Mother hunches by the kerosene lamp mending the boys’ socks. She’s taken on extra nursing jobs to make ends meet. I am so glad you escaped, she says to me.
(from The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt, page 57)
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt is a graphic novel of sorts, featuring vintage photos, ads, postcards, and memorabilia from the 1920s collected and put together by author Caroline Preston. Preston uses these items to tell the story of a fictional character, an aspiring writer named Frances “Frankie” Pratt, who is given a scrapbook from her mother as a high school graduation present and types a page a day on her deceased father’s old typewriter. Frankie’s scrapbook introduces readers to her family and friends in Cornish, New Hampshire, beginning in 1920 and follows her to Vassar College, Greenwich Village, and Paris over the next eight years.
I read this book in a matter of hours, but I know I will revisit it again to admire the photos, clippings, and trinkets preserved in its pages. Frankie’s story is an adventure of an ambitious, vivacious young woman with all the world in front of her, and Preston does a great job shaping her story to fit the mementos in the scrapbook. It’s not a profound story, but the scrapbook makes it impressive and unique.
I was amazed at how much I was able to learn about the characters from the few words Frankie writes and sticks to the pages. Frankie’s mother struggles to support the family, but she finds a way to send her daughter to a prestigious school, opening up a world of opportunities to Frankie. Preston takes readers on Frankie’s journey through failed romances, an overseas voyage made exciting by a “spinster adventuress” and exiled Russian princes, and the literary scene in Paris, and she even shows Frankie’s evolution from a carefree school girl to a young woman with responsibilities — all in little scrapbook snippets.
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt is a fantastic “novel in pictures” that you must see in person to fully appreciate. The pages are bright and colorful, and even though I wish there had been some variations in texture, I absolutely loved it. Frankie Pratt is a strong heroine with modern sensibilities, one of those characters I’d love to have as a real-life friend. Couple her charming coming-of-age story with a beautiful and fascinating scrapbook, and you have a delightful read that will keep your eyes glued to the pages.
Watch the book trailer and read about how Preston created a “scrapbook novel.”
Disclosure: I won The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt in a blog giveaway. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I cannot wait to check this out when I come for Thanksgiving…maybe you’ll let me borrow it.
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Maybe…if I’m in a good mood. 😛
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I loved this book too and was amazed at the emotions I felt from reading a “scrapbook.”
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Exactly! I can’t believe how attached I was to Frankie. I didn’t want it to end.
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I’ve been noticing this one around the blogs, and I’m captivated by the idea of it…thanks for sharing.
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It is a captivating book! Even if the story itself doesn’t interest you, you have to check it out for the scrapbook.
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Terrific review, Anna. There’s a lot of wonderful buzz about this one, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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I do hope you get a chance to read it. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
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I’ve read so many positive reviews on this one. I really need to read it.
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Yes, definitely! 🙂
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My wife just got this for me — she saw it and immediately knew I’d love it. I can’t wait to dig in — your review has me wiggling with excitement!
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I’m anxiously awaiting your thoughts!!
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I am looking forward to reading this book. It looks like really good.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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This is one that I will be reading one of these days. I love to scrapbook and I think the way they used to do it is something special. This one sounds awesome.
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If you love to scrapbook, then you’ll really appreciate this book!
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I think this book sounds so unusual! I can’t wait to see it in person and experience it for myself.
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It definitely is an experience. I’ve never read anything like it.
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Now I really can’t wait to read this book! My daughter was immediately attracted to it when I got it in the mail. It’s unlike any other book I’ve received.
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It caught my daughter’s eye, too. Can’t wait to read your thoughts!
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I have been reading wonderful reviews on this book too. I guess I’ll have to check it out.
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I do hope you will!
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I cannot wait to read this one!
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I look forward to reading your thoughts. It’s a fun book!
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Great review! this is one of those I will keep when I pick it up over the holidays. I love old photos and stories around them make it even better. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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Thanks, jennygirl! I look forward to reading your thoughts!
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I hope to read this during the Thankfully Reading Weekend. I did peek inside and I liked what I saw! I’m excited to read it after seeing so many great reviews!
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It’s the perfect book for that event! Can’t wait to see what you think of it!
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Anna, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I also won this book-it just arrived yesterday and I cannot wait to read it.
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Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this book.
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Thanks for your review. Would you say this book is acceptable for a mature 7th grader to read? Thanks.
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I would think so. There are references to drinking, premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality, but they aren’t graphic or focused on in great detail. I’d let my 6th grader read it if she wanted to. Hope that helps!
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I’m very intrigued by this book. I hope remember to look for it next time I’m in a bookstore. I need to get out more.
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I know how that is! I can’t remember the last time I went to the book store, which I guess is a good thing because I always spend too much $ there. 😉 Hope you get your hands on a copy!
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