Ulana Snihura

The main message of this book is to show that being a kind person to your true friends is more important than being popular among your classmates. The book follows Molly and her nerdy friend Franklin P. Shuckles. When her friends at school make fun of Franklin, Molly tries many different times to get Franklin to leave her alone. When he finally does, Molly begins to miss his stories and his friendship. She then must try to gain his friendship back.
I enjoyed this book for a few reasons. I enjoyed watching Molly’s character develop. For example, in the beginning Molly enjoys listening to Franklin’s stories, but will only play with him because “there was no one else around.” When her classmates mock him because of his skinny legs and glasses, Molly tries to get rid of him in quite cruel ways (throwing balls, writing a mean note, etc.) But when Molly realizes that Franklin was a good friend who was dependable, kind, generous, and a good story-teller, she regrets her mean actions and tries to gain his friendship back. As she does this, she becomes a kinder person (offering cookies, writing a kind note, etc.). Her character development shows children that it is never too late to become a compassionate person, no matter how you have acted in the past.
I also enjoyed this book because it challenges children to think about the tough issues of peer-pressure, bullying, and going against the crowd. For example, Molly succumbs to peer pressure when her classmates laugh at Franklin; she becomes embarrassed to be around him and tries to avoid him. As a result, she becomes somewhat of a bully to Franklin, who seeks nothing but her friendship. Molly must decide whether the acceptance of her peers is more important to her than her kind and sweet friend Franklin. Her moment of clarity comes when Molly exclaims: “I miss Franklin P. Shuckles! I miss his skinny legs, his funny glasses, his great stories. But most of all I miss his friendship!” Then, Molly must redeem herself in the eyes of Franklin and become a stronger and more compassionate person by offering to let him play with her, waving at him, offering him cookies, etc. This challenges children to look past outward appearances and choose their friends based on their character, not on how others view them. It also challenges children to see the damages of bullying to both the bullied and the bullier (Franklin is sad and hurt, Molly is sad and loses her good friend).… (mehr)

First person. Tells the story of how she played every day with Franklin P. Shuckles and how he told the best stories even though he wore funny glasses and had skinny legs. But when school starts and the other kids make fun of him, tries to get rid of him. But he won't go away. Finally she writes a note saying she just doesn't like him. And he goes away. But then she misses his friendship. And she tries and tries to get him back. Finally she writes a note saying she really does like him. And he comes back -- as her friend.… (mehr)