Frankie's Summer - by Jessixa Bagley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Determined to make friends at her new school, a girl dons a hot dog mascot costume to earn enough money to throw the perfect party in this hilarious and achingly true-to-life middle grade graphic novel from the beloved and award-winning creators of Duel.

Popular Frankie's middle school life turns upside down when her family's hot dog restaurant goes up in literal flames and they move to a new neighborhood with a different school. Suddenly she's the new kid trying to figure out who her friends are when the classmates she likes most are decidedly uncool and the popular kids are kind of mean.

Frankie's determined to win everyone over with an extravagant, super fun birthday blowout. But to earn the money for her party, she'll have to spend her summer dressed as a giant hot dog mascot for her quirky family's new food truck. Will Frankie's brat summer doom her to be a loser or will she discover that wieners never quit?

About the Author

Jessixa Bagley is a children's book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She's also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she's drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Aaron Bagley is an illustrator, painter, and comics artist. He loves to draw from observation, life experiences, and his dreams and has filled more than 225 sketchbooks with his drawings. Over the years he's illustrated for numerous organizations including 826 Seattle as well as being featured in publications like The Virginia Quarterly Review, The Stranger, The Seattle Review of Books, and many more. He's a frequent contributor to the Illustoria Magazine for both writing and illustration. Aaron also collaborates with his wife, Jessixa. Together, they've created picture book Vincent Comes Home and middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie. Aaron received a 2024 Washington State Book Award for illustrating Duel. He lives in Seattle with his wife and son.