Frank and the Masked Cat

by Martha Brockenbrough, Jon Lau (Illustrator)

Frank the loveable but salty cat and his corgi sidekick Sunny are back!

This time Frank falls head over heels in love with a deeply mysterious “masked cat” who he spies rooting through the garbage cans. Frank, Sunny, and new pal (an irascible parrot who is visiting) try hilariously to help Frank through his moony crush. On a Racoon. (But Frank doesn’t know that.)

P R A I S E

“Highly relatable”—Horn Book

“A series opener that will delight cat AND dog fans.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Cute and hilarious” — Booklist

Genres: Animals, Juvenile, Friendship, Chapter Books

80 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

Martha Brockenbrough is author of The Game of Love and Death, Finding Bigfoot, The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, and Devine Intervention, books for young readers. For adults, she has written Things That Make Us [Sic], a hilarious guide to things that can go wrong with English, and It Could Happen to You, a diary of her first pregnancy. She's the founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.

Reviews

[Melanie Dulaney]

This early chapter book stars Frank the Cat, his puppy buddy Sunny and a parrot named Cap’n Keith. In this second installment in the “Frank” series, a masked visitor steals Frank’s heart and Sunny and Keith try to help him express his love to the enigmatic nighttime creature. Author Martha Brockenbrough slips in a few challenging words such as “enigma” and “bilge,” but surrounds them in rich context allowing young readers to determine meaning, if not pronunciation. There are also lots of goofy expressions of love such as an overly sweet letter, a cardboard box gondola, and lots of tossed rice. Combine that silliness with Sunny deciding to sleep in the nude like his pal Frank plus the fact that the object of Frank’s love is a raccoon who apparently doesn’t speak cat, dog or parrot, 1st-3rd grade readers are sure to get a kick out of this one. Reading book 1 is not a prerequisite to enjoying its sequel. Illustrations by Jon Lau, done using separate objects painted with poster paint and then scanned and assembled using Photoshop, augment the text perfectly.

Thanks for the finished copy, Levine Querido Publishing/Hachette Group Books.

[Todd]

The pet trio of Frank, Sunny, and Cap'n Keith continue to amuse in this quirky, highly-illustrated chapter book. Thankfully, the humans are barely observed, giving the spotlight to the animals' interactions. The whole proceedings feel very contemporary in a kid-friendly way, as the conversations have a quick wit, and feelings are openly expressed. Even the concern that Cap'n Keith is caged feels natural and timely.

There were a few moments about love that felt a bit too deep, or possibly would go over the head of the intended readership. And the oft-used trope that an animal character can be so brilliant in some ways but so dim in others (in this case, not recognizing that a raccoon is not a cat). There was one text and illustration mismatch on page 36. But all in all, a very good, fun 4.5 star read, rounded down.

[Malli (Chapter Malliumpkin)]

Final copy given by Levine Querido.


This was a really cute, wholesome book about first love and the love for those already in your life. This was humorous, charming, and perfect read for kids who love stories with animals. Plus, if you're an owner of cats and a corgi, like myself, you'll find the energy of Frank and Sunny can feel very spot on for the energy of cats in a home with a corgi. Overall, a really cute, fun read!


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[Edie]

A sweet story told in short self contained chapters about love as viewed by a cat, a dog a parrot and a raccoon (who eats a love letter). Frank learns he has fallen in love from the parrot who is visiting his home. His friend Sunny the dog doesn't quote know about love the way the parrot does but is supportive. There is talk about bucket lists, poetry, freedom and of course love. A book that will charm children and adults.

[Sarah]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Frank and his newfound love. Quality books of this length, less than 100 pages, are definitely needed in our classroom libraries.

[Maegan]

Utterly charming, with masterful lines.

My favorite:
“she was an enigma, which is an extra beautiful mystery”.

[Tegan]

Martha can do no wrong! I love Frank.

[Courtenay]

Might be a little confusing for kids who haven't read Frank 1.

[Shireen Hakim]

A domestic cat Frank (with the upper torso of Pink Panther) pines for a feral creature.
Reminiscent of hilarious classics like Bunnicula.
Thank you Chronicle Books for the review copy!