Written by New Jersey native Lisa Dekis and based on the experience of losing her own mother aged seven, ‘Frankie’s Angel: A Child’s Tale of Loss and Recovery’ showcases how imagination can foster hope during times of sadness. Aside from gripping readers with its unique coming-of-age story, the novella also warns caretakers not to gloss over the uncomfortable symptoms of a child’s grief.

Princeton, NJ -- (SBWire) -- 12/18/2013 --While many authors pull narratives from their imaginations, Lisa Dekis’ ‘Frankie’s Angel: A Child’s Tale of Loss and Recovery’ was inspired by the harrowing experience of losing her mother at the age of seven. What started as a gripping story has now flourished into a literary wake-up call to the true fragility of children.

The novel pulls no punches in depicting what childhood grief and sadness really looks like. It also serves as a reminder this holiday season to reach children with compassion.

Synopsis:
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 Withdrawn and heavy-hearted, Frankie spends more and more time alone, both at home and at her new school.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. The angel asked herself - how does a virtuous schoolgirl cope with crushing loneliness after losing her flamboyant mother? She already knows all, our seven-year-old. 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 is the angel 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 the angel sings: I’m an angel, not a saint.

As the author explains, her story has vital pertinence to reality.

“We often forget that children can experience great loss at a time in their development when the world still appears innocent. Many caretakers will gloss over grief’s uncomfortable symptoms. After losing my own mother at such a young age I retreated to live a life of silence and sadness, losing out on many years that should have been happy,” says Dekis.

Since its release, the book has garnered a string of rave reviews. For example, a noted Princeton Psychiatrist proclaims Frankie’s Angel is ‘a skillful melding of the pain of lost grief interposed with raucous humor. It is laced with important life lessons.”

Further, a five-star review proves the book’s worth in saying, “I was so moved, I read sections to my 11 year-old boy to remind him that compassion is a character trait he cannot be without.”

‘Frankie’s Angel: A Child’s Tale of Loss and Recovery’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1dhAM5g.

About the Author: Lisa Dekis
Lisa Dekis (formerly Wasko) was born in 1960 in Trenton, NJ, where she enjoyed watching coal trucks deliver black rocks to basements, seeing the front door, letter flap open and the mail fall into the house, loved to watch the pizza man toss dough, and ran all the way to the corner store for penny candy. Tragically in 1967, Lisa lost her flamboyant mother - a singer, writer, prank player, bowler, gorgeous mother of three. She graduated from Rider College in 1999, as well as Rosemont College in 2005 with an MS is English Literature. She works in the controller’s departments for a major pharmaceutical company.