myself to keep going. It is a cute and unusual story but maybe not my type of story. I do better with mysteries, spy stories & comedy. Love stories with southern humor also.

Be Frank With Me is a delightful, fun book- a just-right novel for the snowy day I spent curled up with it.

Alice has been sent by her boss Mr. Vargas at her publishing company to monitor the progress of recluse author M. M. Banning, who must publish a novel to generate an income after having lost nearly everything in a bad investment.

Alice is exactly what the author is looking for - she is not an English major and she is good with kids.

Her skill with children is essential as she is the companion and caregiver to Banning's son, Frank. Frank is like no child Alice has ever met before. He dresses in zuit suits and seersuckers and plaid and has an encyclopedic knowledge of nearly everything. He loves to watch old movies. He does not have any friends his age and school is a trial for him.

Frank is absolutely delightful. Despite the fact that Banning is a bit difficult to work for and to get to know, Alice can't help being taken with Frank.

Athough the question of Frank's parentage is brought up and Alice herself wonders who his father may be, I did not feel this was a driving force in this novel. A synopsis I read stated that Alice's obsession with Frank's parentage was the focus of the book, which I feel is a bit off the mark.

Instead Alice is entirely taken in by this family. And although she wonders at what Xander the piano teacher truly means to Frank and his mother, it is more question of needing to know so that her relationship with Xander can be developed.

Be Frank With Me is a fun book, entertaining from beginning to end.

Oh god… where to start?! I loved everything about this book but it’s the characters which set it apart from anything else I’ve read recently.

MM Banning (Mimi) reeks of Harper Lee – an enigma, famous for her one and only award-winning book written decades ago. Interestingly she’s probably the character we get to know least in this story. She’s aloof, prickly and unpredictable. Readers will occasionally question her mothering skills but there’s no doubt she loves her son. Desperately.

Alice is like a breath of fresh air. Not just for the Banning household but for we readers. She describes herself as fairly plain and practical.

And she’s hilarious. Droll, witty, able to laugh at herself; and with a strong hide she’s the perfect foil to Mimi’s irascibility and just the person to foster but ‘tame’ the perilous Frank.

As for 9yr old Frank, well… he’s a delight. There’s no real diagnosis of his personality quirks, but I suspect he would feature on the autism disorder spectrum.

Ridiculously intelligent (as he keeps reminding Alice and everyone around him) his thirst for knowledge is insatiable. He and Alice counter-balance each other perfectly.

The novel’s written in first person from Alice’s point of view and the prose – predominantly through the dialogue – is beautiful. Johnson manages to eke out great humour, even in the saddest, most poignant scenes.
Of course… all good things must come to an end, but (for a change) I wasn’t left wanting when I turned the last page. Wondering, but not wanting.

Read the full (very gushing) review on my blog: [...]

The premise was ok, editor stays with author to help her with her child and household while she completes writing a novel that she must get published because she needs money. The child is a 8-9 year old boy on the autism spectrum . He wears outfits from past history. He has a very high IQ.He has learned a great deal of information about many different areas.A man, Xander comes and goes in their life. The characters are not likeable. Alice, the editor has no personality here. Mimi, the mom is mean to Alice and ignores her son for hours and hours. Xander comes and goes not caring that the child gets attached to him. The dropping of information by Frank, the child enemy way overboard. Mimi was way too mean to Alice. Alice sleeps with Xander with no buildup or obvious attraction. Frank did not do well in his school setting. Why not provide him the appropriate accommodations with an IEP? The writing rambled on and went off on tangents. Only redeeming qualities: Frank was sometimes a cute kid; the pace was good.

In this delightful book, the narrator, Alice Whitley, is on a mission from Mimi Banning's publisher, to see to it that the reclusive author completes her novel. She camps out at Ms. Banning's Bel Air mansion and sees very little of the author, but is fully-occupied with Mimi's 9-year-old son, Frank.

Frank is one of the most unforgettable characters you'll find, an irrepressible, wordy, eccentric boy, something of a savant, who favors 1930s clothing (the year of this story is 2010), does not get along with any other kids at school, and takes Alice's full time and attention. The first-person narration, told through Alice's exasperations, makes Frank even more vivid. This is also something of a mystery story, as Alice becomes intrigued with Mimi's family history, and especially: who is Frank's father? It's complicated by the appearance of Xander, a good-looking handyman, piano teacher, and sometime resident of the mansion, since Alice (and we) are left wondering who he is, other than a flaky, charming ne'er-do-well who appears and disappears often. With that, and Mimi's uncertain progress on her novel, and Frank's frequent meltdowns, crises and mishaps, the reader is in for a heady mix of mystery, comic mishaps, unexpected twists and some serious emotional turns. The story is fast-moving, well-told in the first person, and the characters -- Mimi, Alice, the publisher Isaac Vargas, Xander, and especially Frank -- are well-drawn and compelling.

Very worthwhile, entertaining, and unforgettable. A splendid first novel from this author. Highly recommend.

Nine year-year-old Frank is different to other kids. Fascinated with old, classic movies he channels his inner Cary Grant and Humprey Bogart, dressing with style and individual flair. He can quote huge chunks of his favourite movies and sees the world through the eyes of a old-style Hollywood director. When Alice comes to stay with Frank and his author mother, Mimi Manning, an unusual friendship forms as they learn to adjust their personalities to suit their living arrangements.

Mimi Manning is a reclusive writer, with a massive bestseller under her belt but has now been given the task of writing another. Herself and Frank have been hidden behind the glass walls off their LA home for years and neither are keen to have a young woman move in with them as the new book is written. Alice struggles to learn their quirkiness and each day brings new challenges. It is not long before she sees Frank's compulsive behaviours for what they are... He is a child who lives in the past. He dresses like a dapper 1950s movie star, accessorizes each outfit with a button hole or cravat, has an array of catch phrases and knows the best places in LA to shop for his vast, eclectic wardrobe. He may not be great with human interaction, but he is utterly charming in his eccentricity.

Alice is charged with watching Frank as Mimi holes herself in her bedroom to write the next great novel. Left to their own devices, there are plenty of hit-and-miss moments between the two. Frank doesn't like to be touched and Alice learns this the hard way. He is also not keen on having his 'stuff' touched, which makes things a bit difficult. However, after some initial teething problems, the unlikely duo settle into a routine. Watching old black and white movies, driving through the streets of LA, attempting some day trips and flicking through some old photo albums. Frank unwraps his life, slowly, through vignettes and snatched details garnered from his mother. Alice relaxes into their quirky routine and their friendship blossoms. If only she could get Mimi to finish her manuscript...

Julia Claiborne Johnson has produced one of the most enchanting books I have ever read. I completely lost myself in Frank's world. He is delightfully weird and wonderful and entirely unforgettable. A child who has virtually no social skills, a brain full of random and insightful facts, the ability to name and re-count hundreds of classic movies and can wear a top hat on public transport. He lights up the pages of the novel and you know that each chapter will have his personality seeping into your soul. Mimi has a touch of the Harper Lee about her, with the One Great Novel being both her saviour and her downfall. Alice is far from Mary Poppins, but she has something special. She accepts Frank for who he is, sees what he needs and more importantly what he doesn't need. A child who is different should not be forced to fit a mould. Frank is special and Alice brings out the best in him. They have mini-adventures, fighting the system and learn to adapt as minimally as they can. Like Christopher Boone, in Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Frank is a boy who will imprint himself on the reader's mind. You will want to slow down the reading, so you won't have to say goodbye. This is a truly spectacular novel, written with simple prose and mighty articulation. Once you enter the gates of Frank's LA home, you will be hooked. There is magic within the pages of this book, moments that will stay with you long after you have reluctantly turned the back cover. Frank will linger for days, weeks, months. He is a monocle-wearing, slicked-haired, mini-gentleman who will charm even the hardest cynic. I miss him desperately.

This is my book of the year. I cannot recommend it enough. A must-read for anyone who loves life, or even for those who need to learn to love life again...

Alice has worked a string of dead-end jobs until she winds up as an assistant for a literary agent, Mr. Vargas. He is impressed with her work at a tech store (think Apple Genius Bar) and takes her under his wing. Eventually Mr. Vargas dispatches Alice to assist with one of his most famous, but reclusive, clients: M.M. "Mimi" Banning. Mimi wrote a famous bestseller book as a young woman and then basically disappeared off the grid. She's recently lost all her money in a Ponzi scheme, however, and she needs an assistant to help with delivery of a new manuscript. Enter Alice. However, when Alice arrives in California, she finds herself mainly acting as caretaker to Mimi's nine-year-old son, Frank: a quirky and unique boy who changes Alice's life.

There's really no way to describe this book. It was an excellent way to round out 2015 - it's a lovely and touching novel. While in theory it describes a bit of time in Alice's life, with most of the story coming from her point of view, the true hero of this story is Frank - amazing, wonderful, funny Frank. Frank would probably be deemed autistic, or at least somewhere on the spectrum, in our society, as he clearly has issues with being touched, interacting with his peers, and many other things. But he's also this amazing, unique, and smart boy - he dresses like a movie star from the '30s, has an endless supply of facts in his brain about everything (but doesn't comprehend sarcasm or humor), loves old films, and has a fierce and deep devotion for his mother -- no matter what she does.

As Alice gets to know Frank, Mimi, and the small cast of characters around them - mainly, Xander, Frank's piano teacher, who flits in and out of his life - she is as drawn to the boy as the rest of us. But can she save Frank (and Mimi) from the harshness of the outside world and their past? It's an interesting thought and one that doesn't lend itself to a typical beginning/middle/end plot. In some ways, not a lot happens in this book (though in some ways, a lot does), but its story is propelled by Johnson's excellent character development and descriptions. Frank, Alice, Mimi, and Xander really come to life in her hands. It's a funny book, a sad book, but a beautiful book. Certainly a worthwhile read. You'll find yourself thinking about these characters long after you turn the last page.

By Melissa Amster

This is one of those books that was recommended to me for a while and I had wanted to read, but had kept putting off. However, I am glad that I finally got around to reading it because it was a great story and I couldn't get enough of it, nor could I stop thinking about it after I had finished.

The story drew me in right away, by referring to an incident that happens later in the book. Then we're taken back to the beginning of the story, where we start getting to know all the characters and their quirks. Alice, the goody-two-shoes, who tries to follow all the rules. Mimi, who doesn't take nonsense from anyone and runs hot and cold. Frank, who doesn't dress or talk like a typical nine year-old, but instantly becomes the heart and soul of the story. Later we meet Xander, who lives by his own set of rules. And then there's Mr. Vargas, who is part of the story even when he's not present, and enhances it even more once he is.

I really liked the way the characters interacted and fed off each other's moods and personalities. The dialogue was entertaining and never got stale. There were enough descriptions to help visualize characters and settings, but not take away from the narrative. Julia Claiborne Johnson also includes enough heart-warming (and some heart-wrenching) moments to make the book memorable without becoming sappy.

The only thing that didn't work so well for me was some of the wording. I'd have to re-read sentences and paragraphs from time to time, just to understand what was really being said. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the story, just made me take a bit longer to read it.

Overall, I definitely recommend Be Frank with Me to anyone who wants something a little different. It's like a cross between The Rosie Project and The Nanny Diaries. There's an element of chick lit, with a little something more.

Movie casting ideas, just in case Hollywood is looking...
Alice: Brie Larson
Mimi: Shirley Henderson
Xander: Josh Lucas
Mr. Vargas: Jonathan Pryce
Frank: Nathan Thomas Williams or Christian Distefano

Julia Claiborne Johnson's debut novel Be Frank With Me is a gem. Fascinating interactions between characters the reader comes to care deeply about. Humorous while still tugging at one's heart, Johnson gives us a glimpse into several different and unique lives.

Frank is definitely the star here. What I found particularly compelling was that he was simply shown as different from what we expect boys his age to be. There is no diagnosis, no making him fit a particular condition other than a boy who has found his own ways of navigating an unusual upbringing. Frankly, who cares what, if any, diagnosis he might receive? Because of this he is shown to be an individual, not a representative for a condition. This is refreshing when so many stories, quite good ones, cause the reader to discern whether the portrayal is "accurate enough" for the clinical presentation of this or that diagnosis.

While Frank is the star, Alice is the perfect counter; she is compassionate and accommodating where Frank is less so of both, though he does, in his way, show both.

I don't like to compare books with other books, they sometimes set up false expectations. So I will say that if you enjoy character driven stories with quirky personalities you will likely enjoy this. The writing is wonderful and is the main reason, even more than the characters themselves, for the desire to keep turning the pages long after bedtime.

“’Frank will be okay, Alice,’ Mr. Vargas said. ‘He’s an odd duck, but brilliant children often are. It may take him a while, but someday he’ll figure out how to live in the world of ordinary mortals.’”

Be Frank With Me is the first novel by American author, Julia Claiborne Johnson. When reclusive author, M.M.Banning (aka Mimi Gillespie) contacts Isaac Vargas, her New York publisher, to ask for help with a new book, he is prepared to bend over backwards to assist. Years ago, her first (and only) book was such a popular bestseller that she went into hiding in California; now, a drastic change in financial circumstances means Mimi needs a publishing success.

Which is why accountancy graduate, Alice Whitely finds herself on Mimi’s Bel Air doorstep, her brief being to do whatever is necessary to allow Mimi to finish her book. When she meets nine-year-old Frank, she is at once fascinated, curious and, quite soon, wondering just what she has let herself in for. Because Frank is different: his encyclopaedic knowledge of the film industry and his movie-character wardrobe ensure that he stands apart, wherever he goes.

Johnson gives her reader a cast of characters who, for all their flaws, are truly appealing: despite his quirks (or perhaps because of them), Frank is instantly likeable; Mimi is prickly and rude, but her obvious love for Frank overrides that in spades; Alice misses the point occasionally, but her heart is in the right place, as is Xander’s, even if reliability is not his forte.

While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, there are also quite a few to choke the reader up, and Johnson explores some age-old issues: how overwhelming guilt can affect the one who bears it; and why society sets such a high value on conformity. And while the plot involves broken glass, explosions and fire, as well as a bit of detective work, there is a heart-warming happy ending. This is a stunning debut novel: poignant, thought-provoking and, above all, very funny.
With thanks to GoodReads for this Giveaway copy to read and review.

This story is narrated by Alice, who is assigned to assist Mimi by Mimi's editor Mr. Vargas. Mimi wrote a huge hit when she was nineteen, and has written nothing since (think Harper Lee). Now financial woes are driving her to write another novel.

When Alice arrives at Mimi's, she finds that she will actually be more of a babysitter to Mimi's son Frank than Mimi's assistant.

Frank...oh, Frank. How do you describe Frank? Well, he's described in the book as a miniature Charlie Chaplin. With the mind of Albert Einstein, he dresses like a 1930s movie star, and evokes in those close to him equal amounts of adoration and terror. He evoked the same emotions in me. I adored Frank, but I also don't really think I would choose to have a Frank in my life. Mimi isn't kidding when she says, "My life was so much easier before I had Frank." Frank who has to have scissors and matches hidden from him. For example, one time he uses a battery and wire to start a fire when Alice can't find matches. Dear Frank, who has outbursts (sometimes violent, but always attention-getting). Frank is a handful, but he is also very endearing. Mimi is a very accommodating mother, letting Frank be Frank. She seems hard and stern, but she has a soft side with Frank. Her love for him is evident.

Alice is doing her best to keep the house running, so Mimi can focus on writing. And she's doing a pretty fine (albeit thankless) job of it until Xander shows up and throws a bit of a hitch into things.

My final word: I really liked this story. It was sweet and touching and quirky, if sad at times. Alice is a fine and reliable narrator for the story, and she has an intuition on how to handle Frank. Mimi is a tough old bird, and she ironically has a lot of walls for someone who lives in a glass house. Frank is "misunderstood". In a Procrustean world that doesn't look kindly on "different", Frank is like a spotlight in a dark room. He stands out and at times he's somewhat glaring and ostentatious. This is a quick, sweet story full of interesting characters and offbeat moments. I will most definitely be recommending this one to my book club!

4 1/2 stars

Loved this story as it developed, though it took me a while to get into it. Others have commented that they found the end disappointing, with some subtexts not neatly wrapped up; that didn't bother me, as it's so true to life. Whether the author intends to write a sequel or not, ending the story as she did leaves plenty of room for that. There could be one about how Alice develops following her stay in California, another on how Frank and Mimi move forward; Xander has issues that would change his life if some healing was to occur.

This is a book about flawed human beings discovering new emotional shades in a challenging time. It's v funny in parts too. As another reviewer commented , it teaches us about love in the real world, where things are not neat and there isn't time to analyze things to death. It won't appeal to everyone, and still has a lot to offer.

The writing is lovely, it's a pleasure to read and what started as a slow read became a page-turner for me. I would love to read any sequelae, or anything else by this author.

Alice Whitley, an ambitious publishing assistant, has just been tasked with her hardest job yet: helping the reclusive best-selling one-hit-wonder M. M. Banning publish the follow-up novel she has been putting-off for decades. Her job description is intense: she must be part housekeeper, part secretary, part babysitter, part chef, and part chauffeur. What that translates to in reality is keeping Frank happy and sane.

Frank is an eccentric child who dresses in costume every day, watches classic films on repeat, is full of random facts, and is prone to fits. He is definitely autistic, though it is not expressly stated, and I think Johnson does a good job describing the condition to those who may not be very familiar with it. M. M. Banning herself is not the simplest person to get along with, as Alice soon realizes. From refusing to remember Alice’s name to being a distant, disinterested parent, to her own furious fits, Banning is a hard woman for Alice to work with. Alice has her work cut out for her.

This book reminded me of the quirky writing style of Maria Semple a-la Where’d You Go, Bernadette. The characters were interesting and made me want to read more about them. The story line was simple, but as a character-driven novel, it was still intriguing. While I enjoyed the book for the most part, I found it excessively cheesy at times and wasn’t a big fan of the characters at different parts of my read. It would probably make a great book club choice, though, and all-in-all, I’m left with mostly positive feelings about my read.

I enjoyed this novel immensely. Frank was such a character, complex and quirky and fun. I loved spending time with this family unit and the day to day happenings of their lives. Alice was my second favorite character next to Frank. She's the relatable character that you can identify with and keeps things grounded. I loved the juxtaposition of the norm and the unusual and by the end of the story, your idea of "normal" changes rapidly. I liked the way the relationship was handled. It was great to see a woman not ruined by a man in her life leaving. It was a fun read, BUT I didn't like the ending. After the investing of time and affection towards these characters, the ending felt too abrupt. I would've liked more of a "A Few years later" epilogue. Probably because saying Goodbye to Frank so quickly and cuttingly felt wrong. A phased out ending would have left me feeling 5 Star satisfied. I understand that she was trying to convey the quick ending as how people come in and out of our lives and how we'll be okay, etc etc. I just don't think what she attempted to do didn't satiate me.

What a wonderful, unusual book by Julia Johnson. The title could be it's all about Frank as he is the main character in the book and an unusual character he is. After all he is smarter than 99.7 percent of the people - and he shows it. The other characters are characters also. The only one that seems to be without very unusual behaviors and activities is Alice, the person sent to help the family so Frank's mother could write her novel. This is a read you will not want to miss.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"

I get that this is a funny novel--I laughed out loud many times, and loved that about it. But I thought it was so heartbreaking in a few places that I was glad I wasn't reading it in public. What I appreciate most about it, I think, is that you get the sense that things will work out for Frank someday. Hope, that's all anybody can ask for in life, and in fiction, right? (Also, let me to say this to the reviewers who've taken issue with the representation of Frank, who is probably autistic, for not being a realistic representation of somebody who's on the spectrum: As they say, when you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. Everybody's different. Saying Frank isn't like any real autistic person they've every met is like saying Madame Bovary isn't like any Frenchwoman they know. Not that this novel is any Madame Bovary, but you get my drift.)

Reclusive author M.M. Banning, Mimi to her friends, values her privacy. Years ago, she wrote a novel that became a literary phenomenon. She reaped the financial rewards of the novel and lived a life of blissful anonymity. But all of that changed when Mimi found herself the victim of a Bernie Madoff style scheme. In order to climb out of the massive financial hole that she finds herself in, Mimi will try to make lightning strike again. She has to write a new novel, and she has to do it fast!

Banning's publisher is excited to learn of the author's plans. After publishing her first book all those years ago, they'e been waiting not so patiently in the wings for a new one. Naturally, they aren't taking any chances with this sophomore effort. They'll do anything in their power to ensure the next M.M. Banning novel arrives without a hitch. Twenty four-year-old Alice, a publishing assistant, has been assigned the unenviable task of living with the novelist to make sure the new work comes to fruition.

When Alice arrives at the secretive Banning estate, she is greeted with hostility by the reclusive author who does not appreciate a new person invading her life. Alice is also surprised to learn that Mimi is the mother to a young child, Frank. Frank is a peculiar character in his own right. Everything about the boy seems to be inspired by a bygone era. He is dressed in a suit and speaks as if he's been transplanted from a scene in Casablanca. As Alice begins her residence with the Bannings, she must learns to cope with their eccentricities and become part of Mimi's daunting effort to save her family in the only way she knows how.

From start to finish, Be Frank With Me is an absolute delight. The story takes a classic fish out of water scenario and evolves it into a sometimes comedic, sometimes tragic, but always engrossing character study. As I read, I couldn't help but draw comparisons between the fictional Mimi and Harper Lee. While I hesitate to say Claiborne Johnson was inspired by the real life solitude of Lee, it is hard not to see the similarities. Still, it is Frank who truly captured my imagination in this one. As he reveals himself to Alice, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. His childhood innocence is slowly eroding away as he realizes that he does not fit into the world outside of the one his mother created for him. In the end, Be Frank With Me is a charming novel that questions the expectations that society places on itself.

This novel was brilliant! The writing is smart and witty, and the characters are interesting and flawed in ways we can all relate to and understand. The author does an amazing job of making you feel one way about a character and then changing your mind about that person with a subtle hint or smack-in-the-face revelation. As the aunt of a wonderful boy with autism, I can tell you that the depiction of Frank in this novel as a child who is 'different' is spot-on. Beautiful story that doesn't end in a happily ever after, yet leaves the reader satisfied. I highly recommend this novel.

Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson is a very highly recommended novel about a reclusive writer, her exceptional son, and the assistant sent to help her.

After writing a beloved award winning novel decades ago at age 19, M. M. “Mimi” Banning is a recluse who never published another word. Now, after losing all her money, she has to write another book. She contacts her editor, Isaac Vargas, and says she will write a new book, but has two stipulations. First, she wants a large advance. Second the assistant who will be sent at the publisher's expense to ensure she meets her deadline must be able to drive, cook, clean, be sane, not an English major or Ivy Leaguer, and be good with kids.

Vargas sends Alice Whitley, a 24 year old accounting major from Nebraska. Alice has been working as an assistant to Mr. Vargas and he thinks she is the perfect candidate to keep an eye on acerbic Mimi and take care of her son, Frank. Once Alice arrives, Mimi insists on calling her Penny, because she "looks like a Penny," and Mimi locks herself in her den to write. Alice becomes the care taker for nine year old Frank.

Frank has a couple rules, starting with don't touch his things and don't touch him without permission. Clearly he is an intelligent boy with some form of Autism. He enjoys dressing in complete outfits, usually based on movies from the 1930's. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of older movies and a photographic memory for all manner of facts. Frank is partly charming and partly challenging. Life isn't easy for this displaced nine year old who requires constant supervision, rarely sleeps, and meets regularly with his psychiatrist. There are many items that Alice must keep from Frank, like scissors and matches, while she must also accept the fact that he will go through her things and is light fingered.

Alice becomes increasingly curious about Frank. Who is his father? How does the mysterious piano teacher Xander fit into the picture? And is Mimi really writing her novel behind that door?

Johnson delivers a wonderful debut novel with Be Frank with Me. The narrative will fully engage you. It's funny, poignant, and a satisfying story that will have you racing to see what happens next. The writing is pitch perfect as Johnson captures precocious Frank and matter-of-fact Alice. I finished Be Frank with Me in one sitting, which signifies Johnson's ability to write a novel that will hold and keep your attention.

While on the surface Be Frank with Me seems like a light-hearted, fun read, but there is much more to this novel should you care to ponder it. Johnson provides some real depth in her characters. They are all unique individuals with a backstory and well developed. I did question why the school wasn't helping Frank more or offering supportive services when he'd clearly qualify for some support, but I was willing to suspend my questions about this.

Alice Whitley has been tasked by her publisher boss to do whatever eccentric author M.M. Banning needs of her while she finishes writing her long-awaited second novel. Alice, a virtual babe in the woods, finds herself in California running the author’s household, cooking, cleaning and taking care of Frank, the author’s nine-year-old son while Mom retreats to her office to write.
Frank is quirky, smart, fragile and oh so lovable. He doesn’t dress, he costumes. Today he might be Peter Pan, tomorrow Oliver Twist. His world view is taken mostly from vintage movies. He does not understand jokes or joking or irony. Where he goes, accidents and injuries usually follow. He has a cadre of adults who love him, but no childhood friends. He is a treasure: charming, frustrating, loving, and sharp as the tacks he so loves.
Johnson has created a delightful character in Frank. He had much maturing to do, but we know he will never really fit in, and that’s good news. Why should he? This child, who is sometimes the only adult in the room, has captured my heart.
I love this book. I want a sequel, even though it probably is not practical. I also would like to see this as a movie but would worry about being disappointed as we so often are with the movies our favorite reads turn out to be. This book deserves to be read and reread. Please do!

Mimi Banning is a reclusive Hollywood Hills author who has lost all her money in a ponzi scheme. As a result she is now feeling the pressure to finish another book by her deadline. To help her meet this deadline the publishing house sends Mimi an assistant named Alice Whitley who was previously working at the Genius Bar at Apple. Alice is unclear on what exactly her role will be but, she seems to fit Mimi's criteria: [No Ivy leaguers or English Majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, insane.]

When Alice arrives at the Banning mansion she is quickly introduced to Frank, Mimi's nine year old son. Frank has a photographic memory and is quirky and set in his ways. He has nothing in common with the other fourth graders in his class. He and Alice develop a unique relationship as Alice's job turns out to be as a full-time companion for Frank.

There is not a lot that happens in this story but, it's the relationship between Alice and Frank that makes this novel special. The story is told by Alice and is dialogue driven.

Frank is a terrific character, he loves to dress in top hats and cuff links and old fashion styled garb. It's easy to see why he and most other nine year olds wouldn't have a lot in common. One can assume he has some autism related diagnosis but, we never learn exactly what that is.

Julia and Frank will make you laugh and maybe even shed a tear as you get to know them. Readers who like eccentric and lovable characters should give this novel a try.

As a debut novel, Ms. Johnson has knocked one out of the park! I can't remember the last time I was so captivated by a book. I laughed, I cried, I read out loud to anyone within earshot, constantly saying, " Listen to this!". What a wonderful treat this book is.

Literary legend and recluse, MiMi Banning has only written one book, but it was a hugely successful one. And now she has to write another after becoming the victim of a Madoff type Ponzi scheme. She needs help and is very specific about what and who she wants. Picture a Housekeeper/Nanny/Driver/Assistant rolled into one quiet and discreet bundle. And this is where we meet Alice. Sent by the publisher to oversee Ms. Banning and her household.

As soon as Alice arrives, she is put to work as a companion to the author's son, Frank, age 9 ( going on 40 ). Frank is a font of information on any and all subjects and lives by his own set of rules. He dresses like an actor from the 1930's and has an outfit for every imaginable circumstance.
He has a razor sharp wit and nothing in common with his peers.

As MiMi shuts herself in her office to write, Alice is left to see to everything else. As she and Frank get to know each other, they develop a special bond that at times had me in tears and on the next page in stitches.

Each character is so well developed it would be hard not to love all of them as flawed as some were. I didn't want the book to end!

I read a lot of books and it isn't often that I come across one that just makes you smile just looking at it! This is one of those unforgettable stories that made me a reader and a book I will proudly keep on my shelves.

When reading the summary for this book, it mentioned Eloise, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Where'd You Go, Bernadette; the latter two are novels I really enjoyed while the former is one I've never actually read so I felt confident taking a chance on this. As in the books I read, there is an extremely precocious child who doesn't quite fit in with his peers.

That child is named Frank and this story is told when Alice is sent to help his mother Mimi in any way she needs in order to give her the space to deliver her much anticipated second novel after the unbelievable To Kill a Mockingbird-esque success of her debut. Frank surprises Alice in every way and changes her life forever as does his mother and the mysterious roaming Xander.

I think this book will really hinge on your feelings about Frank because he is the one whose presence dominates. He is the kind of child I love to read about so this was not an issue for me but I can see him not being for everyone. He's what they call quite a character with a distinctive fashion style and manner of speech. Another bonus is his love for classic movies like Sunset Boulevard and Casablanca. Meanwhile Alice is likable enough as she stands in for the reader in taking in all of the details around Frank and Mimi but she's more of a blank slate for Frank to shine against.

I also liked the mysteries incorporated in to the book and they way information was doled out. I knew I would have to keep reading to find out all the answers and I was well-rewarded by the end!

I did enjoy this book, however, as a parent of a child with Asperger's Syndrome I think the story would be more believable if set in the 1980's or 1990's instead of the 2000's. Asperger's Syndrome became widely known and addressed after 2000, and by 2010 Frank's condition would have been immediately recognizable by any educational institution and treatment options would be available to help him adjust and feel a deeper sense of belonging, a theme that runs through the whole book. I was deeply touched learning the fate of Julian, who struggled at a time when high functioning autism was unknown.
That being said, the book is very well written, the dialog is excellent, and the humor adds a light touch to a difficult subject. I agree with previous reviews about the book's lack of resolution. It just stops, and leaves us wondering about the future of characters we've grown to care about.
In summary, while not one of the best books I've read, this was an enjoyable read.

In her debut novel, BE FRANK WITH ME (William Morrow), Julia Claiborne Johnson introduces us to some of the most interesting, quirky characters I’ve ever met, and the privileged world of California few of us have ever experienced, nor will ever forget.

Legendary writer M.M. “Mimi” Banning hasn’t written a word for decades – since winning the Pulitzer and National Book Award at age 20. She’s spent 9 years hiding in a mansion up in Bel Air protected by walls topped with barbed wire to keep away her fans, who have slowly dwindled over the years. The piece of work she has managed to produce since then is her son, Frank. He’s a genius fourth-grader who speaks using words most people would have to look up in the dictionary and dresses in smart 1930s garb straight out of 30s and 40s movies, like 3-piece suits, bow ties, wingtips and uses facts about the movie business as armor. But after losing her fortune, to a Madoff-style Ponzi scheme, she must write a new book ASAP.

Mimi’s New York editor sends Alice Whitley to L.A. to make sure Mimi is working on that book. He needs eyes on site and its Alice’s job to keep Mini focused and in front of her typewriter. But Mimi doesn’t want Alice’s help, and Alice instead finds herself tasked with being Frank’s companion. Alice is captivated and frustrated by Frank’s eccentricities and can’t help but be curious about the identity of the boy’s father—and how a handsome, flirty piano teacher fits into the cloistered family’s life. Meanwhile, Alice gently urges the frequently unpleasant Mimi to please, please finish her book.

BE FRANK WITH ME is about being an outsider and the ways our differences help us see the world in new ways. Like Frank, this quirky story has a really big, beautiful, heart. It’s a story you won’t soon forget

I thought Frank was wonderful once you got to know him and his quirks. I received an ARC for an honest review from Harper Collins. Frank dresses like old movie film stars with suits, top hats and monocle is not your ordinary 9 year old, he is a genius that is teased at school and not understood by many. He knows a lot of about many subjects and facts in general, but doesn't get simply humor. His mother is the reclusive literary author M. M. Banning who lives in the Hollywood Hills, who must write another book after losing her fortune in a ponzy scheme. The publisher sends Alice a new hiree with no training to assist the author with transcription, but Alice ends up being the second mother, friend and confidante to Frank. Alice becomes consumed in finding out who is Frank's father and learns more about M. M. Banning's family life and family tragedy. It appears that Frank has inherited some traits through genetics from his mother's side that explains his behavior as well as traits from his father who he has never met. There is a family friend, Xander, who takes up residence at the house to fix things when needed as he comes and goes. Alice has a romance with Xander and becomes consumed with the relationship between Xander and M. M. Banning and Frank. The cast of characters where all kind of crazy in their own way, but Frank is definitely the star. People point, stare and shy away from folks who are different or ask rude questions in this case about Frank. In this book, we got to know Frank and would defend and champion his eccentric ways.

I borrowed this book from my library through Overdrive & the store. I didn’t want to finish it, but I didn’t want to stop reading this delightful book. The author described it perfectly: Hillarious and Heartbreaking. Frank reminded me at times of Sheldon Cooper in the TV show Big Bang Theory with his intelligence, dry humor and mannerisms. One reviewer wrote that Alice was boring. I beg to differ! She is the basis for the book’s success! Each character (and I liked it because there weren’t a gazillion to keep up with) had a role in the book to make it one of the best, albeit different, books I have read lately.

Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for your heartwarming, yet at the same time heart-wrenching novel. This book was well written, grammatically perfect and a delightful, quick read with a vocabulary that heartened me. I could not put it down.

The story revolves around Frank, the genius son of a reclusive writer. Somewhere on the autism spectrum, Frank is a very atypical 9 year old boy, who loves old movies, dressing the part of many of these movies and conveying his knowledge about almost everything. At the same time, he suffers irrationally when someone touches him or his things.

Alice is hired to be a personal assistant to the writer-mother (Mimi), but her job revolves around taking care of Frank and being the helper, maid, etc. for the small family, though Mimi wants nothing to do with her. As the story unfolds, there is an unusual cast of interesting characters and the story keeps changing as it moves quickly toward the conclusion.

I read many ostensibly good books, but this is truly one of the best I have read in a long time.

Here are some words you'll likely hear used to describe, "Be Frank With Me", by Julia Claiborne Johnson:
- delightful
- poignant
- quirky
- insightful
- memorable

Alice comes to LA to help Mimi, a reclusive best-selling author, as she writes her second novel. Part of the "help" involves Mimi's nine-year-old son, Frank. Frank dresses like classic movie heroes and can be called "eccentric", and he can also be described as "autistic", but whichever way you chose, he is also very lovable, amusing, and heartbreaking.

The story is a fast-paced and easy read. The various characters are not always likeable (like in real life) but they are memorable. I'm deducting a star for a rather unsatisfying ending...maybe she plans a sequel?

Oh god… where to start?! I loved everything about this book but it’s the characters which set it apart from anything else I’ve read recently.

MM Banning (Mimi) reeks of Harper Lee – an enigma, famous for her one and only award-winning book written decades ago. Interestingly she’s probably the character we get to know least in this story. She’s aloof, prickly and unpredictable. Readers will occasionally question her mothering skills but there’s no doubt she loves her son. Desperately.

Alice is like a breath of fresh air. Not just for the Banning household but for we readers. She describes herself as fairly plain and practical.

And she’s hilarious. Droll, witty, able to laugh at herself; and with a strong hide she’s the perfect foil to Mimi’s irascibility and just the person to foster but ‘tame’ the perilous Frank.

As for 9yr old Frank, well… he’s a delight. There’s no real diagnosis of his personality quirks, but I suspect he would feature on the autism disorder spectrum.

Ridiculously intelligent (as he keeps reminding Alice and everyone around him) his thirst for knowledge is insatiable. He and Alice counter-balance each other perfectly.

The novel’s written in first person from Alice’s point of view and the prose – predominantly through the dialogue – is beautiful. Johnson manages to eke out great humour, even in the saddest, most poignant scenes.
Of course… all good things must come to an end, but (for a change) I wasn’t left wanting when I turned the last page. Wondering, but not wanting.

Read the full (very gushing) review on my blog: [...]

When reclusive bestselling author M.M. (Mimi) Banning loses all of her money, she must produce another book, and quickly. Her editor sends Alice to be her assistant- to do whatever Mimi needs help with, until the book is finished. What Mimi needs help with is her 9 year old son, Frank. Frank is eccentric to say the least. He dresses in formal clothes of years ago-as if he were Oliver Twist, knows frightening amounts of trivia and can't do math, or of course, fit in with his classmates. Mimi is difficult too. While she is desperately in need of Alice's help, she is resentful that she needs help at all, and lashes out at Alice when frustrated, which happens often.

This book was utterly absorbing- I couldn't put it down. The characters seemed alive and were completely intriguing and believable. The plot was tightly drawn and the book was full of surprising revelations. I loved it and was sorry when it ended. I can't recommend this one enough- buy it!

A author writes a best seller, turns reclusive, and doesn't write again. Until her fortune is gone due to an investment scam, she never planned on writing again. Now, she needs money, and she knows she has another book in her. Her former publisher is anxious to work with her again, and hooks her up with a household assistant, a gal friday to handle the house, errands, and watch the kiddo. That Kid is her nine year old son, Frank, a "challenging" and dynamic youngster. Alice, the gal friday, shares her tale of dealing with Frank and their adventures. I would have rated this higher. because this is a talented author. Unfortunately, the book ended abruptly, and it seems many of the storylines were left hanging. That left me an unfinished and unsatisfied feeling that lowered my review by 2 stars.

This book is engaging and witty, light without losing its literary merit. The narrator, assistant to a publisher, is sent to California to type out the upcoming, long awaited second novel of a reclusive (think Harper Lee) author. Once she arrives, she realizes that the author is NOT going to let her see her unfinished manuscript, and instead her job is to babysit the author's lovable but difficult 10 year old son. The child likes old movies and dressing like a walking anachronism in zoot suits and other clothes from bygone eras (where they get them to fit him, I don't know). Somehow the author keeps him just the right side of the line between interesting and believable and ridiculous.

One thing I appreciated about this book is that all of the loose ends were wrapped up by the end, but naturally and without any "ta-da!" hokiness.

I picked this via Vine when I was in need of some "palate cleansing" books. For me that means a little light (but still with a point) and silly, or at least humorous in it's observations. This one met the demand. An adorable, one-of-a-kind kid is introduced and while he does have some vague resemblance to the boy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time comparisons to that book are not justified. First, the kid is just not as believable - he's just a little too quirky. We also are not getting this story via Frank, but through the eyes of another which changes, the insights. Finally, while there are lots of little excursions, we are missing the overall mystery/adventure that drives "incident." "Frank" doesn't suffer from for plot line, though - there's still plenty of action to keep the reader interested. A cute read, with a memorable character - I think most folks will enjoy this title.

This was an unexpectedly good read. I am usually dubious about debut books whose theme is writing but this book disproves the rule. I found the writing good and the observations keen. It's a quirky read by an observant author who knows how to describe the world in a unique manner. For me it was the perfect book for the moment–lighthearted but sprinkled with interesting ideas and insights about the characters. I would definitely read another book by this author.

I liked this a lot. The characters, but especially Frank (of course), were colorful and had depth and I appreciated how Johnson didn't let any one of them overwhelm the story. Frank was both understandably infuriating, but also incredibly lovable even to me, the reader, and I thought she did an excellent job of portraying how the other characters probably felt about him. The sense of empathy I felt for his plight, including his relationship with his mother but especially when he was faced with t-shirts and jeans, particularly drew me into the story.

This also made me want to go out and buy my own son a wardrobe full of Buster Keaton suits and encourage his Sherlock side. :)

I recommend this highly.

Your enjoyment of Be Frank With Me depends on how much you enjoy the character Frank. Even though the story is told through first person, Frank, a child prodigy, is the actual main character. Our first person narrator doesn't have much of a personality. Frank is one of those genius kid characters who are socially stupid. I had to take breaks from reading the book because most of the book is his wacky hijinks and after a while he was exhausting.

Then the end happens and there isn't much resolution. Sure the big issue was resolved and some mysteries was solved but it felt like there should have been an epilogue attached.

There is also a random romance attached. Does there always have to be a romance? Because this one seems more random even than usual. It pops up and then goes away.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, I loved the title, I loved the premise, and I even met and loved the author, who is very much an everyday mother like so many of us and tells a good story.

But I just couldn’t get into it. In my mind it was going to be another Rosie Project, but the child version of it. Meaning a child somewhere on “the spectrum” who despite or rather because of his eccentricities is particularly lovable and offers something for those of us not on the spectrum (or at least less so, because who isn’t SOMEWHERE on some kind of spectrum?) to learn. Except where the Rosie Project delivered exactly that, and made me laugh out loud many times in the process, Be Frank With Me fell short. Frank simply wasn’t lovable at all. Not so much because he wasn’t a nice kid, in the grand scheme of things, but because he didn’t seem real enough. The conversations he had seemed too scripted. The thought processes too refined. He never became a person for me to feel for, to wonder about when I put down the book, to worry about, to cheer for. He left me indifferent – the worst a book character can do.

And Frank was the least of it. The other characters had even more inconsistencies: the mother, and especially Xander, who I don’t even know how to describe – family friend, drifter, mother’s former lover? You just didn’t know what role he was supposed to play in the story. And no one seems to evolve throughout, there is no learning, no coming of age, no aha moment. There were the allusions to Frank’s father and I kept waiting to find out some big revelation about his identity, but it never came. Or maybe I missed it, I now can’t rightly remember. Somewhat holding it all together was the narrator, Alice, who has some good passages but can’t pull it off all by herself.

The entire story just felt too forced – as if the author had one good spark of an idea, one scene perhaps, and then wrote everything else around it to force it into book form. The blurb compares it to Where’d You Go, Bernadette, but don’t hold your breath. That’s the kind of book it could have been, but it’s not. Pick up “Bernadette” instead, if you haven’t read it yet, or The Rosie Project. The best thing about Be Frank With Me is the clever title, and it’s a good effort for a first time author, but it won’t blow you away.

A Man Called Ove fans: here's your next favorite novel! The only difference is the quirky, eccentric, totally lovable character is not an old man, but a nine-year-old named Frank. He steals the show - and your heart - as he peppers ever conversation with little known facts. He dresses peculiarly, which totally adds to his charm. Alice, the assistant sent to help with Frank while Frank's mother writes a novel, is also very charming and endearing. The relationship they develop is lovely, making the entire novel a quick and entertaining read that won't leave you disappointed.

Mimi Banning has been unable to complete another novel since her bestselling first book written decades earlier. Her publisher sends 24-year-old Alice Whitley to help care for Mimi's eccentric 10-year-old son, Frank, so Mimi can concentrate on writing. But life in California with this odd family is hard for Alice. No matter how hard she tries, Frank seems to merely tolerate her and Mimi to detest her. Worst of all, there is no proof that this second novel will ever get written.

This book was fun and unusual. I loved the crazy characters and the story was both sweet and funny. An enjoyable read.

4 1/2 Stars
What a delightful book! A book full of charming characters along with one that grated on my nerves. I seriously didn't know where the story was going to take me almost all the way through. There were a few parts that dragged a bit and the end was rather abrupt, but that really didn't take away from the overall story. Frank was an endearing child and there were many times I laughed out loud along with many other moments that had me smiling. I would LOVE to see (read) more of Frank!!! It was a good week for this lighthearted, funny, and unusual book.

Or, To Be Frank is To Be Alone :-(

I saw this ebook on sale and decided to try it for book club based on its cute cover and intriguing characters--a famous recluse author and her unique son, Frank. However, the story was too depressing for me. I didn't connect with the main character Alice, and I found the author Mimi unredeemable.

Alice is a new adult who travels from NYC to LA at the request of her editor boss. His top client Mimi penned a masterpiece years ago, but has been swindled out of her money and needs to write another bestseller, stat. Problem is Mimi's 9-year-old son, Frank, needs supervision. Alice thinks she will help with the manuscript but instead helps write Frank's sad story.

Frank is on the autism spectrum (Asperger's). He alternates between endearing and infuriating. From knowing more information than his teachers to taking slang literally, his characterization appears quite authentic. He doesn't connect emotionally with others just like I didn't connect emotionally with this book.

Mimi is a total witch to Alice for reasons unknown to me. It's not Alice's fault Mimi had a tragedy in her past, nor is it her fault that Mimi has a special-needs child. Frank is desperate for his mother's attention and rarely receives it. But I still hated the karmic event that happened to Mimi later in the book. The event pretty much ruined things for me. When the deus ex machina occurred, it was too little, too late for salvaging my feelings for the book.

The writing is very good, and many enjoyed this more than me.

Here is another in the growing catalog of books about kids with OCD, or who are somewhere on the autism spectrum, and their struggles to survive in society.

Alice Whitley is a corn-bred girl from Nebraska who gets a job as the editorial assistant for a New York publisher. He in turn gives her a strange assignment. She is to go to Los Angeles and act as the minder for a reclusive writer, M.M. Banning, who like Harper Lee, wrote one huge bestseller and then nothing more for decades. But now, Banning is in financial distress and must write another book to stay afloat. Alice's task is to help her by taking care of all the little details of life so she will be free to write.

The little details turn out to be Frank, her 10-year-old son, who is a strange bird indeed. He likes to dress in outfits of gentlemen from the early 20th century, has an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies with a special emphasis on noir, can quote extensively from obscure books but is incapable of interacting with kids of his own age or dealing with teachers or school or the demands of society.

The author wishes us to fall in love with Frank -- as Alice does -- and one does to an extent. He is curiously endearing as well as both sad and funny. He won't fit in at all -- won't even try -- and we're supposed to accept that he can't fit in. He can't adapt his behavior in any way to the demands of society -- and society is too large and indifferent to make a place for a misfit like Frank to be able to exist.

There have been a growing number of books loosely on this theme -- and this is certainly among the better of them. It is well-written and it is amusing and one does empathize with the characters, all of whom are damaged in some way except Alice who represents total normality. At the same time, let me say, at the risk of offending some, that most of us have to make painful compromises to get along in life. We have to be heedful of the wishes, needs and sensitivities of others. We have in many cases to accept awful conditions to survive. I understand that there are those among us who are differently wired and who find it almost impossible to do what society requires of them in order to fit in. I understand that they have rights and should have a place. But when their behavior is dangerous and self-destructive, as in this book, how much must society bend to accommodate them, no matter how endearing and lovable they are?

Book #26 Read in 2016
Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

This book details what happens when Alice heads to California to be a literary assistant to a reclusive writer, who hasn't written anything in years. Mimi would be enough to handle but add her unique son Frank to the mix and it keeps life interesting. Frank, who has some issues with social interaction, along with an above average intelligence, is a quirky character who is fun to read about. This book bogged a bit for me in the middle but overall, it was a good read. I enjoyed the characters the most. I received a copy of this book from the the store Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

Mimi Banning is a famous author. She wrote one book and since then, she’s had fans clamoring at the gate of her Bel Air mansion, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive author. But financially, things aren’t all that good. She’s forced to write another book but now she has a young son, Frank, who needs constant supervision. Mainly because he’s brilliant, can assume the persona of a 1930’s movie star at the drop of a hat, and has a knack for vanishing unless an eye is on him at all times.

Mr. Vargas, a close personal friend of Mimi’s hires Alice to be Mimi’s personal assistant and a nanny to Frank. With very little information to go on, he sends her off to Bel Air with instructions to keep tabs on what’s going on at the mansion.

Mimi has seriously reclusive tendencies so it’s a little surprising to Alice just how much she throws herself into her work and how removed she is from her son during the writing process. But this lack of inclusion is what allows Alice to realize the type of kid Frank is. He’s like a 50 year-old man trapped in a little boy’s body. He’s charming, witty, funny but also exhausting. When overwhelmed by anything, he simple falls to the ground and has to be dealt with. He has no friends and his high brow manner of dress (top hat and all) makes him a target on the playground.

In a lot of ways this is a delightful read. Frank is an endearing character and there were times when I felt the same way about Alice. She’s given this tough task and seems to power through with little or no trouble. One thing that stuck out, is that the supporting characters didn’t grow during the course of the story. A lot more could have been done with Mimi and the close friends she chooses to have around her, like Xander, the sometimes handy man,. He had this great back story but the author just scratched the surface with him and he didn’t seem any different at the end of the story than at the beginning.

Another thing I noticed, is that at one point the story seemed too long but then when it ended, it seemed to end too soon, almost abruptly. I can’t say that this really hindered my enjoyment because it didn’t, but when I read that last line I was like, “Oh, I guess that’s the end.”

This year seems to be my “quirky family” year of reading. Everything I am drawn to in the way of books has everything to do with quirky, non-traditional families. I kind of like it and this book fits right into that. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I think the author could have gone a bit deeper with it but I discovered a new author and I’d absolutely read her work again.

Your enjoyment of Be Frank With Me depends on how much you enjoy the character Frank. Even though the story is told through first person, Frank, a child prodigy, is the actual main character. Our first person narrator doesn't have much of a personality. Frank is one of those genius kid characters who are socially stupid. I had to take breaks from reading the book because most of the book is his wacky hijinks and after a while he was exhausting.

Then the end happens and there isn't much resolution. Sure the big issue was resolved and some mysteries was solved but it felt like there should have been an epilogue attached.

There is also a random romance attached. Does there always have to be a romance? Because this one seems more random even than usual. It pops up and then goes away.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, I loved the title, I loved the premise, and I even met and loved the author, who is very much an everyday mother like so many of us and tells a good story.

But I just couldn’t get into it. In my mind it was going to be another Rosie Project, but the child version of it. Meaning a child somewhere on “the spectrum” who despite or rather because of his eccentricities is particularly lovable and offers something for those of us not on the spectrum (or at least less so, because who isn’t SOMEWHERE on some kind of spectrum?) to learn. Except where the Rosie Project delivered exactly that, and made me laugh out loud many times in the process, Be Frank With Me fell short. Frank simply wasn’t lovable at all. Not so much because he wasn’t a nice kid, in the grand scheme of things, but because he didn’t seem real enough. The conversations he had seemed too scripted. The thought processes too refined. He never became a person for me to feel for, to wonder about when I put down the book, to worry about, to cheer for. He left me indifferent – the worst a book character can do.

And Frank was the least of it. The other characters had even more inconsistencies: the mother, and especially Xander, who I don’t even know how to describe – family friend, drifter, mother’s former lover? You just didn’t know what role he was supposed to play in the story. And no one seems to evolve throughout, there is no learning, no coming of age, no aha moment. There were the allusions to Frank’s father and I kept waiting to find out some big revelation about his identity, but it never came. Or maybe I missed it, I now can’t rightly remember. Somewhat holding it all together was the narrator, Alice, who has some good passages but can’t pull it off all by herself.

The entire story just felt too forced – as if the author had one good spark of an idea, one scene perhaps, and then wrote everything else around it to force it into book form. The blurb compares it to Where’d You Go, Bernadette, but don’t hold your breath. That’s the kind of book it could have been, but it’s not. Pick up “Bernadette” instead, if you haven’t read it yet, or The Rosie Project. The best thing about Be Frank With Me is the clever title, and it’s a good effort for a first time author, but it won’t blow you away.

A Man Called Ove fans: here's your next favorite novel! The only difference is the quirky, eccentric, totally lovable character is not an old man, but a nine-year-old named Frank. He steals the show - and your heart - as he peppers ever conversation with little known facts. He dresses peculiarly, which totally adds to his charm. Alice, the assistant sent to help with Frank while Frank's mother writes a novel, is also very charming and endearing. The relationship they develop is lovely, making the entire novel a quick and entertaining read that won't leave you disappointed.

Mimi Banning has been unable to complete another novel since her bestselling first book written decades earlier. Her publisher sends 24-year-old Alice Whitley to help care for Mimi's eccentric 10-year-old son, Frank, so Mimi can concentrate on writing. But life in California with this odd family is hard for Alice. No matter how hard she tries, Frank seems to merely tolerate her and Mimi to detest her. Worst of all, there is no proof that this second novel will ever get written.

This book was fun and unusual. I loved the crazy characters and the story was both sweet and funny. An enjoyable read.

4 1/2 Stars
What a delightful book! A book full of charming characters along with one that grated on my nerves. I seriously didn't know where the story was going to take me almost all the way through. There were a few parts that dragged a bit and the end was rather abrupt, but that really didn't take away from the overall story. Frank was an endearing child and there were many times I laughed out loud along with many other moments that had me smiling. I would LOVE to see (read) more of Frank!!! It was a good week for this lighthearted, funny, and unusual book.

Here is another in the growing catalog of books about kids with OCD, or who are somewhere on the autism spectrum, and their struggles to survive in society.

Alice Whitley is a corn-bred girl from Nebraska who gets a job as the editorial assistant for a New York publisher. He in turn gives her a strange assignment. She is to go to Los Angeles and act as the minder for a reclusive writer, M.M. Banning, who like Harper Lee, wrote one huge bestseller and then nothing more for decades. But now, Banning is in financial distress and must write another book to stay afloat. Alice's task is to help her by taking care of all the little details of life so she will be free to write.

The little details turn out to be Frank, her 10-year-old son, who is a strange bird indeed. He likes to dress in outfits of gentlemen from the early 20th century, has an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies with a special emphasis on noir, can quote extensively from obscure books but is incapable of interacting with kids of his own age or dealing with teachers or school or the demands of society.

The author wishes us to fall in love with Frank -- as Alice does -- and one does to an extent. He is curiously endearing as well as both sad and funny. He won't fit in at all -- won't even try -- and we're supposed to accept that he can't fit in. He can't adapt his behavior in any way to the demands of society -- and society is too large and indifferent to make a place for a misfit like Frank to be able to exist.

There have been a growing number of books loosely on this theme -- and this is certainly among the better of them. It is well-written and it is amusing and one does empathize with the characters, all of whom are damaged in some way except Alice who represents total normality. At the same time, let me say, at the risk of offending some, that most of us have to make painful compromises to get along in life. We have to be heedful of the wishes, needs and sensitivities of others. We have in many cases to accept awful conditions to survive. I understand that there are those among us who are differently wired and who find it almost impossible to do what society requires of them in order to fit in. I understand that they have rights and should have a place. But when their behavior is dangerous and self-destructive, as in this book, how much must society bend to accommodate them, no matter how endearing and lovable they are?

Book #26 Read in 2016
Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

This book details what happens when Alice heads to California to be a literary assistant to a reclusive writer, who hasn't written anything in years. Mimi would be enough to handle but add her unique son Frank to the mix and it keeps life interesting. Frank, who has some issues with social interaction, along with an above average intelligence, is a quirky character who is fun to read about. This book bogged a bit for me in the middle but overall, it was a good read. I enjoyed the characters the most. I received a copy of this book from the the store Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

Mimi Banning is a famous author. She wrote one book and since then, she’s had fans clamoring at the gate of her Bel Air mansion, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive author. But financially, things aren’t all that good. She’s forced to write another book but now she has a young son, Frank, who needs constant supervision. Mainly because he’s brilliant, can assume the persona of a 1930’s movie star at the drop of a hat, and has a knack for vanishing unless an eye is on him at all times.

Mr. Vargas, a close personal friend of Mimi’s hires Alice to be Mimi’s personal assistant and a nanny to Frank. With very little information to go on, he sends her off to Bel Air with instructions to keep tabs on what’s going on at the mansion.

Mimi has seriously reclusive tendencies so it’s a little surprising to Alice just how much she throws herself into her work and how removed she is from her son during the writing process. But this lack of inclusion is what allows Alice to realize the type of kid Frank is. He’s like a 50 year-old man trapped in a little boy’s body. He’s charming, witty, funny but also exhausting. When overwhelmed by anything, he simple falls to the ground and has to be dealt with. He has no friends and his high brow manner of dress (top hat and all) makes him a target on the playground.

In a lot of ways this is a delightful read. Frank is an endearing character and there were times when I felt the same way about Alice. She’s given this tough task and seems to power through with little or no trouble. One thing that stuck out, is that the supporting characters didn’t grow during the course of the story. A lot more could have been done with Mimi and the close friends she chooses to have around her, like Xander, the sometimes handy man,. He had this great back story but the author just scratched the surface with him and he didn’t seem any different at the end of the story than at the beginning.

Another thing I noticed, is that at one point the story seemed too long but then when it ended, it seemed to end too soon, almost abruptly. I can’t say that this really hindered my enjoyment because it didn’t, but when I read that last line I was like, “Oh, I guess that’s the end.”

This year seems to be my “quirky family” year of reading. Everything I am drawn to in the way of books has everything to do with quirky, non-traditional families. I kind of like it and this book fits right into that. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I think the author could have gone a bit deeper with it but I discovered a new author and I’d absolutely read her work again.

Be Frank With Me, by Julia Claiborne Johnson builds in intensity as the plot develops and the characters are slowly fleshed out. The reader is drawn in and after awhile is so involved in the lives of Frank, a young 10 year old child with a very old soul and Alice who comes to take of Frank so his mother, Mimi can finish her long awaited second novel.

What makes the book so wonderful to read is that Alice and Frank develop a beautiful relationship as the plot develops and both seem to grow up and have a chance to be very introspective. Though the story is presented in a light hearted manner, there are some heart warming moments and there are some sad moments throughout the novel.

So to clarify the above - Great writing, fantastic characters, no violence (except what a brilliant slightly paranoid young boy can wrought), no sexual content - a little but in a way that doesnt offend anyone. I loved everything about this novel - funny, sad, poignant. Kept me glued to the pages. The only thing that I didnt like was the very last chapter. I thought - well - that it would end in a different way. The last chapter was a bit "under whelming" after being entranced by the rest of the novel. I know it took the author 5 years to write it - so have twittered with her for a SEQUEL! She has asked to be patient. If it happens - I look forward to it with great relish.

Beautiful book. Julie Claiborne Johnson really made me laugh. Not just from the funny things going on in the book (which are kind of constant) but more, just the way she goes about writing a sentence. It's that inexplicable Evelyn Waugh sort of thing. And she somehow managed to make you want to go live in this house with these characters, even though they're all nuts. So sorry to see them go in the end. If I had any complaint, it's a tiny bit slow in the middle. (Though maybe it was late at night.) It all comes together for the last quarter though. Highly recommended!

The premise of this book is an interesting one. A woman named Alice is tasked with ensuring that a reclusive writer ("Mini Banning") in need of a paycheck finishes her novel. Mimi is a one-hit wonder who wrote a book, which won the Pulitzer and ended up on the big screen. But the gravy train has run out for her and it's time to get back to work. While Alice is stationed at the author's mansion, she becomes fascinated with Mimi's son, Frank, a nine year old with some eccentricities (let's just say he's an old soul in certain ways). I wouldn't say he exactly a misfit, he's just different and this affects him socially as he really has no friends at school and Alice fills that gap for Frank. Frank is a colorful little character who likes to wear the fashion of the 1930s. He's also a handful to deal with on a day-to-day basis. At first I thought he might be autistic because of his rules on touching but then my thinking morphed into his being a spoiled brat who got whatever he wanted even if he had to just take (steal) it. He also has the mind of a mnemonist. But if Frank doesn't evolve, his future could be a shaky one. What is precocious when you're a kid may destroy you as an adult. As it turns out, his behavior eventually causes a horrible disaster that affects the already tentative state of affairs.

Alice is the narrator of the story, narrating from an inquisitive point of view, trying to figure out the real story behind Frank's actual lineage (who his father is) as well as Mimi's personal history, though she doesn't have a lot of interaction with Mimi. I never really got a definitive sense of Mimi, though she is an intriguing character. One question was whether Mimi actually had it in her to write a second successful novel. She has supposedly written substantially without publishing since her initial success.

In addition to Frank and Mimi, Alice tells us about Xander, the "piano teacher" who kind of slinks in and out of the picture. Alice has a lot of questions about who Xander is in this little family unit as he and his comings and goings seem suspect to her. Sort of.

I know a lot of this was meant to be funny – Frank in particular – but I felt a deep sadness for the characters, who all had significant crosses to bear personally. Then it ended abruptly, I found myself angry that so many questions were left unanswered.

It's like the author was playing the game of life, maneuvering broken pieces around the game board without ever finishing it and then boxing it up when she got tired of playing. I don't know how else to describe it. Up to a certain point, it was a page turner, then it just died, with lots of unfinished business left in its wake.

This is reflected in my overall rating. The author is an excellent writer but the abruptness of the ending was completely disconcerting.

I absolutely loved this book. Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson....from the cover to the content inside...a beautiful story with very eccentric and memorable characters. I almost wish there was a continuation of this book because I want to see what happens to every single person in it. When you care about fictional characters as if they were real human beings then you know you just went through that beautiful book magic that all readers strive to gain from every book we read.

I received this book free from The Reading Room in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

This book would be far less appealing, and would hardly have held my interest, without the character of Frank, the brilliant, eccentric, sometimes uncontrollable, frequently sweet ten-year-old whom the narrator is assigned to take care of while his mother, famous author and recluse, finally writes a second book. (I am no expert, but I would guess Frank is somewhere on the Asperger's/autism spectrum.) The narrator herself is less interesting, though not actually unsympathetic (an adjective that could fairly be applied to Frank's mother) -- but her relationship with Frank, with its ups, downs, and other directions, is worth following. Other secondary characters also figure in the web of relationships that makes up much of the story.

I'm not sure how to feel about the games Johnson plays with the reader's expectations. (I'll leave that comment cryptic to avoid spoilers.)

I finished reading Be Frank With Me just five minutes ago, and I miss visiting with Frank already. This is an odd and compelling book with one of the most delightful (and odd) central characters you'll ever encounter. Although it is never fully spelled out, young Frank is probably high-level autistic (Aspergers?) and simultaneously a royal pain-in-the-butt and the sweetest, most love-worthy kid you'll ever meet. The pace of the book is gentle yet gripping. I'd petition the author to write a sequel, just so I can spend more time with Frank, but then again I'll enjoy remembering him as he was in this story for a long, long time.

Frank Banning is probably one of my favorite characters in recent fiction. He’s endearing and quirky and frustrating – so much depth and dimension in such a young guy. But then again, all of the characters in Be Frank With Me are like that. Not to the delightful extremes of Frank, perhaps, but all are endearing in their own way – most with a set of quirks that are intriguing and often frustrating.

While the subject matter of Be Frank With Me isn’t a laughing matter per se, the author’s writing voice is so witty and the character of Frank so entertaining that you will find yourself grinning and laughing throughout the book anyway.

When Alice first meets Frank, in fact, he is wearing silver cufflinks shaped like the masks of Comedy and Tragedy. In many ways, this can be seen as a subtle note from the author, a foreshadowing of sorts as to the tone of the book. A little bit of comedy and a little bit of tragedy mixed together in a hilarious, heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking story of family and love and finding your place.

It’s also an homage of sorts to Los Angeles and old Hollywood and the kind of movies where people danced and sang and gave us great lines like “Here’s looking at you, kid”. Scattered throughout the book, whether because Frank is extolling their virtues or because he’s being compared to their style, these classic movies add to both the quirkiness and sentimentality of the story overall. In what I consider a stroke of genius, someone over at HarperCollins decided to include in the bonus pages (for books clubs, etc.) a section on “Recommended Film Viewing” with several of the films mentioned in the novel and the endearing quotes to remind you where they appeared. Made me smile all over again!

Be Frank With Me is one of those brilliantly written books that is so much more than it first appears to be. Even with so much depth it is a quick read, yet it’s one you want to savor and it will definitely be one I reread. The characters have life and breath and are larger than the words on the page… and they take up residence in your heart where they continue to linger after you’ve finished reading. Witty and endearing in spite of the heartbreaking, Julia Claiborne Johnson strikes exactly the right tone for this novel and is an author I will keep on my watch list!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book.)

Positively enchanting. Johnson’s ability to keep the reader captivated with a unique cast of characters as they try to navigate through their lives is a true gift.

The story opens with Alice going to California to be the assistant of an eccentric and slightly reclusive author. She is there to help the famed M.M. Banning complete her much anticipated follow-up novel. However, it soon becomes clear that the Banning household is a bit different than others when Alice meets Frank. This little boy is from another era. His knowledge of movies and all facts in general is impressive as it can be annoying, but through it all, Frank manages to beguile those around him. There are twists and turns within the book that allow a full range of characters to come onto the scene. They will add disruption, love, and sometimes even more drama that Alice could have ever intended. Yet, at the end of the day, this group of people come together because the love for one little boy and of course, his mother’s manuscript.

When I think about all the books and characters I have read over the year(s), many of them blur together. Sure I remember the stories and situations, but finding a character that will stay with you…that is a great thing. In Be Frank with Me, the reader gets the distinguished privilege of meeting Frank Banning. This precocious little boy made grabbed my heart and still has not let go.

The writing in this book is simply perfections. The flow from one vignette to the next is seamless as the interactions with the characters create truly heartfelt and humorous moments in equal part. Despite the emotions that are evident within the prose, the author manages to not go too far into the realm of excess. There is just enough of everything to make you fall in love with this book. I know that I did.

Be Frank With Me is a charming novel about the relationship between Frank, a nine year old genius somewhere on the autism spectrum and Alice, the narrator, who works for his mother, a reclusive author attempting to follow up on one successful novel. By turns comic and poignant, this debut novel is the somewhat lighter side of memoirs and fiction about autistic or obsessive-compulsive children (e.g. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Frank combines a bit of those children with the dapper eccentricity and fashion sense of Waugh's Sebastian Flyte. While at moments he strays near precocious-child stereotypes, his pain is portrayed convincingly, and one appreciates both the difficulty of being Frank in the world and the frustration of those in the world who love and care for him.

Alice as narrator works to give us the viewpoint that we very well might have about these characters. While I understood why she was attracted to her eventual love interest, it wasn't the most interesting relationship, nor did I care about him much as an individual. Frank, and Frank's relationships with others, particularly Alice and his mother, are the real attraction here, and the novel is memorable on those grounds.

Be Frank With Me is an odd combination of characters that somehow manage to come together to create and eminently readable story. It walks a very fine line between being a light-hearted read and a heart-wrenching family tale. But that dichotomy was one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much.

I was intrigued by the premise of the reclusive author, which was why I picked up this book in the first place, but what really hooked me was Frank. His idiosyncratic behavior and straight-forward manner make him difficult to deal with while still keeping him likable. I think writing an interesting child character without resorting to the typical problem-child trope can be difficult, especially for a first-time writer, but Julia Claiborne Johnson pulls it off with aplomb. His struggles and the growth he undergoes doing the story are the anchor for this novel.

The narrator, Alice, is a little bland by comparison. It's not clear to me how much she really grows over the course of the novel, besides possibly learning to make fewer assumptions about those around her. And I felt the romance aspect was completely unnecessary. It goes no where and only seems to clutter the plot.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this novel and spending some time with Frank and his "family". I completely agree with those reviewers who suggest that the enjoyment you get from this book is directly proportional to how much you enjoy the character of Frank. I happened to like him very much, so this was a fun and quick read for me.

If you have never read an audiobook, you could make no better choice than to start with this one. Julia Claiborne Johnson's touching story, of an eccentric little boy caught up in an adult drama, is rendered even more wonderful by Tavia Gilbert's narration. As she switches between the voice of nine-year-old Frank and those of the grownups who surround him, it is hard to believe that we are listening to the same person.

Wow, I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters. I expected Frank to be what he was..fascinating, complex, heartbreakingly himself..but, I didn't expect the journey of Alice and her love for Frank. This can't be over. I hope Julia Johnson will write another..that Frank and Alice are not done. They just can't be.

Alice was a not-so-recent graduate who majored in accounting, but had been working in a number of different non-accounting jobs before fully committing to the profession. She was working in New York city for Mr. Vargas, an editor, at a publishing house. Mr. Vargas volunteered dependable, sensible, midwesterner Alice as a personal assistant to one of his writers. The writer happened to be the fanatically followed M. M. Banning, whose one and only novel was published decades earlier. One caveat, Alice would be moving to Los Angeles to live with the reclusive author and her young son as the author is under deadline to write a second book (or go bankrupt).

Alice accepts the assignment from the boss she respects, and arrives in LA to find herself in the midst of chaos. M. M. Banning, or Mimi for short, is super hostile because she has to actually write another book, and is also upset that the book takes her away from the love of her life, her young son, Frank. Julia Claiborne Johnson introduces her readers to some eccentric characters in BE FRANK WITH ME. I relished reading about these characters from smart, steady Alice’s viewpoint. I was amazed at how Alice adjusted to the moody Mimi and funny (strange, not haha) Frank, who is clearly somewhere on some spectrum. Frank is a sartorial superstar, dressing like the movie characters of his favorite movies. This kid is knowledgeable about all things Hollywood and film and anything else that piques his interest. He loves to share his film and any other extraneous knowledge he deigns Alice to know.

Besides some school employees, Alice’s only real friend and relationship in LA is with Xander, Mimi’s confidante and handyman who stands in as a father figure to Frank, since Frank’s father is absent from the scene. Clearly, Frank and Xander have an extraordinary relationship. Frank might be too much for some readers (or hit too close to home for others), but I enjoyed his nonstop ADHD/some form of autism condition, mainly due to the Ms. Johnson’s writing. Ms. Johnson never gives a definitive diagnosis, but this magnetic and frustrating child was fun to read and probably fun to write. Alice and Frank bond (as well as Frank can bond with someone so foreign to his world) and they have trials and tribulations and adventures while Mimi shuts herself away to type the next big great American novel. Mimi reminded me of Harper Lee, and Frank a composite of all three children in Lee’s famous book, because Mimi had the one book that years later people were still clamoring to meet her and get her to sign their books.

Between Frank’s social and school issues, Xander’s habit of appearing and disappearing, and Mimi’s abrasiveness, Alice has much to tell. Not to give anything away, nothing appears as it seems. I was captivated by the amount of films quoted and explained by young Frank. An appendix at the end of the book shows the films referenced and short recap of each. I enjoyed BE FRANK WITH ME and will read any other books Ms. Johnson writes.

3.5 stars
Be Frank with Me is a sweet story that I am glad I read. Frank is a sweet, quirky, brilliant boy who will grow up and change the world. Sadly, society does not always value these children when they are young and out of step with the rest of their generation. He struggles with the social aspects of school and has been asked to leave many schools due to his inability to fit in. His mother Mimi, an author with one great book, has been swindled out of their entire savings and must write another book to provide for herself and Frank. The publisher sends Alice out to Los Angeles to help Mimi get the book written and look after Frank while Mimi writes. I loved both Frank and Alice but had a harder time with Mimi and Xander. My favorite characteristics of Frank are his fabulous wardrobe and his incredible knowledge of movie trivia. Overall, I liked the story but wish it had been a little shorter.

Quotes from the author:
“I'm not a deep thinker I like my stories big.”
”Though I had made my living as a writer for most of my life I hadn't tried my hand at a novel before because I didn't think I had a story to tell that anybody would be interested in reading.”

These statements are somewhat ironic. This is not a big story. It is a well rehashed set of characters: the reclusive author, the eccentric child, the bullying schoolmates, the uncomprehending principal, the lost free spirit and the naive helper who untangles it all. This content is not that of a novel but of an extended short story. It starts in the middle, takes one or two steps and then stops short of any commitments. Nothing particularly of interest is added to the stock narrative. Like the movies around which the story centres, a few embellishments are added to a standard plot and voila, we have a new book. The writing is not bad and the presentation is not bad. The writer has promise. I believe that she can eventually write a story that someone might be interested in reading.

A smile-inducing, captivating story from beginning to end. Ten-year-old Frank and his newly appointed caregiver, Alice, make a delightful, laugh-out-loud duo who ultimately bring out the best in each other. The author, through her quick wit and wise intelligence, builds compassion for quirky kids everywhere and those who struggle to love and look after them. The rollick through Hollywood and the references to the difficulties of writing and publishing make "Be Frank With Me" all the more compelling. But above all, I loved Frank!

Do I like this book? Do I not like this book? Honestly, I don't know. I feel a lot like the main character, Alice (the story is told from her first-person point of view) and wanted to chuck the whole thing. But I kept reading.

The book is, as another reviewer pointed out, ripped from the headlines. The center of the book is M.M. "Mimi" Banning, who like Harper Lee, wrote one crazy bestselling book and then went into obscurity. She has a nine-year-old son, Frank, and a friend named Xander who comes around every once in a while. Mimi is broke because of a ponzi-type scheme.

In order to not lose everything, she calls her editor, Mr. Vargas, at the publishing house and asks him to send an assistant. He sends Alice.

Got it?

Although the story is told from Alice's point of view, Frank is such a character (and I mean that in *all* senses of the word) that he overshadows everything. He's interesting, but he's also as interesting as eating ice cream for dinner every night. Sounds like a great plan, until you're flat tired of ice cream and want something substantial.

If you ignore all the plot holes (Why wouldn't Mimi hire a tutor for her son? If she's such a recluse, how did she ever manage to get swindled? Why is she so mean to Alice, yet entrust her son to her? Why have a "romance"? Why would they keep Mimi in the hospital? etc.), and just read it for the language, it's a treat. It's exactly the way the author described Xander - a Golden Retriever going after a tennis ball. Fun, but ultimately foolish.

This is probably my favorite book I've read in a long time. I read a lot but don't tend to post reviews unless I really love or hate something. This book was so delightful. I'm horrible at plot summaries. You can read the descriptions on others. I just know that when I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the characters, and they made me laugh, cry, and think.

I loved this bittersweet but heartwarming book. The quirky, young title character, Frank, stole my heart and had me wincing and chuckling right from the first page. The characters are engaging and bring something to the story; I wanted to know more about each of them. This wonderful first novel had me laughing (in a good way) in the midst of the characters' awkward and sometimes tragic circumstances, and cheering for them to find acceptance of themselves and each other. The story explores themes such as neuro-diversity; Asperger's syndrome/autism; the lives of writers/editors beyond their book-covers; and life as a single parent, with humour and a tender heart. I look forward to reading the author's next books.

I was curious about the title and intrigued by the notion that a main character in the book was an engaging nine year old boy. I very much enjoyed getting acquainted with Frank and would love to have this child in my life. Yes, he is not your usual nine year old and that is one reason he is so appealing. Unfortunately, I can't say that the other characters were so engaging for me. I cared about the young 20something year old Alice who was charged with caring for Frank but I found Frank's mother Mimi to be uncaring and unrealistic. I get that both Mime and the mysterious Xander had seen great sadness in their lives but neither character seemed well developed to me. I did enjoy Mr Vargas and I wish we could have known more about him. Characters make the story for me and these characters fall short.

I slipped into the pages of this book and you couldn't get me out with a crowbar. It's as funny as it is heartbreaking, clever as all get-out, and it offers a deep and insightful perspective that isn't often seen. As entertaining as it is important.

Wonderful read. The main characters are a wonderful mix of people. When summer starts to change to fall and the cold in the north east I find myself reading lighter books. This book is intense if you look closely and full of whimsy at the same time.

An enjoyable novel about an unlikely match up of people coming together with a job to do. Frank's character was so entertaining. From the way he dresses for a nine year old boy, to his obsession with movie characters and lines from those movies. Alice did a great job keeping up with his train of thought. This book is an eye opener for those who do not know much about autism or special needs children. Although I really wanted to shake Mimi (his mom) a few times! If you like Jim Parsons or Benedict Cumberbatch you will see pieces of their characters here.

This is a quirky read. It took me a while to get into it. But like the character, Frank, the book gets under your skin. I appreciate the way the characters worried about Frank but also accepted him, appreciated him even. They didn't get caught up in terms like Asperger's or spectrum.

I read this book on and off during the course of my weekend off from work. It was an easy read and I found the characters to be realistic. I found the story of Frank to be cute but it was sad to read how his mother seems to feel that having him was a mistake. No child should be made to feel that way. His caretaker, Alice does the best she can while facing cruel comments from his mother as she becomes a glorified nanny while mommy tries to complete a new novel. The ending was not what I was expecting because I never felt the story had any real sort of climax but it was a good way to escape housework for a few hours and was much better than the last book I attempted to read and could not finish. (Sing, unburied, sing)

A young woman who is pushed into an unknown situation then behaves like a door mat, only to chastises herself for arrogance and smugness which better describes everyone around her. A writer/boss who's unhappiness is suppose to justify her abusive behavior toward employees and everyone she knows. A child with Asperger's left in the hands of the people the least qualified to help him Xander? Jerk, man child, never answers a direct question and out of place as Alice's lover (really a strange dynamic for a person in charge of a child's care). . I started out being charmed by Frank, feeling sorry for Alice and curious about Mimi. I ended weary of Frank, wanting to slap Alice and shoot Mimi to put her and everyone else out of their misery.

BE FRANK WITH ME is a light quick read that has many amusing moments. The Frank of the story is the nine year old son of a reclusive author the heroine is hired to assist. This is a clever feel good story.

We listened to the audiobook version of BE FRANK WITH ME and loved it! Narrator Tavia Gilbert's voices for each character made this funny, heart-warming, interesting novel come alive in ways I'm not sure the print version could match. The plot twists at the end made it a very satisfying journey. Highly recommended, especially the audio version.

Like others, I quit half way through. This book wasn't going anywhere. It's amazing, because as a professional teacher, I like kids-all kinds. But I found Frank to be unrealistic and boorish. I am also a great fan of old movies, but the frequent references were only enough to get me half way through.. If I felt anything in this book, it was sympathy for Frank, living in an unreal word with a mother who didn't give much to him. I would describe Frank in one word: lonely. Many mentioned how funny this book is. I didn't find it funny. It's about a young man, mostly ignored, using his intellect and attention getting excentricities to seek love. I saw it as a tragedy that was trying to be cute. It did not compute.

This book had the ability to break my heart and then turn around and make me laugh. I've encouraged several of my family and friends to read this book and they all really enjoyed it as well. Frank is quite the character!

Frank's character is phenomenal. Reminds me of Little Man Tate (although Frank is far more annoying!) Wondering more about Mimi and her past, but I guess the book's focus wasn't about her. Why Vargas? Why Xander? All very interesting questions. Alice took far more abuse than I would have. Loved the plot...

Overall I think this book was a surprise. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the characters and the solid way Alice stepped into the craziness. I struggled with the jump in bed relationship between 2 of the characters. Also loved the ending.

Initially, I was smitten by the novel's charm, and particularly by that of its principal character, who is not the narrator/observer, Alice, but rather Frank, the nine-year old boy of the title. Frank is not your typical fourth-grader; he prefers to don top hat and tails, and rattles off facts -- fascinating and esoteric, from the relationship between Robert Benchley of the Algonquin's Round Table and Peter Benchley of "Jaws" fame, to the fact that archaeologist Howard Carter didn't wear sunscreen -- but can't understand jokes or interact with other kids "normally". Frank's mother is a once-famous novelist, a Salinger-like recluse who penned her only novel at the age of 19, won awards and then disappeared from the literary landscape entirely. Now, decades later, a Madoff-like fraudster has robbed her of her life savings and her publishers have dispatched Alice to ensure that Mimi can churn out a new novel. In practice, that means being with Frank, while Mimi takes refuge in her work room, banging away on a typewriter and refusing to interact with Alice in anything other than a rudimentary and often hostile manner.

The charm of this lies in Frank's personality, but it's a charm that too quickly ran thin. Ultimately, something has to change or evolve, but while there is are a fair number of dramatic events -- the first few pages introduce us to Alice and Frank, en route to visit Mimi in the hospital following a fire, so we know more or less what we're heading towards -- that doesn't mean that the characters change. In particular, Alice simply seems to observe and record and experience. Mimi, Frank, Xander -- Mimi's friend and Frank's cherished role model and piano teacher -- affect her emotionally in different ways but there's no sense of how her life's course is going to alter as a result, or whether she has simply collected a series of cool tales to tell about "those months that I spent in LA".

Once past the eccentricities of the characters (other than Alice, and the writing, there was no solid center to this novel. Was the point of the exercise to remind us that kids like Frank exist? Okaaay... Or that creative people are different? Again, okaaaay. Ultimately, I felt as if I had picked up a cup of cappucino, only to discover that beneath the froth there wasn't any coffee. Sure, the froth was lovely, but I still wanted the hot drink -- something more substantive than good writing and clever, one-dimensional characterizations (a precocious kid with Asperger's; an enigmatic writer who never really comes to life at all on the page; an elusive man who comes and goes from their lives and who proves seductive to Alice in ways that aren't ever really convincing.)

This was clever, but also facile. I wish I had liked it more. The writing was excellent, but the plot was skeleton thin, ended suddenly and with too many major questions surrounding Frank left unresolved that if it weren't froth, would have been addressed. If you're looking for wit, at the expense of other stuff, well, you'll probably be OK. Otherwise...

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I was sucked into the story within the first chapter. The characters are written so well and so real. I love how Mimi was written. The novel is filled with humor, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments. I also really love the way the pages are made (some shorter than others to give it an unfinished feel); my favorite type of books!

I loved this book. It is different than the type of books I usually read, and now I want more! I am missing the characters, which has never happened to me. I want more of Frank and Alice. I wish the ending had given us a bit more, but at least it ended in a way in which you are able to assume what happens next pretty easily.

This book was a delight. The characters are well developed and the dialogue was believable. Which is not always the case with a first novel. I felt so connected to the people in this book that I was very sad when it ended. The ending was slightly ambiguous but maybe the author has a sequel in mind?
I recommend this book to anyone looking for an engrossing, pleasurable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the characters were interesting and charming but not one dimensional. Frank, the main character, is endearing - I didn't want it to end. Frank, Alice, Mimi - and everyone else - felt like people I wish I knew in LA so I could go visit.
Read it!

Frank is that eccentric kid, more eccentric than most kids you would know. Alice became the glue for all of them.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Characters stick with you. It's different, sweet and an enjoyable read

What a sweet, quirky story.

All in all I found this to be a satisfying story for everyone but the narrator. I enjoyed the filling in of the mysterious cast of characters and the slow boil of the (somewhat inconsequential) mystery.

More than anything I would say I recommend this book because of Frank. His character is especially sweet, interesting and endearing. Plus he provides plenty of interesting cocktail conversation-type facts.

If you enjoyed books like 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' or 'Amy Falls Down' you will probably enjoy this.

I loved the interplay between the characters in this book -- the child, Frank, is quirky and funny. The adults are exhausted and loving and strong. The story isn't believable, but I did not care -- I had such fun reading this!

I have a toddler boy and Frank reminds me of him and his antics. I can relate to Mimi’s overwhelming love and exhaustion caring for her son while trying to get anything productive done. I enjoyed this story.

This novel didn't grab me immediately, but I stuck with it and am so glad I did. It's a story of a unique relationship involving a wonderful boy and a young woman with a couple of other odd-ball characters thrown in. Warm, humorous.

Sweet, seemingly simple tale of unique friendships. The title character is as described - odd, challenging, occasionally out of control. But also brilliant, endearing, and with unexpected insights. Our narrator gets a unique entry into this family of misfits and is the perfect way for us to enter their lives. While they have their bad moments and significant challenges, Franks charm and our narrators practical streak keeps it uplifting - something I sincerely appreciate.

What a delightful yet heart-tugging read! Accessible writing combined with an intriguing unraveling of Mimi and Frank's story made this one of my favorite books this year. The Golden Age of Hollywood references and writing-life setting put this squarely within my wheelhouse of interests, and the pace and poignancy of the tale kept me absorbed. I look forward to reading other works by Julia Claiborne Johnson!

I had high hopes for this book. The story grabbed me from the start. Practical, responsible Alice takes a job as a live-in assistant for renowned but reclusive author, M. M. Banning. Banning is in financial difficulties and is on a strict timeline to complete her long-awaited second novel. Alice is to keep tabs on the progress of the new novel for her employer, Banning's agent, in addition to being a live-in housekeeper, cook, and-most importantly-caretaker for Banning's eccentric and brilliant 9-year-old son, Frank.

The story starts out strong, as Alice learns to acclimate to Frank's many "rules" and attempts to befriend Mimi Banning. The story weakens near the middle, when Frank's lone male role model, itinerant handyman and pianist Xander, makes his appearance. For a moment I feared that the story, which really belongs to Frank, was going to veer into a trite and overdone romance between Xander and Alice. Thankfully, it did not. The true heart of this story is young Frank and all of his endearing oddness.

The ending leaves something to be desired, but overall a good read.

This was simply wonderful. An honest portrayal of a family full of people who are doing the best they can while never truly fitting in where they are. Los Angeles acts as another character in the novel and is so much more than just the setting - the city allows each person to unfold in their own way. A genuine and beautiful story!

Be Frank With Me had me clapping my hands and wanting to come back for more. This debut novel really gets to you at the very start. Alice, the personal assistant, steps up to the plate early on with some amazing results. The child, Frank, is strong in his individuality and idiosyncrasies that it is a refreshing change from society's cookie cutter philosophy that children need to fit in. I am highly anticipating this author's next novel.

I agree with other reviewers who've said that when this book ends, it just ends, without explanation for, well, the book itself. The writing and characters were interesting and well done, but there seemed to be no rhyme or reason for any of it. It is made clear throughout the book that the author, Mimi Banning, expresses open dislike for her son's minder and would-be editor, Alice Whitley. There was seemingly no point to this or much of anything else, really. I give it two stars for the writing and the characters, but I found the book pointless and did not feel my time was well spent reading it.

This is a great read if you are looking for something light and funny. I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed because it is not my usual genre. I even recommended it to a few people which is something I do very rarely. The characters are well developed and I found myself becoming attached to them in different way.

This book was difficult to get through. A woman was asked to deal with a difficult young boy in order to do her job. The likelihood of him knowing as much as it portrayed is slim. I stuck with it and the ending finally picked up a bit but overall I wish I had read something else. Wouldn't suggest you waste your time.