Finkle & Frannie

By AJ Sullivan

A small family was moving across the country and stopped in Wyoming for the night. When they left in the morning, they had two extra passengers. Finkle and Frannie got into the car to avoid danger, but they stayed for the ride. These adventurous flies were ready to find a safer place to live. Suitable for ages 6 to 10 years.

  
  

REVIEW:

"I love it!" said my 6-year-old. 'Finkle and Frannie' is a fun, exciting, and relatable story. This story teaches about friendships, emotions, and problem-solving in a fun and realistic way. As a parent and educator, I will definitely recommend this book. We loved the story and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. It was easy to follow and a real page-turner.

Thanks for sharing,
MaryEllen and Ellie (the 6-year-old)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fox Pointe Publishing, LLP
• Release date: Nov 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393352938

AJ Sullivan

A.J. has a lot of stories to tell and file cabinets of manuscripts to prove it. She is finally starting her career as an author with her debut book scheduled for release in July 2020. Many more books, in a variety of genres for all age ranges, are sure to follow quickly. Her wide-range of stories comes from her experiences to date. During A.J.’s childhood, her father’s job moved the family every two to four years, and A.J.’s adult-life began in the Navy as a Russian Analyst. Later on, employment with an international corporation also moved her frequently. So far, she’s lived in 12 U.S. States and Spain. Between work and leisure travel, she has visited 47 of the 50 states and has traveled all over Europe. A.J. speaks Russian, German, Spanish, and, of course, English. Although A.J. is a few years from retirement, she is jumping feet-first into her next career as an author. Besides having ‘file cabinets stuffed with manuscripts,’ she is driven with creativity and the accountability to herself to finish what she started when first sitting down to write. A.J. believes in personal responsibility, community involvement, financial accountability, and compassion for others.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 by A.J. Sullivan

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All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Teacup Press, an imprint of Fox Pointe Publishing, LLP. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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www.teacup-press.com

www.foxpointepublishing.com/author-aj-sullivan

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

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Sullivan, A.J., author.

Eckman, Raven, editor.

Olson-Surface, Kayla, illustrator.

Hudson, Becca, designer.

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Finkle & Frannie / A.J. Sullivan. – First edition.⁣⁣

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Summary: Two flies in search of a new home hitch a ride on a human family’s cross-country roadtrip.

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ISBN 978-1-952567-40-7 (hardcover) /  978-1-952567-41-4 (softcover)

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[1. Insects – Fiction. 2. Travel – Fiction. 3. Humorous Stories.]

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2 0 2 0 9 1 9 8 6 0

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Printed and bound in the United States of America by Lakeside Press Inc.

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First printing October 2020

Chapter One

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FINKLE THE FLY lived in the parking lot of Jay’s Oasis in Sundance, Wyoming.

He had a full life—pleasant summers pestering Betsy the cow who lived next door and devouring the bits and pieces of food left by travelers. Caramel corn, fries, hot dogs, lettuce, and ice cream were just some of his daily fare.

The lot certainly provided everything Finkle needed. Food, fun, and friends were never far away.

Frannie, another fly, arrived at the lot during a late summer shower. She was trying to get out of the rain when she bumped into Finkle, who had been standing on the edge of the convenience store porch.

Oh, my! screeched Frannie as Finkle was sent spinning into the dirt under the dumpster next to the porch. I’m so sorry! It’s just that I hate the rain. Flying is so hard when my wings are wet. Frannie was talking so fast she forgot to breathe.

Finkle was dazed for a moment before he turned to face the rude fly who had just crashed into him. He nearly fell backward when he saw Frannie. She was beautiful! Her wings were perfectly formed and totally transparent. Her eyes were the largest, roundest eyes Finkle had ever seen.

Are you okay? Frannie asked nervously, afraid she’d hurt him.

When Finkle heard the concern in her voice, he smiled shyly. I’ll-I’ll be alright. He stood straighter to clean his front legs. My wings were ruffled, but I’m fine.

Frannie shook the rain off her wings. "My name