Besides the natural physical changes that occur for Frankie in The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, our heroine also undergoes some major transformations as she moves toward adulthood: falling in love for the first time, finding her identity, and even getting in trouble (and handling it like a boss). Frankie wastes no time in growing up and taking charge of her life. Even if it means losing that dreamy boyfriend she always wanted in order to stay true to herself.
Questions About Coming of Age
- When Frankie starts off the school year, has her outlook changed from the year before? Why or why not?
- How does Frankie grow in her relationship with Matthew? Does Matthew grow in any way?
- How are the pranks a reflection of Frankie's increasing confidence?
- Could Frankie have stayed with Matthew if she hadn't matured so much? Do you think they might have a future somewhere down the line when they're both a bit older? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Frankie enters the school year not really knowing who she is, but over the course of the novel, she grows into a young woman who is sure of her convictions.
Even though Matthew may like the way Frankie looks now that she is older, he can't really handle her intellectual maturity, and their relationship falls apart because of it.