In this clever story by E. Lockhart, Frankie finds herself quietly trying to infiltrate a decades old, boys only secret society that is a tradition at Alabaster Prep School. In doing so, she satisfies herself on many levels, but finds the ultimate result somewhat disappointing. Frankie's goals and aspirations and her desire to be noticed will make her a character that many teens, especially girls can relate to. I found the plot intriguing and creative, but some teens will find its lack of action to be a turn-off. Those students who enjoy thinking while they read will love it. ( )

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Frankie Landau-Banks has gone from geeky to gorgeous over the course of the summer, and she can hardly believe it when Matthew Livingston, the senior she worshipped from afar the year before, seems interested. But being Matthew's girlfriend comes with a lot of things Frankie didn't expect. She feels uncertain navigating the complicated politics of his social circle, and uneasy with the antics of his friends, which often seem to exclude her. Worst of all, she senses that he's not letting her all the way into his life--that, because she is a girl, he will never see her as an equal.

Then Frankie discovers that Matthew is a member of the school's exclusive--and male-only--secret society. At first she only spies on them out of curiosity. But as her desire to prove herself every bit as capable as Matthew's male conspirators grows, she finds herself getting wrapped up in the society's business of sneaking and pranking, without any of the boys suspecting a thing.

With Frankie pulling the strings, anything is possible.

THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS is one of those rare books that is equal parts entertaining and thought-provoking. Frankie's exploits are full of humor, suspense, and drama, but she's not afraid to stop every now and then and consider the consequences of her actions. Her insecurities make her as believable as her smarts and her guts make her admirable. Readers will be cheering her on from beginning to end--and wondering how the things she learns along the way might apply to their own school adventures long after they've put the book down. ( )

Original post at The Little Bookworm refers to audio version

Frankie attends Alabaster Preparatory, an elite school for both old and new money alike. She begins dating Matthew Livingston, one of the most popular senior boys, her sophomore year. Matthew is a member of the school's most secret male society and Frankie wants in. Underestimated by the boys and tired of being "adorable," she makes it her mission to become the brains behind the brawn.

I've now read everything by E. Lockhart with the exception of Fly on the Wall. And I've enjoyed everything I've read. She writes such smart, witty, and real girls. Frankie is an amazing girl even I felt like smacking her now and then. She lives in a world of privilege but doesn't want to accept the status quo and won't let herself become regulate to being one of the girlfriends or just a cute girl. She wants to be powerful and recognized for her intelligence. I admire the way she went about getting what she wanted and recognize that ambition in myself. Not to the point of Frankie, but still that need to be the one in charge, to be the controller. The boys I recognize from school and from friends, boys who just are without needing to try. The way they effortlessly exist while the girls have to watch what they say or how they act lest someone assign a label to them. I think that is what Frankie is looking for, to be herself without being labeled.

Tanya Eby is the narrator and she does an excellent job. At first I thought that she read too quickly, but later realized it was tailored to the scence. Her voice is pleasant and she makes everything Frankie does seem natural and intelligent. ( )

This book managed to tie Jeremy Bentham, the Cacophony Society, and the basics tenets of Feminism all in a tidy little bow. The cherry on the sundae (or the um, trinket on top of the bow?) is Lockhart's stellar first person account of how it feels to be a knockout 15 year old who feels her personality and intelligence are undervalued by those she loves the most. Highly recommended!Also - I noticed in her "Thank You"s at the end of the book that her "writing group" consists of Scott Westerfeld, Maureen Johnson, and John Green. I guess they just get together and rub up against one another to let the genius juice get properly distributed? Man. ( )

I don't normally read YA fiction, so I was setting myself up to be disappointed by reading The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart as one of my first forays into the genre. It just wasn’t my type of book, and it unfortunately reinforced in my mind the stereotypes I have of YA fiction. Lots of people like this book, but as a newcomer to the YA genre, I am not one of them.

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