Frankie's Angel

By: Lisa Dekis

Narrated by: Autumn Hollis

Seven-year-old Frankie awakens the morning after her mother’s surgery to learn a horrible truth from her father: “Mommy didn’t make it.” Frankie’s life turns upside down as the house fills with visitors, a funeral is held, and Mommy lies in a satin coffin wearing a dress she’d never be caught—well, dead, wearing. It's powder blue! All wrong, wrong, wrong!

Sadness envelops Frankie. She listens to children playing in the neighborhood, instead of joining them. She stays in her room, coloring, or reading, or otherwise drowning herself in grief. Withdrawn and heavy-hearted, Frankie spends more and more time alone, both at home and at her new school.

Luckily, a novice guardian is soaking in a hot tub when her number is called. "Hey, you're up," She is told she's been assigned to Frankie, and almost immediately the angel is on the case. She lingered in Rome a while before reporting to duty, but, she'll tell you her excuse about that later.

As she flies down she asks herself: "How does a virtuous schoolgirl cope with crushing loneliness after losing her flamboyant mother? She already knows all, our seven-year-old, Franciska, I mean—Frankie does it by journaling—and by inventing me a mischievous imaginary friend, and guardian angel; not to brag, but, my direct honesty and quirky humor liberates the bewildered child as she forges through her identity crises, but am I imaginary, or real? Either truth—adventure, compassion, irreverence, and setting goals for the future while rejoining childhood, bring life back to the red-headed girl with no mother. Remember, I'm an angel not a saint, so when Frankie's housekeeper, Veronica, calls Frankie a devil—watch out—her candy apples don’t cure, and her dumplings don’t rise. And you want to talk about facial hair? Veronica could now braid the hair that comes out of her warts. Pay attention. Like I said: I’m an angel, not a saint."

©2013 Lisa A. Dekis (P)2022 Lisa A. Dekis

Amazing Talented Author

I had to wipe a tear, then found myself laughing as the author delivers a painfully candid diary of a Motherless 7 year old girl. The narrator’s voice beautifully embodies the heart of the child. The descriptive details of the 1960’s naive mindset towards smoking mixed with good old fashioned vacations at the Jersey shore in Ocean City was an enchanting trip reminding me of good old times from my childhood. Can’t wait for a follow up book.

Lyrical and sharply detailed

Thoroughly enjoyed this deep dive into a child's experience of the loss of her mother. Dekis's attention to detail masterfully evokes not only the time period but also the inner landscape of a child's grief. Frankie 's voice is successfully captured by the reader, Autumn Hollis, and you will find yourself rooting for Frankie all the way through. Highly reccommend!

Frankie's Angel

I absolutely loved this short book! It was very well written and could have been a bit longer. Autumn Hollis was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Amazing, not what I was expecting, I loved it!

Deeply moving and so totally unexpected, this story really and truly GOT to me! Beautifully written in a stunningly effective format with characters so original and so well developed I swear I could reach out and touch them, THIS story powerfully resonates as someone’s heartbreaking truth! Brought to life by astounding narration, it is a story I will never, ever forget. As I listened, I was a complete mess, totally immersed in the story, alternately laughing and crying uncontrollably! It was THAT powerful, THAT emotional, THAT heartbreaking. No spoilers, invite the girls over, break out the snacks, drinks, tissues, and make a night if it! Oh, and it NEEDS to be said, if there is ever a sequel or continuation, I WANT it. Five stunning stars. I am completely blown away! AMAZING!

awesome !!! but not for kids!!

this book is a delightfully quirky look at grief through the eyes of a child and her guardian angel.