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Frank

Overview

" 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

It's three weeks till Christmas and things at 11-year-old Frank's house aren't going well. With his father currently unemployed, his parents aren't in the best of moods and it looks like Christmas might be canceled. When Frank overhears a conversation between the two, he finds out he's adopted and that they might not want him anymore. Upset and confused, Frank can't concentrate on his books and tablet like he used to. One night when he gets angry, he ends up ruining his poster and finding what looks like a tunnel. Even stranger is when he enters this tunnel - it comes to an end and there is someone else on the other side. A boy named Andy who doesn't understand how Frank got in his wall. After the two work out a plan to meet each other face to face, Frank excitedly finds out that he discovered a completely different universe! The two quickly become best friends, which is a first for Frank as he has always had trouble making friends. The two learn about each other's respective universes. While some things are the same, there are a lot of things different. When Frank finds out a version of himself is in this universe, he makes a plan to meet his birth family on Andy's side. If his adoptive parents in his world don't want him, maybe his birth parents in Andy's world might. The two set off on an incredible adventure and learn a lot of lessons along the way.

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Description

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).

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About The Author

Ece Gurler, who was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey, has always believed in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Besides her work as a School Director in Boston, she is also a full-time author and artist. She studied Geological Engineering in ODTU. But her career path deviated from science and she chose to make difference in people's lives by becoming an educator. Now, she is pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Critical and Creative Thinking at UMASS Boston. Working in the international education sector for more than a decade gave her the ability to read diverse behavior of her students. This unique skill set, combined with her love for science, gave birth to her debut book, "Frank." As an avid reader, she likes to read about history, psychology, science and fictions with strong characters. Currently, she lives in the inspiring city of Boston. When she doesn't write, she makes art. She gives real-time drawing and painting tutorials online. Learn more about her writing and art, get tips and her free resources at: www.ecegurler.com
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Book details

  • Genre:fiction
  • Sub-genre:Science Fiction / General
  • Language:English
  • Pages:224
  • Paperback ISBN:9781098320119

Book Reviews

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Steve
Science, magic, and adventure rolled into one! 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! Read more
Stephanie
Accessible Sci-Fi with a feel good ending for young readers! 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 is 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 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 age children. Read more
Eric
Amazing book! Must read for kids and adults! 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! Read more
Mackenzie
Excellent Book! 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! Read more
Holly
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! Read more
Alan
Physics and Friendship 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 Read more