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Frankie's World #1
Frankie's World
How do you fit in and stand out when you feel different to everyone around you?
Frankie knows she’s not like anyone else in her class: she’s different, but she can’t quite figure out why. Is it the new freckle on her nose, or the fact she’s small for her age? Or that she has to go to the hospital sometimes? Everyone else seems to think she’s weird too, and they make fun of her at school.
Frankie’s dad left when she was a baby – maybe he was different too? It would explain why she always feels like an alien. So she and her best-friend Sam, embark on a mission to track him down.
Frankie knows she’s not like anyone else in her class: she’s different, but she can’t quite figure out why. Is it the new freckle on her nose, or the fact she’s small for her age? Or that she has to go to the hospital sometimes? Everyone else seems to think she’s weird too, and they make fun of her at school.
Frankie’s dad left when she was a baby – maybe he was different too? It would explain why she always feels like an alien. So she and her best-friend Sam, embark on a mission to track him down.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2022
27 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Aoife Dooley
18 books15 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 7, 2024
Frankie loves 4 things - Art, Pizza, waffles and Rock Music!
Frankie always thinks she's different because she's the shortest in her class. People also say she talks too much. She also goes to the hospital a lot because she's not growing much. And one day Frankie's mum took her to karate to stand up for herself. Then one day she stands up for herself to Nadine, she feels a lot better. Frankie wants to find her dad and her friends help her and when she finds him she finds out that her and her dad are different. what is it about them that is different? I loved everything in this book.
Frankie always thinks she's different because she's the shortest in her class. People also say she talks too much. She also goes to the hospital a lot because she's not growing much. And one day Frankie's mum took her to karate to stand up for herself. Then one day she stands up for herself to Nadine, she feels a lot better. Frankie wants to find her dad and her friends help her and when she finds him she finds out that her and her dad are different. what is it about them that is different? I loved everything in this book.
September 16, 2025
A very cool interlude between some more serious reads.
This is a graphic novel aimed at a young audience about Frankie, a primary school student who feels different and has trouble making friends.
This is a graphic novel aimed at a young audience about Frankie, a primary school student who feels different and has trouble making friends.
January 21, 2022
This was so fun! Great read if you like silly middlegrade, with lots of depth too
February 19, 2022
A vibrant and fun read that’s perfect for younger readers.
December 16, 2022
Actual rating: 1.5 stars
I feel like kind of a jerk for giving this such a low rating. At its core, it really does have a wonderful message and I love that there's autism rep (from an autistic creator). However, there were some technical aspects to this that kept pulling me out of the story.
Specifically, scene transitions were super abrupt. Sometimes weeks would go by at the turn of a page. I don't mind a brisk pace, but this almost gave me whiplash.
There was also one scene in particular that really drove me up a wall:
+ Frankie and her friend are on a field trip and jump in a giant mud puddle up to their waists right before Frankie's bully appears to harass Frankie. The panel shows Frankie as still in the puddle when the bully arrives.
+ In the next panel, Frankie has been teleported out of the mud puddle and is right in front of her bully, who pushes her.
+ Frankie manages to defend herself and the bully falls in the mud puddle. Frankie notes that she's happy she isn't wearing nice clothes because her bully is now covered in mud EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WAIST DEEP IN THE PUDDLE HERSELF JUST A MOMENT AGO???
And then there were some things that just weren't to my taste, like the amount of poop jokes, some that felt completely shoe-horned in (but ymmv and this is for kids, so 🤷♀️).
Sadly not for me, but I think this could be a good recommendation for younger readers who are fan of titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, etc.
I feel like kind of a jerk for giving this such a low rating. At its core, it really does have a wonderful message and I love that there's autism rep (from an autistic creator). However, there were some technical aspects to this that kept pulling me out of the story.
Specifically, scene transitions were super abrupt. Sometimes weeks would go by at the turn of a page. I don't mind a brisk pace, but this almost gave me whiplash.
There was also one scene in particular that really drove me up a wall:
+ Frankie and her friend are on a field trip and jump in a giant mud puddle up to their waists right before Frankie's bully appears to harass Frankie. The panel shows Frankie as still in the puddle when the bully arrives.
+ In the next panel, Frankie has been teleported out of the mud puddle and is right in front of her bully, who pushes her.
+ Frankie manages to defend herself and the bully falls in the mud puddle. Frankie notes that she's happy she isn't wearing nice clothes because her bully is now covered in mud EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WAIST DEEP IN THE PUDDLE HERSELF JUST A MOMENT AGO???
And then there were some things that just weren't to my taste, like the amount of poop jokes, some that felt completely shoe-horned in (but ymmv and this is for kids, so 🤷♀️).
Sadly not for me, but I think this could be a good recommendation for younger readers who are fan of titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, etc.
February 20, 2022
A very sweet, funny and touching book about not quite fitting in. As someone who was once a kid who didn't know they were autistic, I found a lot of Frankie's experiences extremely relatable.
I appreciated how it's not really a book about autism though: it's more about taking pride in your weirdness, and celebrating the things that make us different... and about childhood adventures, because this is a fun book for kids, not a sermon.
I appreciated how it's not really a book about autism though: it's more about taking pride in your weirdness, and celebrating the things that make us different... and about childhood adventures, because this is a fun book for kids, not a sermon.
January 4, 2022
I was incredibly lucky to be able to read an early copy of this wonderful graphic novel about finding family and autism a few months back, and immediately fell for Aoife Dooley's wit, storytelling and gorgeous brightly coloured artwork.
Frankie is small, totally into punk rock and is different from the other kids. Sometimes the world seems so loud and bright, never mind all the hospital trips she has to make. Maybe the missing piece is her dad, who she hasn't seen for years... Perhaps if she finds him, she might solve the mystery of why she's so different. She'll get on with that as soon as her bullies and school and everything else stop being quite so annoying.
I absolutely loved Frankie's story of searching for self-understanding and self-acceptance, and resonated so much with the relief of autism as the answer you've been looking for. I laughed out loud a bunch of times reading it too, which I think is very much the sign of a great book if it can make you feel and laugh all at once.
This is a great debut from Aoife Dooley, recommended for anyone aged 8+ and especially young people who've just found out they're autistic. It’s out this Thursday!!
Frankie is small, totally into punk rock and is different from the other kids. Sometimes the world seems so loud and bright, never mind all the hospital trips she has to make. Maybe the missing piece is her dad, who she hasn't seen for years... Perhaps if she finds him, she might solve the mystery of why she's so different. She'll get on with that as soon as her bullies and school and everything else stop being quite so annoying.
I absolutely loved Frankie's story of searching for self-understanding and self-acceptance, and resonated so much with the relief of autism as the answer you've been looking for. I laughed out loud a bunch of times reading it too, which I think is very much the sign of a great book if it can make you feel and laugh all at once.
This is a great debut from Aoife Dooley, recommended for anyone aged 8+ and especially young people who've just found out they're autistic. It’s out this Thursday!!
June 8, 2024
Interesting... 🥴
August 28, 2022
I loved the art in this book, and it’s got a great message, but I found a lot of the transitions between scenes very abrupt, to the point where I was frequently going back to see if I had missed a page. Some instances of disordered word balloons also created some bumps in the reading experience.
March 26, 2023
A heartwarming, funny, and authentic graphic novel series for middle grade readers, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical. 🧡
February 15, 2023
"- Fuuj, po co w ogóle wystawia się ludzi po śmierci?
- Nie wiem. Po ostatnie sefie?
- Nigdy wcześniej nie widziałam, żeby ktoś jadł kanapkę i płakał jednocześnie.
- Ostatnie, czego bym chciała, to żeby ktoś nakruszył mi do trumny".
🙃⚰️
Myślał_ś tak podczas stypy? Przesada?! To tylko racjonalne myślenie dzieci🧠, które zadają pytania tam, gdy my już nic nie dostrzegamy. Cóż za absurd, że w żałobie, z zatkanym nosem i spuchniętą od płaczu twarzą znajdujemy czas na wybór między flaczkami a rosołem🍜.
Mam jeszcze jedno pytanie: wolisz mieć gluty zamiast palców czy puszczać 50 bąków dziennie💨? Tylko poważne odpowiedzi!
🙃
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Czy potrafisz przez chwile nie myśleć? Umiesz wyciszyć szum w głowie? Przestać zbierać jednocześnie wszystkie dźwięki z okolicy i własne potoki słów, które odbywają się w głowie?! 📻🎶Jeśli nie, to prawdopodobnie musisz znaleźć odpowiedni podręcznik📚 do obsługi swojego mózgu 🧠tak jak zrobiła to bohaterka komiksu Aoife Dooley (@aoife_dooley) "Świat Frankie" wydanego przez Wydawnictwo Kropka (@wydawnictwo_kropka). 🟠
Frankie czuje, że nie pasuje do reszty, ale jest młodą osobą, więc zakłada, że coś z nią musi być nie tak, bo jest dziwna (słucha rocka🎸, nienawidzi popu, ubiera się na czarno🦹🏻♀️). Postanawia dowiedzieć się od swoich rodziców, co może być tego przyczyną i przy okazji sprawdzić, czy nie są oni kosmitami👽.
W komiksie na podstawie doświadczeń Dooley z drogą do diagnozy autyzmu przeczytamy małą sprawę kryminalną, zabawną opowieść o dziecięcych bolączkach i traumach szkolnych oraz o zbawiennym wpływie diagnozy (co mnie zawsze rozczula).
Książkę opatrzono przystępnie napisanymi informacjami o autyzmie i cechach dobrego przyjaciela. Polecam wszystkim, a przede wszystkim czytelnikom w wieku 8-12 lat, bo proces dorastania jest jednym z trudniejszych momentów w życiu, więc warto podpatrzeć, jak radzą sobie z nim inni.
#komiks #powieśćgraficzna #powiescgraficzna #bookstagram #terazczytam #czytaniejestfajne #czytanietopasja #czytambolubie #czytam #nowościksiążkowe #autyzmdziecięcy #autyzmmnieniedefiniuje❗ #spektrumautyzmu #spektrum #autystyczny #atypowy #neuroróżnorodność #neuroatypical #frankie #frankiesworld
- Nie wiem. Po ostatnie sefie?
- Nigdy wcześniej nie widziałam, żeby ktoś jadł kanapkę i płakał jednocześnie.
- Ostatnie, czego bym chciała, to żeby ktoś nakruszył mi do trumny".
🙃⚰️
Myślał_ś tak podczas stypy? Przesada?! To tylko racjonalne myślenie dzieci🧠, które zadają pytania tam, gdy my już nic nie dostrzegamy. Cóż za absurd, że w żałobie, z zatkanym nosem i spuchniętą od płaczu twarzą znajdujemy czas na wybór między flaczkami a rosołem🍜.
Mam jeszcze jedno pytanie: wolisz mieć gluty zamiast palców czy puszczać 50 bąków dziennie💨? Tylko poważne odpowiedzi!
🙃
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Czy potrafisz przez chwile nie myśleć? Umiesz wyciszyć szum w głowie? Przestać zbierać jednocześnie wszystkie dźwięki z okolicy i własne potoki słów, które odbywają się w głowie?! 📻🎶Jeśli nie, to prawdopodobnie musisz znaleźć odpowiedni podręcznik📚 do obsługi swojego mózgu 🧠tak jak zrobiła to bohaterka komiksu Aoife Dooley (@aoife_dooley) "Świat Frankie" wydanego przez Wydawnictwo Kropka (@wydawnictwo_kropka). 🟠
Frankie czuje, że nie pasuje do reszty, ale jest młodą osobą, więc zakłada, że coś z nią musi być nie tak, bo jest dziwna (słucha rocka🎸, nienawidzi popu, ubiera się na czarno🦹🏻♀️). Postanawia dowiedzieć się od swoich rodziców, co może być tego przyczyną i przy okazji sprawdzić, czy nie są oni kosmitami👽.
W komiksie na podstawie doświadczeń Dooley z drogą do diagnozy autyzmu przeczytamy małą sprawę kryminalną, zabawną opowieść o dziecięcych bolączkach i traumach szkolnych oraz o zbawiennym wpływie diagnozy (co mnie zawsze rozczula).
Książkę opatrzono przystępnie napisanymi informacjami o autyzmie i cechach dobrego przyjaciela. Polecam wszystkim, a przede wszystkim czytelnikom w wieku 8-12 lat, bo proces dorastania jest jednym z trudniejszych momentów w życiu, więc warto podpatrzeć, jak radzą sobie z nim inni.
#komiks #powieśćgraficzna #powiescgraficzna #bookstagram #terazczytam #czytaniejestfajne #czytanietopasja #czytambolubie #czytam #nowościksiążkowe #autyzmdziecięcy #autyzmmnieniedefiniuje❗ #spektrumautyzmu #spektrum #autystyczny #atypowy #neuroróżnorodność #neuroatypical #frankie #frankiesworld
April 25, 2022
Frankie has always had trouble fitting in. So much so that she has wondered if in fact she is an alien. She talks too much in class, says the wrong thing in the worst moments and is small for her age. Her quirky personality and lack of height makes her the perfect target for two bullies in her class – Nadine and Shauna. Frankie also has to have regular hospital visits about her growth. This is something she wants to stay secret from her classmates – especially the injections in her bum!
It’s not all bad though. She has a loyal friend called Sam at her side, and she has just begun Karate lessons to help with her confidence. But the more she thinks about her differences the more she wants to know why. Maybe her dad is an alien? She can’t remember him and it would explain so much. Putting their heads together, Frankie and Sam decide to do some digging on her dad.
After some commando crawling (under her mum and stepdad’s bed – while he’s in it), finding another friend and meeting an old punk who tells her that being different is good, Frankie is feeling better about things. But she still hasn’t found her dad. Other worries have come her way too. Mum is sick, school is messy and Nadine and Shauna are planning something nasty for their upcoming school trip.
Her friends have stuck by her, keen to help. With her new found karate confidence, her friend’s help and the courage they give her, Frankie finally learns she’s not even a little bit alien – but autistic like her dad.
Illustrated in orange, blue and black tones, this fun and funky graphic novel not only captures middle school well, but the confusion of a child with undiagnosed autism.
There is much more packed into this story – class bullies, friendships, blended families, trying new things (karate), and discovering who you are.
In the rear of the book is more information about Autism including a description, and facts & myths. Just as important is a page on how to be a good friend, and a way to discover your own funny superhero name.
Great read. 9+
It’s not all bad though. She has a loyal friend called Sam at her side, and she has just begun Karate lessons to help with her confidence. But the more she thinks about her differences the more she wants to know why. Maybe her dad is an alien? She can’t remember him and it would explain so much. Putting their heads together, Frankie and Sam decide to do some digging on her dad.
After some commando crawling (under her mum and stepdad’s bed – while he’s in it), finding another friend and meeting an old punk who tells her that being different is good, Frankie is feeling better about things. But she still hasn’t found her dad. Other worries have come her way too. Mum is sick, school is messy and Nadine and Shauna are planning something nasty for their upcoming school trip.
Her friends have stuck by her, keen to help. With her new found karate confidence, her friend’s help and the courage they give her, Frankie finally learns she’s not even a little bit alien – but autistic like her dad.
Illustrated in orange, blue and black tones, this fun and funky graphic novel not only captures middle school well, but the confusion of a child with undiagnosed autism.
There is much more packed into this story – class bullies, friendships, blended families, trying new things (karate), and discovering who you are.
In the rear of the book is more information about Autism including a description, and facts & myths. Just as important is a page on how to be a good friend, and a way to discover your own funny superhero name.
Great read. 9+
January 4, 2022
So excited to have a finished copy of Frankie's World by @aoife_dooley in my hands! I was incredibly lucky to be able to read an early copy of this wonderful graphic novel about finding family and autism a few months back, and immediately fell for Aoife Dooley's wit, storytelling and gorgeous brightly coloured artwork.
Frankie is small, totally into punk rock and is different from the other kids. Sometimes the world seems so loud and bright, never mind all the hospital trips she has to make. Maybe the missing piece is her dad, who she hasn't seen for years... Perhaps if she finds him, she might solve the mystery of why she's so different. She'll get on with that as soon as her bullies and school and everything else stop being quite so annoying.
I absolutely loved Frankie's story of searching for self-understanding and self-acceptance, and resonated so much with the relief of autism as the answer you've been looking for. I laughed out loud a bunch of times reading it too, which I think is very much the sign of a great book if it can make you feel and laugh all at once.
This is a great debut from Aoife Dooley, recommended for anyone aged 8+ and especially young people who've just found out they're autistic. It’s out this Thursday!! ♾
Frankie is small, totally into punk rock and is different from the other kids. Sometimes the world seems so loud and bright, never mind all the hospital trips she has to make. Maybe the missing piece is her dad, who she hasn't seen for years... Perhaps if she finds him, she might solve the mystery of why she's so different. She'll get on with that as soon as her bullies and school and everything else stop being quite so annoying.
I absolutely loved Frankie's story of searching for self-understanding and self-acceptance, and resonated so much with the relief of autism as the answer you've been looking for. I laughed out loud a bunch of times reading it too, which I think is very much the sign of a great book if it can make you feel and laugh all at once.
This is a great debut from Aoife Dooley, recommended for anyone aged 8+ and especially young people who've just found out they're autistic. It’s out this Thursday!! ♾
December 4, 2021
Thank you to Harriet Dunlea at Scholastic for sending me a copy of the gorgeous graphic novel 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗘'𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 by Aoife Dooley 🧡🪐🎀🩹💀🙂🛸👽🎮🧠
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𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗜'𝗠 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗜 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗬. 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗠 𝗜 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪?
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Frankie's World follows 11 year old Frankie, who is trying to navigate school, cope with her Mum being poorly, and understand herself better, despite feeling like an alien and like she doesn't fit in with her peers.
One thing I loved about Frankie's story is that, while it shone a light and gave a great perspective on neurodiversity, it also reiterates the fact that Frankie does have all of the same tribulations and worries of any other 11 year old; she may have her own specific challenges to face, but she isn't as different as she might think.
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦, 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗢 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦.
𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙. 𝗜 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗢 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘.
𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧, 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗. 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟.
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Frankie has friends that support her and make an effort to understand and appreciate her for who she really is.
In making these friendships, standing up to her bullies, and getting to know her Dad, Frankie learns to accept her differences.
Similar to any young person who feels like they don't fit in, Frankie has to learn to recognise that her differences make her special, and that the world is a much better place for her, and her unique ways of seeing and interacting with the world.
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𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗬, 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧.
𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧, 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗘.
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Frankie's World is genuinely heartwarming and funny. The story covers some really important topics alongside neurodiversity, including self-acceptance, what it means to be family, the importance of friendship, and treating people with kindness.
Plus the artwork is so vibrant and cool - it reminds me a bit of Tracy Beaker, which I used to read a lot when I was younger.
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𝗜'𝗠 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧, 𝗡𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗜𝗦. 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗜'𝗠 𝗠𝗘!
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I would love to hear more from Frankie, and would absolutely read more by Aoife Dooley.
Although this book is aimed at middle-grade readers, I genuinely think it can be enjoyed by everyone, and you might even learn some facts about neurodiversity and autism that you didn't previously realise.
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𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗜'𝗠 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗜 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗬. 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗠 𝗜 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪?
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Frankie's World follows 11 year old Frankie, who is trying to navigate school, cope with her Mum being poorly, and understand herself better, despite feeling like an alien and like she doesn't fit in with her peers.
One thing I loved about Frankie's story is that, while it shone a light and gave a great perspective on neurodiversity, it also reiterates the fact that Frankie does have all of the same tribulations and worries of any other 11 year old; she may have her own specific challenges to face, but she isn't as different as she might think.
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦, 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗢 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦.
𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙. 𝗜 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗢 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘.
𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧, 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗. 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟.
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Frankie has friends that support her and make an effort to understand and appreciate her for who she really is.
In making these friendships, standing up to her bullies, and getting to know her Dad, Frankie learns to accept her differences.
Similar to any young person who feels like they don't fit in, Frankie has to learn to recognise that her differences make her special, and that the world is a much better place for her, and her unique ways of seeing and interacting with the world.
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𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗬, 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧.
𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧, 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗘.
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Frankie's World is genuinely heartwarming and funny. The story covers some really important topics alongside neurodiversity, including self-acceptance, what it means to be family, the importance of friendship, and treating people with kindness.
Plus the artwork is so vibrant and cool - it reminds me a bit of Tracy Beaker, which I used to read a lot when I was younger.
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𝗜'𝗠 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧, 𝗡𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗜𝗦. 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗜'𝗠 𝗠𝗘!
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I would love to hear more from Frankie, and would absolutely read more by Aoife Dooley.
Although this book is aimed at middle-grade readers, I genuinely think it can be enjoyed by everyone, and you might even learn some facts about neurodiversity and autism that you didn't previously realise.
April 9, 2025
I honestly thought it would be just another boring kids book but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought as a teenager.
The story that felt relatable to me, especially as my sister has autism. Reading this book made me understand her perspective a bit better, which was meaningful. The author does a great job balancing humor and serious topics (Like her mom being in the hospital). I appreciated how the book was inclusive. With a wheel-chair user and some mixed races. The writing was simple and easy to read, making it an enjoyable experience.
However, the characters Shauna and Nadine felt a bit one-dimensional. I kept wondering why they were so mean to Frankie. In the beginning, there’s a moment when Nadine’s mom tells her to “suck in that belly,” which hints at deeper issues around body image. I think it would’ve been interesting if the book dove into that more.
The story that felt relatable to me, especially as my sister has autism. Reading this book made me understand her perspective a bit better, which was meaningful. The author does a great job balancing humor and serious topics (Like her mom being in the hospital). I appreciated how the book was inclusive. With a wheel-chair user and some mixed races. The writing was simple and easy to read, making it an enjoyable experience.
However, the characters Shauna and Nadine felt a bit one-dimensional. I kept wondering why they were so mean to Frankie. In the beginning, there’s a moment when Nadine’s mom tells her to “suck in that belly,” which hints at deeper issues around body image. I think it would’ve been interesting if the book dove into that more.
October 2, 2023
I love this so much.
I was diagnosed with autism aged 32 (I'm now 33), so I was really drawn to this book and I've not been disappointed.
I love this story, the characters, and the information about autism at the end. It's great to read a book where autism is represented using the author's lived experience as the foundation. It feels genuine.
Oh and, *checks notes* ... Cosmo Space Pizza. iykyk.
I was diagnosed with autism aged 32 (I'm now 33), so I was really drawn to this book and I've not been disappointed.
I love this story, the characters, and the information about autism at the end. It's great to read a book where autism is represented using the author's lived experience as the foundation. It feels genuine.
Oh and, *checks notes* ... Cosmo Space Pizza. iykyk.
June 11, 2025
This book would be fantastic for primary school children who are neurodivergent. I read this as my daughter bought it home from school and it piqued my interest. It’s very relatable. I laughed and cried throughout! As someone who grew up with undiagnosed autism, it is SO nice to see children these days have books like this with characters who are supportive friends and adults who help them accept and love themselves!
February 6, 2022
I read a lot of graphic books but I have to admit I didn't quite realise that would be pretty much a children's book. But I like Aoife Dooley and I like her work, so I just bought it, and it was a nice fun light read to have with tea and toast on a sunny Sunday morning, with some great positive messages about being different.
Cosmo Waffles.
Cosmo Waffles.
November 20, 2023
Jeju uwielbiam!
Bardzo podoba mi sie kreska i ogl sposób w jaki powstalo to zrobione
Bardzo się utożsamiam,mozliwe ze mam autyzm btw
Poprostu komiks bardzo polecam,jak czujecie sie jak odludek to sięgnijcie po ten komiks
Lub
Jak chcecie sie dowiedzieć w jaki sposob myślą autystycy
(Oczywiście u kazdego moze to wygladac ciut inaczej)
Poprostu,polecam!!
Bardzo mi sie podobalo to ze na koncu byla definicja autyzmu,obalanie i potwierdzanie faktów oraz to ze bylo napisane czym jest prawdziwa przyjazn,kocham!!
Bardzo podoba mi sie kreska i ogl sposób w jaki powstalo to zrobione
Bardzo się utożsamiam,mozliwe ze mam autyzm btw
Poprostu komiks bardzo polecam,jak czujecie sie jak odludek to sięgnijcie po ten komiks
Lub
Jak chcecie sie dowiedzieć w jaki sposob myślą autystycy
(Oczywiście u kazdego moze to wygladac ciut inaczej)
Poprostu,polecam!!
Bardzo mi sie podobalo to ze na koncu byla definicja autyzmu,obalanie i potwierdzanie faktów oraz to ze bylo napisane czym jest prawdziwa przyjazn,kocham!!
Read
January 3, 2022Such a fabulous read for all the young readers in your life. I'd protect Frankie and her pals with my life
April 30, 2022
Having spent the week talking about neurodivergence in library classes, this new graphic novel is perfect to have a window into someone's life. Frankie feels different and often wonders if her brain is broken. Her dad is also not in her life and she wonders if she met him that maybe he would be like her. Loved Frankie's group of friends (and loved seeing a friend in a wheelchair) that support her no matter what and help her go on a quest to find her dad. Great illustrations as well!
October 5, 2022
3,5 stars.
March 28, 2023
TW: parental abandonment, bullying, ableism
The STYLE the COLOURS I'm in love! So awesome to see autistic author's be able to bring their autistic characters to life!
The STYLE the COLOURS I'm in love! So awesome to see autistic author's be able to bring their autistic characters to life!
September 18, 2023
Todella samaistuttava sarjakuva koulukiusatusta autistitytöstä.
March 24, 2024
Great and love that you don't find out who she "is" untill the end. Such a great book for anyone who feels different .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2025
would have loved it, if it were more
September 4, 2023
I think this was a little too serious for a kids graphic novel. Still pretty good though.
January 1, 2023
Very excited to read a middle grade graphic novel from an Irish creator, and Aoife Dooley's Frankie's World brought the kind of freshness and dark humor I'd expect, with a sweet undercurrent of loyal friendship holding together a plot that felt a little disjointed at times. Dooley's art is simple, somewhat stark despite all of the rounded edges, and visually appealing, with blue, orange, white, and black standing out. It was so simple, in fact, that I found it at times distracting because I could not keep some of the characters straight, as they looked so much alike.
To the reader, Frankie is quirky and unique. To Frankie, she feels like an alien at times - like she doesn't fit in, like she doesn't say the right thing, like she seems to annoy the people around her. She gets bullied both physically and emotionally. She struggles with academics. She has sensitivities that others don't understand (such as loud noises and food touching). When she discovers her biological father's name, she sets out on a secret quest to find him in the hopes that she might discover a kindred spirit, someone who can help her better understand herself.
All along, while Frankie perceives herself to be a misfit, it turns out that she fits right in with two very loyal friends who stick together through Frankie's quest and the even more harrowing world of school bullies. Dooley's voice as an autistic creator gives authenticity to Frankie's experience of self-discovery, and her author's note at the end will be priceless for many young readers with autism or with autistic friends and loved ones.
The pacing of the book was way off at times...moving very slowly and then speeding up inexplicably, and there were times when I felt I must have skipped a few pages worth of panels because the plot took big jumps without explanation. Some parts felt unfinished, like the character development of Nadine, the most notorious bully; and others felt sped up at warp speed, like Frankie's relationship to her father.
Despite the somewhat disjointed plot, the jarring pacing, and the (for me) characters who looked too much alike, I'd recommend Frankie's World and will be adding it to my elementary library collection. The appealing cover art, fresh voice, and autism representation will add up to this spending very little time on the shelf waiting for its next reader.
To the reader, Frankie is quirky and unique. To Frankie, she feels like an alien at times - like she doesn't fit in, like she doesn't say the right thing, like she seems to annoy the people around her. She gets bullied both physically and emotionally. She struggles with academics. She has sensitivities that others don't understand (such as loud noises and food touching). When she discovers her biological father's name, she sets out on a secret quest to find him in the hopes that she might discover a kindred spirit, someone who can help her better understand herself.
All along, while Frankie perceives herself to be a misfit, it turns out that she fits right in with two very loyal friends who stick together through Frankie's quest and the even more harrowing world of school bullies. Dooley's voice as an autistic creator gives authenticity to Frankie's experience of self-discovery, and her author's note at the end will be priceless for many young readers with autism or with autistic friends and loved ones.
The pacing of the book was way off at times...moving very slowly and then speeding up inexplicably, and there were times when I felt I must have skipped a few pages worth of panels because the plot took big jumps without explanation. Some parts felt unfinished, like the character development of Nadine, the most notorious bully; and others felt sped up at warp speed, like Frankie's relationship to her father.
Despite the somewhat disjointed plot, the jarring pacing, and the (for me) characters who looked too much alike, I'd recommend Frankie's World and will be adding it to my elementary library collection. The appealing cover art, fresh voice, and autism representation will add up to this spending very little time on the shelf waiting for its next reader.
March 24, 2022
Frankie’s World is a middle-grade graphic novel about how it feels to be different. Frankie talks a lot, and always says the wrong thing. She loves eating pizza and waffles but hates it when her food touches other foods on her plate. She is bullied at school, where she finds it impossible to concentrate, and somehow she always seems to be in trouble. She is, in short, a square peg trying to jam herself into the round hole that is the world around her, and she doesn’t understand why. Frankie lives with her Mum and doesn’t know her Dad, but one day she decides to go looking for him. She wants to find out if he is as different as she is – could he be an alien? Helped by her best friends she eventually finds him, and in the process finds herself. This is a sweet and touching story about a young girl on a quest to understand and accept herself. Written by an author who received her own autism diagnosis at the age of twenty-seven this the book rings with the authenticity of personal experience. Those who struggle to fit in might see themselves reflected in the pages, and those who do not might learn to understand those who do. The three-tone colour illustrations are superb and the book’s tone remains light and humorous throughout. It is well-done and a welcome addition to stories of neurodiversity, and is particularly unusual in being written from a female perspective. It is so important that children can see themselves, and others, reflected in the pages of the books they read. It is a quick read, a light read, but an important read too.
September 22, 2022
Middle grade graphic novel: contemporary realistic fiction. Frankie is different from the other kids at her school. She is the smallest, and has to visit the doctor regularly to check on her growth. She likes rock music over pop, and has a tendency to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. She also deals with sensory issues, particularly with too-strong smells and too-loud noises. But she has two great friends, and is close to her mother as well. When her mom's heart condition leads to hospitalization, Frankie and her friends go on a quest to locate Frankie's birth father. Frankie hopes that she inherited some of his quirks and that meeting him will make her feel less alone.
This was a nice story of finding yourself. I liked how the friendships with Sam and Rebecca were portrayed, they always saw the best in Frankie. I also appreciated the closeness with her mother as so many middle grade books ignore the parental relationship. When this friend trio snuck out, they faced being grounded or extra chores which seemed reasonable and relatable. Some readers may suspect the truth about Frankie's differences before it is revealed, but for some it might click as it did for Frankie herself.
This was a nice story of finding yourself. I liked how the friendships with Sam and Rebecca were portrayed, they always saw the best in Frankie. I also appreciated the closeness with her mother as so many middle grade books ignore the parental relationship. When this friend trio snuck out, they faced being grounded or extra chores which seemed reasonable and relatable. Some readers may suspect the truth about Frankie's differences before it is revealed, but for some it might click as it did for Frankie herself.
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