Monika Felice Smith has narrated 6 audiobooks on Listento.it by 5 authors. The most-rated is Payback on Poplar Lane.
Far Away
Summary
A book about life, loss, and the secrets families keep, reminiscent of Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons, by National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff. CJ's Aunt Nic is a psychic medium who tours the country speaking to spirits from Far Away, passing on messages from the dearly departed. And CJ knows firsthand how comforting those messages can be - Aunt Nic's Gift is the only way CJ can talk to her mom, who died just hours after she was born. So when CJ learns that she won't be able to speak to her mother anymore, even with Aunt Nic's help, she's determined to find a work-around. She sets off on road trip with her new friend Jax to locate the one object that she believes will tether her mother's spirit back to Earth...but what she finds along the way challenges every truth she's ever known. Ultimately, CJ has to sort out the reality from the lies. National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff has written a poignant, heartfelt novel that explores the lengths we go to protect those we love - and the power secrets have to change our worlds. Praise for Far Away: "Graff nimbly crafts a credible novel from the unlikely, shaping layered characters and unforeseen plot twists while exploring issues of truth and illusion - and the emotion-infused miasma that separates the two. A genuinely moving and memorable story." (Publishers Weekly, starred review) "The story is a genre blend of mystery and realistic family drama.... Graff never shies away from difficult topics, and this is as brave as expected." (Booklist) "Graff imbues CJ's story with many valuable lessons about forgiveness, respect, and honoring a variety of perspectives. A compelling coming-of-age tale that delicately approaches the complex topics of psychic mediums and grief." (School Library Journal)
©2019 Lisa Graff (P)2019 Listening Library
Property of the Rebel Librarian
Summary
Celebrate the freedom to read with this timely, empowering middle-grade debut in the spirit of The View from Saturday or Frindle. When 12-year-old June Harper's parents discover what they deem an inappropriate library book, they take strict parenting to a whole new level. And everything June loves about Dogwood Middle School unravels: Librarian Ms. Bradshaw is suspended; an author appearance is canceled; the library is gutted; and all books on the premises must have administrative approval. But June can't give up books...and she realizes she doesn't have to when she spies a Little Free Library on her walk to school. As the rules become stricter at school and at home, June keeps turning the pages of the banned books that continue to appear in the little library. It's a delicious secret...and one she can't keep to herself. June starts a banned book library of her own in an abandoned locker at school. The risks grow alongside her library's popularity, and a movement begins at Dogwood Middle- - a movement that, if exposed, could destroy her. But if it's powerful enough, maybe it can save Ms. Bradshaw and all that she represents: the freedom to read. Equal parts fun and empowering, this novel explores censorship, freedom of speech, and activism. For any kid who doesn't believe one person can effect change...and for all the kids who already know they can!
©2018 Allison Varnes (P)2018 Listening Library
Just Under the Clouds
Summary
Can you still have a home if you don't have a house? In the spirit of The Truth About Jellyfish and Fish in a Tree comes a stunning debut about a family struggling to find something lasting when everything feels so fleeting. Always think in threes and you'll never fall, Cora's father told her when she was a little girl. Two feet, one hand. Two hands, one foot. That was all Cora needed to know to climb the trees of Brooklyn. But now Cora is a middle schooler, a big sister, and homeless. Her mother is trying to hold the family together after her father's death, and Cora must look after her sister, Adare, who's just different, their mother insists. Quick to smile, Adare hates wearing shoes, rarely speaks, and appears untroubled by the question Cora can't help but ask: How will she find a place to call home? After their room at the shelter is ransacked, Cora's mother looks to an old friend for help, and Cora finally finds what she has been looking for: Ailanthus altissima, the "tree of heaven", which can grow in even the worst conditions. It sets her on a path to discover a deeper truth about where she really belongs. Just Under the Clouds will take root in your heart and blossom long after you've listened to the last minute. "[R]ich and evocative.... A moving book about an all-too-common childhood experience, which is fairly uncommon in children's literature." (Booklist) "Troubling, affecting, and ultimately uplifting, from a promising debut novelist." (Kirkus Reviews) "[A] heartbreaking yet hopeful story of a family searching for a place to belong." (Publishers Weekly)
©2018 Melissa Sarno (P)2018 Listening Library
Happily for Now
Summary
Fiona wants to fix people's problems - but what if she's the one who needs help? Kelly Jones, author of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, delivers a funny, take-charge heroine kids will love. Fiona may have problems, but she's no damsel in distress. She'd rather be the one wielding the wand in the story: She wants to be the fairy godperson. So when her mom sends her off to stay with relatives in a place called Cold Hope for the summer, Fiona decides it's time to start training for the role. And wow, do these people need help! Aunt Becky's bakery is failing, Great-Uncle Timothy draws but never speaks, and Great-Aunt Alta is the gloomiest, doomiest woman she's ever met. But helping people in the real world isn't as easy as it sounds in fairy tales. Change is messy. What if she's actually making things worse? Still, with practice (and some deep breaths), Fiona will discover that sometimes messy is okay. Sometimes things do get worse before they get better. And sometimes trying to help fix other people's problems can help you work on your own....
©2021 Kelly Jones (P)2021 Listening Library
President of Poplar Lane
Summary
The Poplar Kids are taking over their middle school in this uproariously funny sequel to Payback on Poplar Lane, which NYT best-selling author Chris Grabenstein called "the funniest book I've read in years." Clover O'Reilly is super psyched to run for class president. As the second oldest of five sisters, she struggles to be heard in her ginormous family. But when you are president of the seventh grade, everyone has listen to you! Comedy magician Mike the Unusual feels confident onstage. Offstage, life can be tricky. It's okay that his classmates don't understand him, but it bugs him when his dad suggests he needs more friends. Is he willing to give up his passion to win friends...and votes? Clover and Mike compete to rule their school in this sequel to Payback on Poplar Lane that's filled with scheming advisers, political gaffes, missteps that lead to big laughs...and campaign sabotage! Narrated by Luka Kain, Emily Eiden, Kim Mai Guest, Chris Gebauer, Monika Felice Smith, Erin Spencer, and Robbie Daymond.
©2019 Margaret Mincks (P)2019 Listening Library
Payback on Poplar Lane
Summary
ABC's Shark Tank meets The Terrible Two when two sixth grade entrepreneurs compete to become top mogul on their block. Twelve-year-old Peter Gronkowski prides himself on being a professional businessman. Tired of the clichéd lemonade stands that line his block, he decides to start a better business with the help of an intern. But his intern of choice, the quiet and writerly Rachel Chambers, turns out to be more than he bargained for. Rachel is innovative, resourceful, driven - and when she's had enough of Peter's overbearing management style, she decides to start a competing empire next door. As their rivalry and sabotage tactics become more outrageous - slander! Espionage! Lemonade threats! - Peter and Rachel ultimately learn the hard way that "nothing gold can stay" and that friendship is more important than money. Alternating perspectives reveal what really motivates each character to win. And Peter's memos and "business tips" as well as excerpts from Rachel's melodramatic novel-in-progress generate fresh hilarity and tension at every turn. Payback on Poplar Lane is a pitch-perfect comedy with heart.
©2018 Margaret Mincks (P)2018 Listening Library