The various points of view made this an interesting and insightful read. I enjoyed the setting and learning more about small town life in Maine. The conflict kept me intrigued, and it was a quick but eventful book.

This book truly embodies the power of reading to experience life in someone else’s shoes and gain a new perspective impossible to find without it. Connor introduces us to unlikely best friends: Aurora and Frenchie. Aurora is energetic, loud and full of life while Frenchie is quiet, contemplative and non-verbal. Bound together by their love of nature, but newly separated into different sixth grade classrooms, Aurora and Frenchie learn to find new rhythms and routines. But when Frenchie goes missing, Aurora’s life is turned upside down as she works to find Frenchie and use her big personality to find her friend. Told in alternating chapters, Connors not only introduces us to Aurora and Frenchie, but shows us how connected we all really are to those around us, connections that should be celebrated and appreciated.

Leslie Connor’s Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? is as thought provoking as it is emotional.

Aurora is known for being loud and blunt. When a new family moves in next door, Aurora sets off to finally have a friend. When she meets Frenchie and his mom, she learns that Frenchie is as quiet as she is loud: he has autism and is nonverbal. Never one to be deterred by small challenges like communication barriers, Aurora sets out to befriend Frenchie. She quickly understands his communication style, and their friendship is as fast as Aurora’s speech when she’s excited.

When sixth grade divides the two best friends into different classes, Aurora worries about both her and Frenchie being without one another for the first time in three years. As the school year gets going, Aurora pushes them both to include new friends in their group. But Aurora’s world is shaken when Frenchie is suddenly and inexplicably missing from school on a day when they walked inside together.


This tenderhearted book was impossible to put down. Each scene unfolded to show how the little moments of our lives come together to form a rich tapestry that guide us and our loved ones when we’re lost. The strength of community and the power of friendship are gently underscored without being saccharine.

I was equally worried for each of the main characters during Frenchie’s ordeal. The superb character development and vivid setting descriptions made me feel as though I was in the moment with the characters. It adds up to an immersive reading experience with likable, relatable characters in a beautifully described world.

The plot is well paced as it balances the more intense scenes with flashbacks that both explain the decisions the character’s make as well as foreshadow the choices that will be made. Each scene feels deliberately chosen, and doesn’t slow down the reader. The backstory and details in these scenes proves vitally important to the plot. It sets up delicious ah-ha moments for the reader to connect the dots on why the characters made certain decisions or felt pulled a particular way.

The multiple points of view create an immersive reading experience, as the reader learns about past instances that influence the characters as well as where they are currently. The character’s voices are distinct and show how well developed each character is, from the main players to the side characters.

The setting was a character unto itself, and I’m now itching to visit Maine as a result. The vivid descriptions of the forests, beaches, and fields really put the reader in the moment. The setting complements the plot beautifully, striking that elusive balance between description and action.

The central themes and messaging are delicately handled. The importance of seeing others fully, not just their abilities or differences, is not overwhelming or overt yet it comes across clearly. I also love how this book shows young readers that they are meant to be themselves, and they shouldn’t have to tone down their personality to fit in. It also serves as a reminder to more grownup readers that kids deserve to be seen and heard.

This book tackles big subjects like neurodivergence, disability, and adoption without being preachy or relying on a savior complex. Aurora isn’t friends with Frenchie because of duty or charity; she is friends with him because they are each other’s special person. It is a beautiful friendship story because of their relationship, and not because of the traits that make them not neurotypical.

This beautiful book highlights the importance of friendship, community, and belonging.

Thank you to Leslie Connor, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy such that I could write this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I squealed with delight when I was approved for this book. Leslie Connor is one of my favorite middle grade authors. My expectations were high for Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? and I was not disappointed.

Aurora and Frenchie have been neighbors and best friends forever. Both of them have trouble fitting in. Aurora is not a quiet girl. She tends to say what s he thinks as soon as she thinks it. Frenchie doesn't talk at all. This doesn't mean he isn't able to communicate with others-you just have to look for the answers.

As the book begins, Aurora is distressed to find out that she and Frenchie will not be in the same class. They have always been in the same class and Aurora helps Frenchie be successful. This year though, Frenchie is in a new class and he has a new person to help him. There are some growing pains but Aurora likes her new class and the new friends she is able to make. But one day the worst possible thing happens-Frenchie disappears.

The entire town turns out to help find Frenchie. Frenchie is very skilled at tracking in the forest, so while people are concerned, but think he will wander home before dark. Instead the next day, the town is still searching for Frenchie. There are several small signs community members miss as they go through the day-just as people tend to miss Frenchie. As the search continues, Aurora discovers that even though it seems people ignore Frenchie, makes an impression on many people.

Leslie Connor created another wonderful book in Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? She develops the unique friendships that Aurora and Frenchie create not only between themselves, but between others. This book is a beautiful portrayal of healthy relationships. People recognize the positive attributes of each other instead of tearing each other down. This was a first-rate, feel-good read. I'll be waiting for Leslie Connor's next novel!

I enjoyed this book. The treatment of each of the characters was compassionate and showed change over the story. There are some typos and odd sentence structure I highlighted. I’m sure you all know better than I

Great story. Timely topic.

As I was thinking about writing the review for Anybody Here Seen Frenchie by Leslie Connor, I came across this quote from Ellen Notbohm...

Presuming that a non-verbal child has nothing to say is like presuming an adult without a car has nowhere to go.

Frenchie is a non-verbal child and Aurora, while the total opposite, is his special friend who is able to read his body and facial cues intuitively and therefore is able to determine what Frenchie is trying to say. They have been best friends for several years and for the first time, they are put in different classrooms. Aurora begins to make some new friends and one day forgets to make sure Frenchie makes it into his classroom. Frenchie goes missing and the entire town turns out to search for him.

Told from multiple perspectives, this book is about friendship, neurodiversity and accepting others differences, something desperately needed in these times. I will definitely be purchasing this book for my school library. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

Netgalley, you made my day by sending an ARC of this outstanding new middle grade novel. Anybody Here Seen Frenchie is the best book I've read in months (and I read A LOT)! The novel tells the story of bubbly, loud, "blurter," Aurora and her non-verbal, autistic best friend, Frenchie. Since Frenchie moved into the house next door to Aurora in third grade, the two have been each other's person. With the start of sixth grade, however, changes occur. For the first time, Aurora and Frenchie are in different classes and Aurora starts to enlarge her circle. Then, tragedy strikes as Frenchie goes missing and Aurora blames herself for not being by his side.

The story is told with compassion and heart. While it is insular at the beginning-- mostly about Aurora and Frenchie and their interactions with various townspeople-- once Frenchie goes missing, the narrative expands to include many of those same characters who were briefly introduced. By telling their stories as well, we learn that the entire town cares about Frenchie; he is their person too. Everyone contributes in their own way to find the quiet boy who is missing.

Beautifully written with dynamic, soulful characters and a story that gave me all the feels. I loved this book!!!

The novel is about two friends: Aurora, who is LOUD, and Frenchie, who is not. At first glance, these two don’t seem like likely friends, but Aurora helps speak for neurodivergent Frenchie and Frenchie helps Aurora slow down and notice the things around her. When Frenchie never makes it into the school building one morning, the townspeople of the coastal Maine village rally to locate the missing boy. The story is about friendship and family and growing up with a focus on nature.

Recommended for fans of Tornado Brain and The Line Tender. Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? is out now!

5⭐️ for Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? Leslie Connor has done it again! Aurora, the loud, can’t stay still, blurting girl and Frenchie, the boy who is autistic and nonverbal are somehow friends. Shortly after Frenchie and his mom Gracia moved next door to Aurora’s family, they become best friends. Even though Aurora doesn’t usually stop long enough to see things, she somehow really sees and understands Frenchie. When they find out they will not be in the same class for 6th grade, Aurora is devastated. She still walks with Frenchie every day to his classroom door before going to her classroom. Until one day when Aurora is distracted and Frenchie gets distracted too. Pretty soon, Frenchie is gone and the whole town is organizing a search and rescue for him. This is such a sweet story about an unlikely friendship and a whole town pulling together to help one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Fully admit I had tears coming down my cheeks while reading parts of this story. Connor captures the gamut of emotions in friendship between two who are neurodiverse. Frenchie is mute and autistic. Aurora is very talkative and autistic. By chance, they end up as neighbors. By choice, they become best friends. Readers meet them as they prepare for their sixth grade year. A potentially difficult time for any student and compounded when one is outside the "norms". From here, Collins takes readers through the start of the school year and on to Frenchie disappearing one morning. The story moves back and forward from a variety of narrators' point of views as readers see the events of that day from all sides. - the ways life can change with one different glance or one less distracted moment. They watch as the search parties go out, as people reflect on seemingly unimportant events, as secondary character lives are described, and as the right people come together to perform Frenchie's rescue.
The short chapter format will appeal to mid-elementary readers. The switch in viewpoints is clearly identified in each chapter heading and readers can easily see how the pieces fit together in the overall story.
Looking forward to more by this author.

Told from multiple points of view and flashbacks, I adored this tale of friendship that involved two neurodivergent characters. Highly recommend for a classroom read!

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?, by Leslie Connor, is a wonderfully written novel about compassion, inclusion, friendship, family, and community! Aurora, an impulsive, caring girl, befriends Frenchie, a non-verbal boy, who moves to her neighborhood.  Their friendship leads to many adventures and acceptance as they navigate both school and their community.  This retired EC teacher's heart is smiling. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

What a heartwarming tale of the everyday lives of families with special needs children. It was a pleasure reading this novel through the eyes and emotions and voice of the special needs youths themselves. Typical everyday events like riding the school bus described in such detail- where to sir, how far apart - and having the help of community members who know your special needs. This book examines the feelings and emotions experienced by the main characters in their voices. By Aurora who is loud and boisterous. By Frenchie who is nonvical. Even by Aurura's typically developing adopted brother Cedar who speaks in baby jabber. The novel also examines how as a group the cimmunity shy away and do not interact with special needs people, which is a typical reaction. However, when an emergency situation arises, the community comes together and work as one to resolve the situation. They put aside their fear or inability to understand to help out their fellow man. This novel confronts head on many of the stigmas that the special needs community faces in a beautifully written tale. I highly recommend this read.

PUB DAY REVIEW:
ANYBODY HERE SEEN FRENCHIE?
by Leslie Connor

A poignant and moving story of two unlikely friends: loud-talking Aurora and mute Frenchie, who have been pals since third grade. One day Frenchie goes missing, and the way the whole town pulls together to find him will touch readers deeply. A sensitive tale of neurodiversity and understanding for readers eight and up. Highly recommended!

Thanks to author Leslie Connor, HarperCollins Children's Books, Katherine Tegen Books, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.

#AnybodyHereSeenFrenchie #NetGalley

5 stars

I feel so fortunate this book was recommended to me by NetGalley. I have not read anything by this author before, but it sounded interesting so I took a shot. The main characters are Aurora, a very loud and exuberant girl who can never sit still, and her best friend Frenchie, a boy who loves birds, but is also mute. They are the unlikeliest of friends, but she is very observant, especially when it comes to him, and he is calming for her while she is the person he has chosen. But also the subject of this book is the entire community in this little town of Maine. When Frenchie goes missing, I love how Aurora is able to see the best in her neighbors, teachers, classmates, and many other folks in her community, even those she previously judged as overlooking Frenchie and finding her to be too much. While Aurora's point-of-view is the main part of this book, the chapters do end up being seen from other POVs, which really added to the sense of community as everyone pulls together to search for Frenchie. Some of the chapters are seen from Frenchie's POV, which helps us understand better what he is thinking during his time away from Aurora. There were so many moments when I would think, "Oh man, so close...if only," when it came to coincidences or what people saw or could have seen if the timing was different. I loved this book and can definitely recommend it.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A tender hearted story that celebrates friendship, nature, and neurodiversity. Aurora and Frenchie have been best friends since 3rd grade when Frenchie moved in next door to her in their small, Maine town. Aurora has always been loud, brash, and is constantly being told to tone herself down. While not explicitly stated, she seems to have ADD/ADHD and control issues. Frenchie is autistic and selectively mute. Despite their differences, they have a deep bond and understanding of one another and a shared loved of nature and outdoor exploration. When Frenchie goes missing, the whole town comes together to find him. It is a lesson in community, embracing and accepting differences, and loving yourself.

This was such a sweet book!! The main character was great and I loved the cover art too :)

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, but I think I enjoyed it more than my students would. I loved how the community came together in search of Frenchie and I love the friendship between Aurora and Frenchie.

I have enjoyed Leslie Connor’s books for many years . Has Anybody Seen Frenchie is perfect voiced. Aurora is the prefect friend for Frenchie and stays true to herself even as she makes new friends. Frenchie is lovable as well. I enjoyed the bird references and the setting in Maine. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for novels about autism..

Aurora and Frenchie and their families have been the best of friends. Frenchie does not speak, but Aurora and he have developed such a bond that she often know just what he is saying without words. One day, Aurora bounds into school and forgets about their normal routine of walking Frenchie to class, and Frenchie disappears. Aurora is overcome with worry and guilt as the whole community joins together to search for Frenchie.