Fourteen-year-old Frankie Lincoln longs for understanding—why his mother is no longer affectionate with him, why his family seems to be falling apart at the seams, and, most of all, why he feels so different from everyone around him. “An outsider in his own family,” Frankie is harboring a deep secret, one that he’s pretty sure his loved ones have already guessed about him, but it’s so monumental, he’s terrified to reveal it—Frankie is gay, and desperate to be accepted, and loved, for who he is. When the Lincoln family falls on hard financial times, Frankie takes matters into his own hands, vowing to save Christmas for his family—and finally earn their love.

Leslie crafts this delicate coming-of-age fiction debut with gentle care, portraying Frankie as a talented dreamer yearning for someone to appreciate—and nurture—his inner light. That person comes in the form of an unusual teacher in his Catholic school, Ms. Mary, who’s offbeat, welcoming manner makes her stand out—and gives Frankie the chance to blossom under her warm guidance. Mary encourages Frankie’s dreams of being a filmmaker, gifting him the opportunity to share his script at the Christmas Nativity play, and opens Frankie up to profound reflection on who he is, as Mary reflects that “God is love, so God can’t and won’t do anything else. It’s you that needs to love you.”

Mary’s compassion and tenderness are the perfect catalyst for Frankie’s transformation and help him find the inner strength to come out to his family—and to himself. Frankie’s journey comes with its own hurdles, of course, but Leslie keeps the focus on the feel-good results that Frankie’s bravery and authenticity produce. Coming into his own allows a deeper connection with his family, promising new relationships, and, above all, Frankie’s revelation that “you’ve got to have the courage to follow [your] dream[s].”

Takeaway: Tender coming-of-age Christmas story, with plenty of heart.

Comparable Titles: Drew Ferguson’s The Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second, Steven Salvatore’s And They Lived….

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A