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FRANK

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" Frank is, frankly, a priceless gem." - Foluso Falaye

"This is a compassionate story full of adventure, lasting friendships, and the power of family love, as well as the need to feel a sense of belonging. An exciting read full of hope, promise, and, of course, science." - Emily-Jane Hills Orford

"Author Ece Gurler has crafted a truly excellent work that ticks all the boxes to engage and excite the MG reading audience. I would highly recommend Frank as a high-quality reading gift for the little bright sparks in your life to devour." - K.C. Finn

Have you ever dreamt of an alternate world? A world full of second chances and lost dreams, found again. Just like the one Frank has stumbled upon.

Frank, an eleven-year-old science nerd, fashions a hiding place in his closet with his favorite things. He calls it the "Aurora Shell", where he retreats whenever he feels upset or scared. The day he learns that he was adopted, he discovers an empty space behind his Big Bang Theory poster, in the Aurora Shell. He decides to crawl in and find out what awaits him at the end of this dark tunnel. There, he meets an incredibly cheerful kid, Andy, who becomes his first true friend. Soon after they realize that this is not just a simple passage, but it is a bridge that connects two parallel universes! Frustrated that he was unwanted by his biological parents in his own world, Frank decides to take his chance in this new universe to gain acceptance. Maybe this time his parents would welcome him and love him? Grabbing their backpacks, the two friends set out on a quest to find Frank's birth parents in Andy's universe. In the beginning of their journey, everything looks brand new and astonishing to Frank. But this adventure will hold dangers they never could have imagined. Will they be able to survive the grave challenges and find Frank's family in the end? Was their secret going to cause them trouble?

Ece Gurler's middle-grade novel, Frank, is an excellent coming of age story for young readers who are 7-12 years old. Following the quest of one eleven-year-old science genius, Frank, readers will share experiences and sentiments that might mirror some of their own. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns as the two main characters, Frank and his alternate dimension counterpart, Andy, discover new realities in worlds full of chances and dreams, both lost and real. This science fiction story will introduce young readers to the wide world of fascinating discoveries, like penicillin and electricity, and how much fun learning about science can be (as well as being useful).

222 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

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Ece Gurler

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Thais • tata.lifepages •.
633 reviews1,063 followers
January 30, 2021
Frank is a very smart kid who loves science, but finds himself troubling in social situations. He created his hiding place, called the “Aurora Shell”, to withdraw to whenever he doesn’t feel right. He retreats to his secret spot after learning that he was adopted, and accidentally finds a wormhole to another parallel universe, where he makes a friend; Andy.

The story flows smoothly with the right amount of adventure peaks to keep you intrigued throughout the entire novel, it is easy to grasp and the scientific background is very clear which is ideal for kids. There was a nice balance between the action moments and the descriptions and background settings. The element that I enjoyed most about the story is its uplifting mood.
Even though Andy had to face some difficulties, he always stayed positive which sets a good example for handling difficult events to young readers. Frank uses his scientific knowledge to brainstorm ways to get out of difficult situations, which shows to kids that knowledge and science are useful. The story shows how unlikely friendships can be found anywhere, even between these two unique personalities.

“The grass isn’t greener on the other side” is the moral of the story and in this case also the literal message of the book. I love how the book brings a positive messages regarding adoption, it motivates readers to not take anything for granted, and to cherish what you have. I was also fortunate to have little gifts to open from the author as I read to further my reading experience related to certain events in the book.

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book for review!
Profile Image for Carina Pereira.
63 reviews13 followers
January 23, 2021
This is a super sweet story! It contains so many interesting facts, too! Frank is a walking encyclopedia, and he doesn't refrain from spilling all the cool things he knows to anyone who will hear it. So, not only is this a good story about learning the true meaning of family, it is also a great source of little bits of knowledge, and a great way to spike a kid's curiosity!
1 review
September 30, 2020
I started reading “Frank” at a beautiful Santa Cruz Beach on a Sunday morning. What I did for the rest of the day was just to read the whole book. The audience for this book is probably kids but as a mom of two, 6 and 8 years old, I wanted to give it a try first. I can’t wait to share it with my sons. The author did a great job taking you from your world and connecting to the characters’. While reading, I thought it would be a great story for Hollywood film makers.

The story is about a boy named Frank. He is a gifted boy, very much into science. He is not social and loves spending his time in his secret place, a shell in his room. One day while feeling very emotional, he discovers a secret tunnel which results in meeting the second main character from a different universe Andy. The rest of the book is about the adventures of these two characters in both universes. The book also has some pictures related to the story so visualization helps readers with their imagination.
Profile Image for Jonathan Pongratz.
Author 8 books219 followers
February 22, 2021
Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts

3.5/5

I gave this book three and a half stars!

We follow the life of Frank, a smart twelve-year old who loves science and everything fantastical. Around Christmas time, Frank notices his parents acting differently, and when he overhears something very upsetting, he retreats to his sacred space he calls the Aurora Shell. Soon after, Frank discovers a strange tunnel through his closet leading to another universe and goes on a journey that will forever change his life. 

This book was a lot of fun! 

I received this book as a gift from my friend Stacy for Christmas and had to give it a try! I've been reading more YA and adult books lately, and I've missed middle grade so this was the perfect pick for me. 

Frank was a cool main character. He's something of a bookworm for anything science, and it's very clear he's intelligent with a bright future ahead of him. I liked the little facts sprinkled in that he provided and think that's a great touch for a younger audience. Frank also cares about others and has his own difficulties making friends, so he felt very real to me. 

Andy was also portrayed pretty well. Andy is the yin to Frank's yang. He's not great at math or science, but he's excited about things he doesn't understand and he and Frank are great friends to each other. 

The plot was very entertaining, perfect for middle grade. After Frank discovers the other universe, his journey was captivating, and I blazed through this book in just a day. I loved how easy this was to read! I'm addicted to anything about parallel universes, and I was hooked on all the little details that the author included in this book. What  a strange, yet similar world!

There were some small things that detracted from my experience. Some of the dialogue read a little strangely, and I spotted enough typos to mention it here, though it didn't really bug me all that much. I also felt that the structure of the writing could have been a smidgen stronger, but this book has a ton of redeeming qualities, especially for a younger reader. 

If you're looking for a fun middle grade adventure, definitely give this a shot!
Profile Image for Kasey Giard.
Author 1 book65 followers
January 13, 2021
I’m definitely a fan of stories about friendship and family, so even the idea of this book held a lot of appeal for me. I liked that Frank’s family isn’t perfect– they’re going through some hard times, and that impacts their relationships with one another. It also seemed cool that Frank and Andy had very different personalities and ways of dealing with things.

While some of the dialogue was a little bit awkwardly worded, I thought the banter between Frank and Andy added some fun to the story. The pacing slowed a bit toward the middle of the book, and I was surprised by some of the directions the story took, but the speed picked up again toward the end.

On the whole, I think it’s a sweet, if a little bit dark, tale of friendship, family and the multiverse. Ha.
1 review2 followers
October 31, 2020
Frank is a science kid. Frank has few friends and a troubled relationship with his parents. But when Frank discovers a portal to a parallel universe, he discovers not only a world that is different from his own, but a way to resolve some of his problems - and he makes a new friend in the process. He discovers more about himself and how to be a better person:

"In that moment, Frank realized that this was why he never had good friendships. Because he kept correcting others. He didn't want to lose Andy, no, not this time. So he kept his thoughts to himself."

The author has written an interesting story of friendship and family, wrapped up in a science fiction novel that will appeal to many pre-teens. You can tell she cares deeply about her characters, and you join her in wanting them to succeed.

Recommended for kids who have a sense of curiosity, enjoy the scientific view of the world, and like a good story.
1 review
November 20, 2020
Here's what my 8 year old had to say after reading "Frank":
"This book is cool, smart, and scientific. My favourite character is Love. I like the idea of a mirror universe. It's cool that there is a wormhole. Two suns is amazing and hot."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mehmet Soylu.
9 reviews
September 21, 2020
Frank is a very inspiring book to read, especially for young people. It's a story that makes you totally curious and excited. Also as you read it, you understand how friendship, knowledge, family and imaginations can be valuable, even crucial for the rest of your life. I'm sure kids and young people would be impressed by this book very much. It's very easy and simple to read and extremely far from being boring. I hope we can read other books of the story in the future.
1 review1 follower
October 21, 2020
This book is very fascinating and impressive.I really like it.Thanks author.
1 review
September 28, 2020
Amazing insight into the mindset of a 12-year boy who has trouble fitting in with other boys and anxiety about his parents' financial problems. As I was a boy who was in a very similar situation (and shared Frank's love of science), I could immediately identify with him and couldn't wait to take his adventure with him. There is a deft segue (SPOILER ALERT!) into a fascinating vortex in his closet that allows him to meet with a mysterious friend from another dimension. The writing is so realistic and inviting that the reader wholeheartedly excepts this as something that could happen (I know I often pondered other dimensions as a child). The dialogue captures the emotions of the two boys toward each other and others. Well-paced plot and a great ending.
1 review
November 24, 2020
One, if not the most, valuable lesson I took from the books I read growing up, was to understand or feel what another person is experiencing. They taught me about empathy, a quality people never fail to undervalue. Frank is a story about a kid's love for science, a story about secret tunnels and wormholes, and a story about life in parallel universes, but above all Frank is a story about empathy. As I read Frank, I was once again but a kid making friends with the characters of the story, cheering for them, and sharing the pain of their misfortunes. As the reader, we are afforded the opportunity to experience life through the eyes of Frank, and with him, we are welcomed into Andy’s world. As Frank reflected about Andy “maybe, I could learn something from him”, the reader is prompted to learn from both of them. It was a delight to tag along with their adventures, be part of their friendship, and experience their growth. Frank finds a secret tunnel to Andy, but Ece gave us a secret tunnel to Frank. The story was so striking that I still find myself hoping that Love, the cat, is doing well. As if all these were not enough, the reader will get a cheerful kick out of the Star Wars references. In building my child’s library, I wholeheartedly place Frank on the top shelf.
1 review
November 23, 2020
Just in time for the Christmas season, Ece Gürler brings us "Frank", the story of an 11 year old boy who must face the fact that his world is being turned upside down right before the “most wonderful time of the year”. Gürler’s attention to detail allows her to paint vivid pictures with words, transporting the reader and placing them in the story.
Frank is a happy, but lonely child who is content until forces outside of his control cause serious shifts in his family life. Readers, especially young readers, will find Frank’s situation relatable and relevant as it reflects some of the changes millions of families are facing due to the current pandemic and made even more difficult with the approach of the holidays.
"Frank" is a tale that makes us think and rethink about what really matters. Frank wants to get away from his reality, but he finds that the escape only makes him want to return. He learns that family is much more than just biological ties, it is about love. It is a tale that allows the reader to enter a fantasy world. It is accessible sci-fi perfect for middle school aged children.
Profile Image for Emily Hunger.
13 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2020
Frank is the story of an isolated boy who finds solace from the real world in a hidden place he calls his ‘shell’—and yet, from inside this shell, he discovers a whole new universe. It’s a story about how, by opening ourselves up to others, we can open doors within ourselves, as well—to friendship and understanding, to be accepted for who we are, and to appreciate all that we have.

I really loved this book--for me, the characters are the most important part of any story, and the two main characters in Frank make you root for them to the end. In a recent book launch event, the author, Ece Gurler, mentioned that the two main characters complement each other, each providing what the other is missing in terms of their personalities and their outlooks on life. This allows them to support each other in important ways and allows them both to grow. I don't know if that counts as a spoiler, but I love this representation of valuable friendship, and I'm looking forward to future works by this author!
Profile Image for Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) .
1,062 reviews128 followers
August 30, 2021
The lovely author of this book asked me ages ago if I would like to read this book .... I forgot to do a review for it , better late than never I guess ! Here is my honest review .....


In this book we meet Frank an 11year old science lover , he is such a sweet character the kind you just want to hug! Whenever he is scared, frightened or upset he goes into his closet where he has his comfort things , which I am sure a lot of people will be able to identify with ! When he finds a tunnel behind his poster his journey into a parallel world starts !


This is a truly brilliant read , generally aimed at 7-12 year olds but I think it would be fine for young readers from 7 up , it is a book of escapism into a different world and seeing what your life could have been like . It is written in a way that engages the reader to think about what it would be like if it happened to them too. I loved reading this book and getting to explore with Frank. Great for people who like science fiction books and ones where you will learn a few science facts as well !
1 review
December 10, 2020
I really lost track of time reading this book...!! Given the social media, internet, and everything, our lives are all "busy", but for a really long time, I haven't had such a great book with ease of reading, and the action it has. I really give my Kudos to the Author and wish her to write more, as I was literally just couldn't take myself thinking about what's going to happen next in the book.

Another great aspect of the book is I think it has deep layers as of making the reader think about countless and limitless possibilities in our lives, and maybe become more accepting of things rather than constantly complaining. Not at a lot of so-called "self-development" books or videos, etc. could give this to the reader, but this book, after I finished it had a soothing after taste, like "wow, yea, no matter what happens, life will go on, and we will do our best to make the best out of it".

Once again thanks and congratulations to the Author!
1 review
November 22, 2020
Everyone needs a happy place, and the Aurora Shell is Frank’s happy place. Frank is a loveable, science-crazy kid who is also a bit socially awkward, so he turns his closet into a science lover’s dream (aka the Aurora Shell) with books, magazines, posters, and stars - a place where he can escape from the world. When Frank stumbles upon a secret tunnel behind his ‘Big Bang’ poster, he realises that it leads to an alternate universe and this is where we meet Andy. Together, Frank and Andy take us on adventures in two universes but also deal with real-life issues of family, friends, and belonging.

Ece Gurler has created a wonderful book full of science, magic, and adventure, as well as dealing with everyday situations many young readers might be going through in their lives. “Frank” is highly recommended, and I can’t wait to see what Ece has in store for us next!
1 review1 follower
December 3, 2020
This is what my 10 year old said about Frank: “There needs to be a series on Frank and Andy’s adventures!” As she couldn’t get enough of this science-themed, fun and warm book on Frank the young boy who goes to a parallel universe through a hole in his wall to meet another boy, Andy, as they venture out to find answers about Frank’s family.

It is hard to put down this book because, aside from the interesting and fun scientific factoids Frank easily weaves into his dialogues with Andy, I was eager to find out what happens next, then next, then next. Frank and his parallel universe friend Andy learns about each other’s world, share with each other their mixed emotions about their imperfect lives, and in the end learn the true meaning of family and acceptance.

This is an uplifting book for the kids who love friendship and science. A perfect gift for young readers! Highly recommend.
1 review2 followers
December 2, 2020
Have you ever dreamt of an alternate world? This book will captivate you if you are a life-long dreamer, like myself. This is the kind of book you wish you had read when you were a kid. I never liked science when I was growing up, but Frank's love for science and the hidden gems you get to read throughout the book makes you want to get involved with science.
The book is very easy to read and super enjoyable. I don't want to give any spoilers but the adventures of Frank are very unique in a way that you find yourself in a world you probably have never been before. I read it for my nephew and he loved it! He has some favorite moments of Frank and he wants me to read those parts to him constantly.
I totally recommend it to anyone looking for a good book for their kids.
Profile Image for Lina.
209 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2022
Frank has a good life, but his dad has been more and more stressed lately because he’s lost his job. Frank overhears and argument between his parents and learns he’s adopted. Shocked, he runs to his “Aurora Shell” in his closet to feel safe, and he discovers that there’s a hole is his wall behind his Big Bang Theory poster leading to an alternate universe. What lies in store for Frank?

This was a cute story! Frank reminded me of one of the kids I babysit, but instead of random word-for-word facts about tornados and sinkholes, Frank is full of word-for-word facts about physics and space.

The treatment of other children wasn’t good, and hearing about this-universes’ Andy’s experience in foster care especially made me sad, but I enjoyed the ending.
1 review
December 2, 2020
We got it as a gift for a 10-year old, but I started reading on the plane to kill time. I was really impressed! The language is super clear, yet it is well written, with plenty of vivid descriptions. What I liked best is that on top of being an exciting adventure story, it’s also a great way to spark your kid’s interest in science! My sister was really grateful for the gift as she saw her 10-year old reading – I bet that hasn’t happened in a while 😊 A book that can make a kid put away their screen and actually read definitely deserves an all-star rating. Totally recommend for a holiday gift.
Profile Image for Holly.
18 reviews
November 14, 2020
An imaginative multiverse tale! Frank has a loving family, a fascination for science, and a hard time making friends. Until he meets Andy, his counterpart in another universe. Andy has a difficult home life, but a positive attitude. Together, the two boys explore one another's universes, play to one another's strengths, and learn from each other. With fascinating information about space and physics and two utterly charming protagonists, this book is sure to delight kids with a taste for adventure!
1 review1 follower
December 1, 2020
Frank is such a curious little kid that will remind you of yourself or someone you were friends with. I loved how the author slipped in little science facts for the kids reading it. I absolutely loved how Aurora Shell was a nod to the Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe (a fav for kiddos).

Sometimes it's a little hard to believe Frank is 12, which may or may not have been the point. But therein lies the innocence of the book. Would recommend to anyone reading to their elementary or middle-school kids.
1 review
December 1, 2020
I can’t believe that this is her first published work. I enjoyed this story so much, and I’m sure children will as well. It’s a fresh take on what it’s like to be an awkward kid in an unforgiving world. A plot twist will keep you reading. I love all of the references to scientific discoveries and the scientists themselves. Having these incorporated into the story means that kids will get curious and look these discoveries up for themselves. I’m sure a lot of kids will get into science after reading this book!
1 review1 follower
December 2, 2020
I enjoyed completing this book in one sitting. Frank is motivated to go on an adventure of self discovery. It gets intense at parts in ways you wouldn’t think a kid’s book would. Through it all, he learns to rely on himself and his nerdiness to get out of trouble (that he got himself into for that same reason!). He relies on his keen observation, his friendship, his wits, and his creativity. It’s a book that I would read to my son when he’s a little bit older, maybe slightly younger than Frank. I recommend this adventure for sure!
1 review
January 22, 2021
I bought this book as a gift to my son (9 yo). He loved the book! He brought up the adventures of Frank and Andy during our daily talks, talked about the facts he has learned and asked for more stories from Frank. After finishing the book, he left it on my desk and asked me to read it too. Definitely recommending Frank to little book worms like my son and to parents who want to ignite the love of reading in their kids.Ece Gurler
1 review
November 17, 2020

Middle school is a hard adjustment that everyone has to go through. Frank is a great way to escape and deal with hard feelings and difficult family experience. Science meets science fiction in this tale of young Frank who sets out on an adventure of a lifetime in another dimension. When I read this book to my daughter, I had many requests to extend story time, because the book just captures the attention of the reader and pulls them right into the story. Frank is a must read!
1 review
December 1, 2020
The story is very heartwarming. It's impossible not to like and connect with the characters Frank and Andy. Makes the readers seesaw between emotions. A nice page-turner.
The book reminded me of George's Secret Key to the Universe by Hawking. Gurler explains scientific concepts in a way that the kids would enjoy reading even if they are not particularly into science.
Overall, very fun to read, and teaches an important life lesson.
6 reviews
November 16, 2020
I got this book on preorder for my two young nieces - 6 and 4. Both girls absolutely loved it and asked every night during my vacation if I could read them the next chapters! They loved the story line of young Frank and his interest in science. In fact, they even connected it to what THEY knew about science which was even more fun. My nieces especially loved the illustrations!
1 review4 followers
December 1, 2020
I bought this book for my 8 years old daughter. This is her comment about the book. She read it as an ebook, but we also buy a hardcopy for our bookshelf.

This is a story about two boys that go on an adventure when one of the boys find a tunnel and it leads to a different universe and the boy finds the other boy who is Andy. This is an immersive book and it is really good.
1 review
November 10, 2020
Heart-warming and fantastic story of Frank! I could not put the book down, finished in two days. Looking forward to new books of the author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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