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Frankie's World #2
Finding My Voice
How do you find your voice when everyone around you is telling you to be quiet?
Frankie is different, and so is her best-friend, Sam. So when they both start secondary school, it's tough. Particularly when there are so many rules to follow, like: No talking in class! Be quiet in the hallways! Silence for assembly!
Frankie doesn't know how she'll manage, because constantly talking is how she copes. So when she gets the chance to compete in a Battle of the Bands contest, Frankie couldn't be more excited. Except, to have a band, you need to have band members. And to have band members, you need to be good at making friends...
Can Frankie learn to find her voice and stand out?
Frankie is different, and so is her best-friend, Sam. So when they both start secondary school, it's tough. Particularly when there are so many rules to follow, like: No talking in class! Be quiet in the hallways! Silence for assembly!
Frankie doesn't know how she'll manage, because constantly talking is how she copes. So when she gets the chance to compete in a Battle of the Bands contest, Frankie couldn't be more excited. Except, to have a band, you need to have band members. And to have band members, you need to be good at making friends...
Can Frankie learn to find her voice and stand out?
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 30, 2023
93 people want to read
About the author
Aoife Dooley
18 books16 followersI’m Aoife! I’m an award-winning illustrator, writer, and comedian from the northside of Dublin. I’ve spent over 12 years working as a freelance illustrator with companies like Guinness, Aldi, Vodafone, Jameson, and SKY.
I’m best known for my children’s graphic novel series Frankie’s World, inspired by my own experiences growing up autistic. Released in 2022 with Scholastic, it has been translated into seven languages, including Spanish, Polish, and Korean, and won Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year at The Week Junior Book Awards 2023. It was also shortlisted for Children’s Book of the Year at the An Post Book Awards.
I’m also the author of the Your One Nikita books, which were adapted into an animated TV series for the RTE Player, animated and produced by Digital Beast.
When I’m not writing or illustrating, I perform stand-up comedy and speak at creative events, including Offset and major Irish festivals like Vodafone Comedy Festival, Body & Soul, and Electric Picnic
I’m best known for my children’s graphic novel series Frankie’s World, inspired by my own experiences growing up autistic. Released in 2022 with Scholastic, it has been translated into seven languages, including Spanish, Polish, and Korean, and won Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year at The Week Junior Book Awards 2023. It was also shortlisted for Children’s Book of the Year at the An Post Book Awards.
I’m also the author of the Your One Nikita books, which were adapted into an animated TV series for the RTE Player, animated and produced by Digital Beast.
When I’m not writing or illustrating, I perform stand-up comedy and speak at creative events, including Offset and major Irish festivals like Vodafone Comedy Festival, Body & Soul, and Electric Picnic
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 11, 2024
4 ⭐️ for my 9yro, 2-3⭐️ to me. I thought the message was cool, but the story was too preachy as if written solely to give a moral lesson. No nuances, obvious dialogues, boring.
March 26, 2023
A heartwarming, funny, and authentic graphic novel series for middle grade readers, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical. 🧡
April 14, 2024
Representation: Main and side characters with autism, a physical disability and dyslexia, Black characters
Trigger warnings: Bullying, divorce
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
I wanted to read this for a while and after a long period later I finally picked it up and read it. When I finished it I had so many thoughts about this book, for one I haven't seen a main character with this attribute in ages, specifically months ago and for another this was another enjoyable novel though it doesn't hold up to other ones I've enjoyed more. Did I mention this was the second book in a series yet the library didn't bother to get the first one yet? I get that this can be read as a standalone but I'm a little dissatisfied at my library. It starts with the main character Frankie (wait, I've heard of that name before) who has autism at least according to the book. She transferred to a new school and already there are some points I want to talk about, Frankie said almost none of her friends from her old school came here and there are some as far as I know, reasonable rules; Frankie thinks otherwise. A critical plot point is the Battle of the Bands at school and since Frankie likes music she decides to join in. However at that point the antagonist arrives whose name I forgot who knows Frankie has autism (it's complicated how she knows but she is the daughter of Frankie's biological mother who left) and she's still a bully if she was one in the first book. That character would even go as far as to frame Frankie which I found disgusting and the solution? Crash her party which when I think about it doesn't make much sense but there's some footage now of that character talking about Frankie, that's understandable. The ending was wholesome as the antagonist during the band competition didn't receive much praise (From this point on everyone knows Frankie has autism.) Frankie's band did. Wow. I'm wondering if there could be a third book in the series, and in that case I'd be happy to read it.
Trigger warnings: Bullying, divorce
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
I wanted to read this for a while and after a long period later I finally picked it up and read it. When I finished it I had so many thoughts about this book, for one I haven't seen a main character with this attribute in ages, specifically months ago and for another this was another enjoyable novel though it doesn't hold up to other ones I've enjoyed more. Did I mention this was the second book in a series yet the library didn't bother to get the first one yet? I get that this can be read as a standalone but I'm a little dissatisfied at my library. It starts with the main character Frankie (wait, I've heard of that name before) who has autism at least according to the book. She transferred to a new school and already there are some points I want to talk about, Frankie said almost none of her friends from her old school came here and there are some as far as I know, reasonable rules; Frankie thinks otherwise. A critical plot point is the Battle of the Bands at school and since Frankie likes music she decides to join in. However at that point the antagonist arrives whose name I forgot who knows Frankie has autism (it's complicated how she knows but she is the daughter of Frankie's biological mother who left) and she's still a bully if she was one in the first book. That character would even go as far as to frame Frankie which I found disgusting and the solution? Crash her party which when I think about it doesn't make much sense but there's some footage now of that character talking about Frankie, that's understandable. The ending was wholesome as the antagonist during the band competition didn't receive much praise (From this point on everyone knows Frankie has autism.) Frankie's band did. Wow. I'm wondering if there could be a third book in the series, and in that case I'd be happy to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
An excellent graphic novel for readers aged 11+ that focuses on the challenge of finding your voice as a young person in a simple, but highly relatable, and effective way. All about a 12year old autistic girl who has just started secondary school and must navigate lots of changes including learning new rules, making new friends and figuring out new ways of dealing with old worries (and bullies!), this is sure to become a firm favourite in any senior primary school library! I particularly like that the author is #actuallyautistic because it gives me scope to have deeper conversations with my pupils about the importance of representation and the fact that she's Irish is a nice bonus too :)
June 11, 2023
📖The sequel to Frankie’s World. An autistic girl is about to start secondary school and is experiencing all the same anxieties we all go through at that stage of life. But Frankie gets a chance to make new friends through a battle of the bands, but will Nadine, a bully from Frankie’s past, let her?
💭I really enjoyed Frankie’s World so I was looking forward to what would happen next! Finding My Voice is as funny as Frankie’s World, and the story is a little more grounded than the first book. Frankie has to not only struggle through the change of going to secondary school, but she also has to put up with neurodivergent-based bullying. It’s really interesting to see Frankie’s anxiety over this, but not see her friends or peers really get upset or care about it. Aoife keeps the same unique art style that I’ve come to love, and I feel her characters are more varied and interesting this time around.
Read this if you like:
🧠Neurodivergent Characters
🎸Rock Music
💪Overcoming bullying
🌱Coming of Age stories
💭I really enjoyed Frankie’s World so I was looking forward to what would happen next! Finding My Voice is as funny as Frankie’s World, and the story is a little more grounded than the first book. Frankie has to not only struggle through the change of going to secondary school, but she also has to put up with neurodivergent-based bullying. It’s really interesting to see Frankie’s anxiety over this, but not see her friends or peers really get upset or care about it. Aoife keeps the same unique art style that I’ve come to love, and I feel her characters are more varied and interesting this time around.
Read this if you like:
🧠Neurodivergent Characters
🎸Rock Music
💪Overcoming bullying
🌱Coming of Age stories
August 9, 2023
A superb sequel to Frankie's World (note you don't have to read the books in order)
Frankie is due to start high school and has the same worries as any teenager, she has the added worry of the school bully sharing that she is Autistic. Frankie, with the help of friends and teachers (as I teacher I love to see a positive teacher role model in a book - we are out there!) Starts to find her voice and to accept who she is!
Love this journey of worry, fear and acceptance.
The added mention of Cork and mam is perfect - Aoife is an Irish author and doesn't shy away from this. I didn't read many books when growing up set at home in Ireland. It's important that all children see themselves and where they are from reflected in books.
Frankie is due to start high school and has the same worries as any teenager, she has the added worry of the school bully sharing that she is Autistic. Frankie, with the help of friends and teachers (as I teacher I love to see a positive teacher role model in a book - we are out there!) Starts to find her voice and to accept who she is!
Love this journey of worry, fear and acceptance.
The added mention of Cork and mam is perfect - Aoife is an Irish author and doesn't shy away from this. I didn't read many books when growing up set at home in Ireland. It's important that all children see themselves and where they are from reflected in books.
February 29, 2024
Aoife Doodley is back with another bestseller! Sequel to Frankie’s World, Finding My Voice is a book even better than it’s predecessor.
The second book follows Frankie into Secondary School - and it isn’t going to be a walk in the park! From the “no talking in class” rule to the fact that Nadine, Frankie’s old bully from primary, is attending St Anthony’s! And Frankie thought she had to be kept back in Year 6! But when the Battle of the Bands is announced, she couldn’t be more excited - but for Battle of the Bands, you need to have a band, which means you need to be good at making friends... Will Frankie win the Battle of the Bands, or will her performance flop - and what will she do when an unexpected twist takes place in the performance?
The second book follows Frankie into Secondary School - and it isn’t going to be a walk in the park! From the “no talking in class” rule to the fact that Nadine, Frankie’s old bully from primary, is attending St Anthony’s! And Frankie thought she had to be kept back in Year 6! But when the Battle of the Bands is announced, she couldn’t be more excited - but for Battle of the Bands, you need to have a band, which means you need to be good at making friends... Will Frankie win the Battle of the Bands, or will her performance flop - and what will she do when an unexpected twist takes place in the performance?
March 4, 2024
Another wholesome and pure book about well…finding your voice!
About being yourself despite what others may say or think and trying to make friends.
Glad Frankie isn’t afraid to be herself and is proudly autistic and realises it isn’t anything to be ashamed or embarrassed about!
Glad she made good friends who are supportive! I like the song they sand at Battle of the Bands…very important message that being different isn’t a BAD thing and that you’ll find your people who like you for you!
December 25, 2025
I find it a bit, not convincing that a 12 year-old autistic child has a lot of meaningful intimate friendships at her school and is able to comprehend "being yourself", "purpose of life", "overcome stage fear", "forgive bullies", "build a solid relationship with her dad who she met for the first time in 11 years", "wrap her head around autism" etc... all of which happens within a year.
It is too unrealistic.
Maybe 12 year old out there are mature and beautiful like that but it's a bit of a stretch when I read a book like this.
It is too unrealistic.
Maybe 12 year old out there are mature and beautiful like that but it's a bit of a stretch when I read a book like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2025
Me ha gustado bastante esta historia, que creo que va más bien dirigido a un público joven, pero un adulto lo disfrutará igual, de hecho trae recuerdos de la época del instituto.
Frankie es un personaje que me ha parecido auténtico, ella tiene TEA y me ha gustado como la autora trata este tema con total naturalidad.
Es una historia que habla sobre superación, aceptarse a uno mismo y como dice el título de la novela gráfica: buscar tú voz propia.
Frankie es un personaje que me ha parecido auténtico, ella tiene TEA y me ha gustado como la autora trata este tema con total naturalidad.
Es una historia que habla sobre superación, aceptarse a uno mismo y como dice el título de la novela gráfica: buscar tú voz propia.
March 30, 2023
An amazing addition to the series. With two autistic children it’s always a pleasure to get a small glimpse in to their world. Definitely my favourite graphic novel series.
April 16, 2023
The art doesn't rlly fit the book it's rlly corporate arts style but it was an interesting read. I don't agree with the whole be friends with your bully to fix all your problems tho
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2023
3.5 stars
February 18, 2024
Really enjoyed this short book
May 16, 2024
I didn’t read the first - still liked this one. Good friendships, perhaps a little simplistic?
June 9, 2024
Didn't realise this was the second book, but looks like I'll have to locate it in the library.
October 1, 2025
La Frankie comença l'institut, i les pors d'anunciar el seu autisme, el canvi d'escola i d'amigues se li fan una mica feixucs. Sort en tindrà de la seva nova banda de música.
October 28, 2025
I’ve read this book 3 - 4 times and enjoyed each read as much as the first! The story is amazing and has a good moral to it aswell !
March 18, 2023
I loved the first book in this middle grade graphic novel series and this one did not disappoint.
I love Frankie and I loved watching her journey to the Battle of the Bands!
What I love the most about this series is the representation. Not only does it look at Autism and the struggles growing up with it but it also deals with a lot of topics such as bullying, fitting in and friendship. It's very clear how important this book is to Aoife as it's inspired by her real-life experiences and to me that just makes it even more special.
Finding My Voice is a quick, heart-warming story about self-acceptance which is something everyone can relate to!
I love Frankie and I loved watching her journey to the Battle of the Bands!
What I love the most about this series is the representation. Not only does it look at Autism and the struggles growing up with it but it also deals with a lot of topics such as bullying, fitting in and friendship. It's very clear how important this book is to Aoife as it's inspired by her real-life experiences and to me that just makes it even more special.
Finding My Voice is a quick, heart-warming story about self-acceptance which is something everyone can relate to!
November 11, 2023
Gosh this just screams ‘embrace who you are and be proud of it’ and I’m so here for it. This made me chuckle and made me smile. Kids need these stories about being yourself and not letting others get you down for it. This is going to be so popular in my classroom!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews