Lockhart, E. (2008). The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. NY: Hyperion. ISBN: 9780786838189.
Plot Summary: During the summer, Frankie Landau-Banks has matured from “a scrawny, awkward child” into a curvaceous beauty. At boarding school her sophomore year, she draws the attention of the most popular senior, Matthew. He thinks she is adorable, but she’s frustrated that he and his buddies assume she is brainless. When Frankie realizes that Matthew is excluding her from his life with the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male secret school society responsible for harmless pranks on campus, she decides it is time to use her brains as well as her beauty. Tired of being underestimated by the men in her life, Frankie creates a false online identity to infiltrate the Bassets. She takes over the club and urges the male members to conduct some wild and daring pranks. Frankie enjoys her secret power, but what will be the consequences when the school finds out about her part in these pranks? Will Mathew and his friends finally acknowledge her intelligence? And is leading the gang worth the risk of losing her boyfriend?
Critical Evaluation: This is a fun, adventurous book for every young adult who can stand to look at their own double standards about how boys and girls should be. Frankie transforms herself from a nice girl with a pretty face who is supposed to follow the rules, into a shrewd, imaginative mastermind of elaborate schemes that have the power to manipulate everyone around her. When discovered, she faces her own unique disappointments, but it’s a courageous book about girl-power told in a witty third-person narration that conveys deadpan humor and wonderful insight.
Reader’s Annotation:
Frankie’s new boyfriend thinks she’s a knockout, but kind of dumb. She’s out to prove him and his friends wrong by secretly infiltrating their special club and masterminding their biggest adventure yet.
Information About the Author:
E. Lockhart grew up in Massachusetts and Washington state. At age 8, she wrote a few novels and has been writing every since. She became interested in theatre and had ambitions of being an actress, but decided to become a literature professor instead. She went to Vassar and Columbia to study English Literature and committed herself to full-time writing. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks was a Michael L. Printz Award honor book, a finalist for the National Book Award, and recipient of the Cybils Award for best young adult novel. Lockhart enjoys vegetarian cooking, making home movies, reading and yoga. She currently lives in New York City.
Genre:
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Curriculum Ties: English class, Social Studies class, Psychology class, Book clubs, Social clubs, Recommendations for Young Adult Female Readers
Booktalking Ideas:
• The meaning of Frankie’s “panopticon”
• The stereotypes associated with boys and girls
• The joy and the risk of being a strong female teen
• How Frankie proves she is more than a dumb girl
• How Matthew reacts when he discovers her deception
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12
Challenge Issues/Defenses:
Potential Challenges:
• References to sex
• Adult Language
• Content includes references to drinking
Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://www.superchefblog.com/2006/11/sam-sterns-cooking-up-storm.html
• Refer to recognitions received by this book from reputable organizations:
http://e-lockhart.com/main/?page_id=7
• Provide book reviews by literary journals and media publications:
http://e-lockhart.com/main/?page_id=7
• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/Disreputable-History-Frankie-Landau-Banks/dp/0786838183
• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this book’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/disreputable-history-frankie-landau-banks
Why This Book Was Included: It’s a well-written book with a strong female protagonist and superb dialogue about gender politics. This story isn’t so much about controlling others or breaking the rules. Rather, it’s a book about daring to be yourself and daring to change the world. It’s a clever book for smart girls who like to be challenged with new ideas.
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