My Recommendation
After reading Chester and Gus I knew I had to read Cammie McGovern’s companion novel, Frankie and Amelia, which turned out to be just as heartfelt. This account, told from the viewpoint of the cat named Franklin, is about inclusivity, autism, friendship, and family.

Franklin lives with a wonderful and loving family. The family is moving and when he final car is leaving Franklin is no where to be found. The family waits as long as they can but they finally have to get on with the move and Franklin is left behind. They tell their daughter they’ll come back in two weeks and he’ll most likely be sitting on the porch waiting for them. Well that didn’t happen.

With no other choice Franklin becomes becomes an independent cat, until he meets a goofy dog named Chester. Chester is a service dog to his person, a boy named Gus, and Chester knows just the girl to be Franklin’s person. Here us how we meet Gus’s classmate, Amelia. Gus is autistic and Chester accompanies Gus to school as a highly trained service dog.

Amelia is different too, maybe somewhere on the spectrum as well. She loves cats, but has a hard time with people. Franklin understands her, though, and sees how much they have in common. When Amelia gets into some trouble at school, Franklin wants to help the girl who’s done so much to help him. He’s not sure how, yet, but he’s determined to try.

If you have a pet, you will find this vivid and very cat-like account told through the voice of the cat to be a sweet and moving novel that demonstrates how powerful the bond between pets and people can be.

This is a heartwarming book about a cat who struggles to find a new family after losing his first. After befriending a dog named Chester, Frankie is introduced to a girl named Amelia, who is autistic.

I liked Chester's narration, and the flashbacks that provided insight into his past. There are strong themes of friendship and family in this book, and I think it would be a good one to read to children or with the family. If you're a fan of cats and dogs, you should read this book.

At times, I felt this book was a bit too slow paced for my liking. I also wished that there was more closure regarding Frankie's first family.

All in all, this was a sweet book that's worth a read. :)

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Audio and Harper Kids for the gifted versions of this book I read in tandem! The audiobook I listened to was a synthetic voice audio created just for reviewers, so I cannot comment on the final audiobook.

Told from the perspective of Frankie the cat, you learn how Frankie got lost from his old family and his adventures to find a new one. He finally finds a home with Amelia (a neuro-divergent girl) and begins to learn how to love and support her in the best ways. I thought this book was heartwarming, tender and funny. I think it will do beautiful things to help children understand those around them who are different from themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this audio book in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #HarperAudio #CammieMcGovern
This sweet book tells the sweet story about Franklin the cat, who is separated from his family. He meets Chester, a service dog to a boy who helps bring him to Amelia. Amelia is a classmate who has trouble connecting with people. Frankie understands her though. This book demonstrates the bond with people and their pets beautifully. This book follows the book “Chester and Gus” by the same author.
Sweet is an understatement for this novel. I’m a sucker for a book about animals. I especially love when they’re told from the point of view of the animal. Frankie’s story starts out very sadly, he is abandoned by his family, but when he is partnered with Amelia, it becomes a heartwarming treat of a story. I’ll have to read the companion novel.

Frankie the cat used to have a family but has to fend for himself for a while until he meets a dog named Chester. Chester's family takes him in and helps find Frankie a permanent home. Amelia loves cats but struggles with people. Chester knows that Amelia is the right person to take Frankie home and give him a new family. Frankie is grateful for all Amelia has done for him and wants to help her in return.

This was a cute story from the perspective of a cat. I have to say, my heart hurt a little that Frankie's old family probably never learned what happened to him. This is a companion book to a book about Chester and Gus, the boy in his family. Gus and Amelia both have autism, and Chester and Frankie do their best to help the two interact with the world. I hope this book helps children understand the experience of those with autism and help them accept those who are neurodivergent.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.