Be Prepared!: The Frankie MacDonald Guide to Life, the Weather, and Everything

by Frankie MacDonald, SalSawler

Ever wonder where clouds come from? Or how meteorologists predict the weather? This brand new book, starring Nova Scotia’s favourite weather reporter, Frankie MacDonald, and written by author Sarah Sawler, shares stories from Frankie’s early years, along with facts about all things sunny, rainy, snowy, and stormy. Filled with pictures, graphics, and advice from Frankie himself, this book has everything you need to Be Prepared!

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Biography

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2018

About the author

Frankie MacDonald is a YouTube celebrity living in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He's studied meteorology from an early age and shares his weather reports with more than 150,000 subscribers living all over the world. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, going to hockey games, and walking along the Sydney waterfront.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are familiar with Frankie MacDonald, then this book will give you the scoop on how he started predicting weather on YouTube, and basically follows his life story, so far. In between, there are little factoids about the weather, such as the fact that Japan has more earthquakes than any other country.

But, if you wanted a book about the weather, this is not the right book for you. This is not a a weather book, with side notes about Frankie. Rather it is a biography, with side notes about the weather.

Since Frankie is very popular in Nova Scocia and Canada, according to what this book says, perhaps it is a good combination, but I kept looking for more, and not finding it.

#BePrepared! #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Lana Shupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyed this delightfully put together book. Frankie MacDonald's story is an uplifting one. Nova Scotia's favourite weather forecaster.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankie MacDonald is a Canadian amateur weatherman in Sydney, NS. He has autism and is known for his boisterous online weather forecasts. Frankie posts his videos to his YouTube channel, where they have received millions of views. His weather report videos include warnings for his home province of Nova Scotia, a snowstorm in Winnipeg, heavy rainfall in Vancouver, and storms around the world. He has published over 1,200 videos on YouTube, mostly weather forecasts, but also competitive eating and how to properly shovel snow.

I'd never watched any of Frankie's videos but I've heard my sister, who lives in Halifax, NS, mention him. It sounds like he is a celebrity "back home". She borrowed his book and I thought I'd read it to find out more about Frankie.

I thought this book was interesting. It's more of a biography about Frankie and his family, his challenges being autistic, having a photographic memory and more. There are snippets about weather facts throughout.

It's a quick read as it's a short book. It is written a level that a child, those who are child-like and even adults will like.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/10...

[Cindy Steeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography about Frankie MacDonald, a Nova Scotia amateur weather forecaster. The book is written for middle school readers and is an excellent read for children interested in weather forecasting or learning more about Frankie’s YouTube channel, dogsandwolves. The book tells of how Frankie, who is autistic, learned to deal with bullying and how these experiences still help him today. Reading this helped me to better understand how remarkable and resilient people can be with support and love from family and community.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot to write a book and I thoroughly enjoyed how Frankie put his heart and soul into a book. It, along with his YouTube channel, clearly show his passion for meteorology and the weather. While this book includes fun facts and information about weather, I feel like it focuses on Frankie's personal view. He has proven that anyone can do anything. He doesn't let Autism define nor limit his abilities. Such an inspiration! 

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for a 2020 Hackmatack Award in the non-fiction category. I am a fan of biographies in general, and being from the Maritimes I am of course familiar with amateur weatherman Frankie MacDonald, so when I saw this title I was pretty jazzed. Frankie is truly and inspirational person. I had seen his weather videos on YouTube, but I didn't know a thing about him as a person. This book tells the story of Frankie's life so far, with the occasional weather tidbit thrown in for good measure. Frankie is on the autism spectrum, which means that growing up he had a difficult time communicating with the adults around him because his brain is wired a little differently than most. It also means that he can retain a remarkable amount of information, which helps him be such a terrific weatherman! I found Frankie's story to be very encouraging and uplifting. His key messages are to always be kind and never stop learning.
I would recommend this to fans of Frankie MacDonald, kids who like to read true stories about interesting people.

[Digitally Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will's review:

I absolutely LOVED this book! With 7 chapters this is a great book for everyone! There are multiple different values within the book and at the end there's even a TEST with questions regarding the book! I thought this was a very neat idea and it made the book very interesting! I really enjoyed the story behind Frankie's life which was very well explained in the book! Frankie has a very impressive audience across many social media platforms like YouTube with an astounding 286 + THOUSAND subscribers! This book helps the readers understand Frankie's journey and even the reason why he loves the weather! The book keeps you engaged all the way through with Fun Facts, pictures, and Did You Know segments! I definitely rate the book a 5/5 📚 or 5/5 🌟! I definitely recommend that YOU read this book today! I would like to shout out Frankie MacDonald, Sal Sawler, Nimbus Publishing, and Digitally Lit for getting this amazing book to me and the wonderful creation of the book!

[Diane Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have mentioned, this is a Frankie book with snippets of weather, but it's still great. I learned of Frankie on the reddit sub "victoria" and I first thought "what IS this?" as it took a while for the penny to drop. I LOVE Frankie and look forward to his weather event videos. I am glad he's getting some positive exposure for doing something he enjoys, and is bringing smiles to the world.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and breezy text from Frankie MacDonald, a self-styled weatherman who has achieved success by way of his enthusiastic approach to the weather, and to most anything else that interests him. Earnest and appreciably light in tone.

[Leena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really great book! I admit, being on the spectrum myself, I took the title too literally and thought it was going to be a more comprehensive guide to being prepared for different kinds of weather, but still a great read!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you from a fan!

I love Frankie’s channel (I have Asperger’s and work with people with intellectual disabilities/more moderate autism), exuberant personality, and the many great memes he has inspired! Thank you for this book! Long live Frankie!

[Melanie Frenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie is a great YouTube personality and I enjoyed reading his story.

[Julie Boudreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to learn more about the great frankie. This book raises awareness about being different. Frankie is the living proof that anyone can live up to his dreams.

[Ramah]

Very fun read! Absolutely adore Frankie!