Spoken Word
The Mercy Watson Collection: Volume 1Kate DiCamillo, read by Ron McClarty. Listening Library, unabridged, one CD, 1.5 hours, $14.95 ISBN 0-307-28425-5
Because of Winn-Dixie, the Newbery Honor-winning debut of Kate DiCamillo, has made such a splash into popular culture that one can even purchase a plush "Winn-Dixie" toy. Her new character Mercy, the "porcine wonder," may be next in the popularity line. Certainly children will relate to this lovable porker, her relentless pursuit of "hot toast with a great deal of butter" and her ability to allow this narrow focus to lead her blindly into unforeseen situations (that, fortunately for her, inadvertently make her into the town hero). Actor-turned-writer Ron McLarty does an excellent job of narrating Mercy's adventures. His voice carries just the right balance of a knowing but friendly authority who himself is charmed by the overly enthusiastic Mercy. His years as a voiceover talent serve him well, allowing him to conjure up wonderful voices for all of the characters. Particularly fun is his cartoonish public official voice for Officer Tomillelo, whose internal dialogue goes like this: "Have laws been broken here? Most certainly, laws have been broken here." Ages 6-9. (June)
ValiantHolly Black, read by Renée Raudman. Listening Library, unabridged, six CDs, seven hours, $39 ISBN 0-7393-3121-3
What makes Black's books so appealing to young adult readers is their well-balanced mix of reality (including a healthy dose of sex), high-concept fantasy and old-fashioned mystery. Raudman's expert reading of Black's second book in what the author calls the Faerie series catches that delicate blend very well, giving equal weight and credibility to characters who are definitely human (like heroine Valerie, her dismal school mates, her tacky family and the sad young derelicts she meets in the subway tunnels of New York) and those who are from another world entirely—like the golden-eyed troll Ravus, who delivers a drug that heals faeries but kills the human runaways who steal it, looking for a way to improve their desperate condition. Raudman, whom listeners might recognize as several of the younger voices on The Simpsons, has a universally appealing voice likely to please hardcore fantasy fans and neophytes alike. Ages 14-up. (July)
Wait for MeAn Na, read by Kim Mai Guest. Listening Library, unabridged, four CDs, 4.5 hours, $30 ISBN 0-7393-3537-5
Guest gives a sensitive, nuanced performance as Mina, the Korean-American teenager who resorts to lying and doctoring her report cards to live up to the expectations of her mother, whose dream is for Mina to attend Harvard. This spot-on reading conveys Mina's conflicting emotions: fear of being caught in her deception, guilt at knowing that her mother worked hard and sacrificed to give her opportunities, resentment at all the pressure her mother puts on her, and most of all, a deep-seated longing to break free and live her own life. Additionally, Guest is wonderful in the role of the mother, with her heavy Korean accent and bossy nature, and also Suna, Mina's childlike, hearing-impaired younger sister. Children of immigrants will find a kindred spirit in Mina, while most young listeners will relate to the eternal teenage conflict: trying to please parents while finding one's own identity. Ages 12-up. (June)
The Clue of the Linoleum LederhosenM.T. Anderson, read by Marc Cashman. Listening Library, unabridged, four CDs, four hours, ISBN 0-307-28431-X
One listen to Cashman's delightful work here, and it's obvious that he relishes his role as narrator of this laugh-out-loud sequel to Anderson's Whales on Stilts. Lily and her friends, Jasper and Katie—both of whom happen to be stars of their own series of middle school adventure books—are trying to enjoy a well deserved vacation at the Moose Tongue Lodge and Resort. However, they find that several other children's book heroes are also staying at the resort. Then, before you can say "Jupiter's Moons!" the young heroes' simple R&R turns into a full-fledged mystery, complete with kidnappings, deadly snakes, narrow escapes and the theft of a priceless necklace. Anderson fills his book with oddball characters and inspired, rapid-fire dialogue, and Cashman matches him beat for outlandish beat. He leaps back and forth between characters with an energy and commitment that is infectious in its enthusiasm. This fine combination of author and material translates into an audio adventure that will tickle funny bones of all ages. Ages 10-up. (June)
Accidents of NatureHarriet McBryde Johnson, read by Jenna Lamia. Listening Library, unabridged, five CDs, 5.5 hours, $35 ISBN 0-7393-3530-8
A major benefit to the audio rendition of Johnson's poignant coming-of-age novel is experiencing the discrepancy between the palsied speech of disabled protagonist Jean and her eloquent inner thoughts. Lamia does an admirable job of capturing Jean's strained, halting cadences. And when inside the 17-year-old's free-flowing mind, Lamia's naturally youthful voice is imbued with the right amount of wonder, skepticism and self-doubt—a powerful reminder that disability is no indicator of intelligence or heart. Set in a 1970s summer camp for the disabled in North Carolina, Johnson's tale centers around Jean's relationship with feisty fellow camper Sarah, who is intent on opening Jean's eyes to the treatment of "crips" in the world. Lamia handles all accents, ages and genders with ease, even pulling off a male camper doing a Nixon impersonation. This audiobook should engage adults and adolescents alike, offering a glimpse into a world from which people often avert their gaze. For kids, it should help demystify the lives of the disabled, from bathroom rituals to sexuality to professional aspirations—and in turn, bring into sharp relief their oft-marginalized status in society. Ages 12-up. (June)
Henry and the Paper RouteBeverly Cleary, read by Neil Patrick Harris. HarperChildren's Audio, unabridged, three CDs, 3.5 hours, $22 ISBN 0-06-089831-1
The well-loved cast of characters is all here in this Cleary classic—Henry Huggins and pooch Ribsy, Beezus and her little sister Ramona the Pest. Youthful television actor Harris breathes life into the gang, and his versatility and boyish charms are on full display. In this tale of childhood ambition and ingenuity, 10-year-old Henry devises various schemes to realize his dream of starting a paper route, including an offer of free kittens for new subscriptions. Always lurking is unpredictable four-year-old Ramona. Unfortunately, she represents the narration's one trouble spot. Harris tends to overdo Ramona's voice, rendering her lines in a demanding scream-whine. She comes across as pest-like and annoying for sure, but lacking in dimension, as well. Otherwise, Harris flawlessly animates the entire neighborhood, from sweet and innocent Henry to cocky Scooter to lisping boy genius Murph. Originally written in 1957, this story may leave today's parents wistful about an era with such a carefree childhood. Kids, however, should still recognize themselves in these characters, clear as day. The audiobook also contains an insightful interview with Cleary. Ages 8-up. (July)
Ophie Out of OzKathleen O'Dell, read by Ann Marie Lee. Listening Library, unabridged, three CDs, 3.75 hours, $27 ISBN 0-7393-3117-5
Ophie Peeler thinks of herself as Dorothy waiting for something big to happen "somewhere over the rainbow." But Oregon isn't quite what Ophie had in mind. She misses her best friend, Lizzy, from back in California; she misses how she starred as Dorothy in the school play. Now her only friend is sort-of-strange Brittany Borg. Ophie dreams of singing with new classmates Mary and Rachel on a car commercial, and soon figures out a way to get into their good graces. But the divas of the fourth grade turn out to be the Wicked Witches of the West, as Ophie learns about being true to herself and her true friends. Lee's fine reading offers listeners just enough vocal variety to distinguish among the characters and just enough emotion to emphasize charming Ophie's take on what's important in life. The solid production quality and universal life lessons here make this a welcome addition to any audio library. Ages 8-up. (May)
Jumping the ScratchSarah Weeks, read by Stephen Spinella. HarperChildren's Audio, unabridged, three CDs, three hours, $22.95 ISBN 0-06-111653-X
It has been a rough year for 11-year-old Jamie Reardon. In short order, his cat, Mister, died, his father ran off with another woman, and the boy and his mother moved to a trailer park to live with his aunt Sapphy who, because of an accident at the cherry factory where she used to work, has lost her short-term memory and needs them to take care of her. Jamie is also suffering from being the new kid in school and bearing the brunt of a bully's attention. But worst of all is the dark secret that sits deep in Jamie's heart, a secret that he can't share with anyone, and that he would give anything to forget. Spinella brings a lovely sensitive quality to his narration of Weeks's novel, which is reminiscent of the old 1980s television series The Wonder Years, as an older, wiser Jamie looks back at an important, troubling and powerful earlier time in his life. Spinella's insightful performance brings notes of pre-teen innocence and angst to his characterization of Jamie, and is sure to connect with young listeners. Ages 10-up.(May)
Dairy QueenCatherine Gilbert Murdoch, read by Natalie Moore. Listening Library, unabridged, five CDs, six hours, $30 ISBN 0-7393-3547-2
If you ask15-year-old tomboy D.J. Schwenk, summer is off to a lousy start. But, since she's not real big on talking—and neither is anyone in her family—no one's likely to hear or understand her complaints. D.J. is saddled with all the chores at the Schwenk dairy farm while her father recuperates from an injury, her mother takes on extra work at the local school and her older, football-legend brothers stay away from home due to a family rift. Then Brian Nelson, the conceited quarterback from D.J.'s rival high school, is assigned by his coach (and Schwenk family friend) to help out on the farm. Sparks of all kinds, and cow pies, fly as D.J. and Brian eventually bond over work and football, and D.J. tries out for her own school's varsity team. Moore does an excellent job of mastering a natural, Midwestern accent that whisks listeners right to Wisconsin. She's wholly believable as a teenager struggling with attitudes about first love, friendship, gender and sexuality, self-confidence—and sports. Ages 12-up. (May)
A Certain Slant of LightLaura Whitcomb, read by Lauren Molina. Listening Library, unabridged, seven CDs, 8.5 hours, $45 ISBN 0-307-28610-X
By turns whispery, giddy and urgent, Molina's voice skillfully rides the emotional roller coaster of this gothic-style romance carried on by Victorian-era ghosts who come to inhabit nubile 21st-century teenage bodies. Helen, a passionate lover of literature who's been "light" since her death 130 years ago, has spiritually attached herself, invisible, to human hosts for decades. But when she is one day seen by a kindred spirit—literally—in James, a ghost now inhabiting a teen junkie's form, everything changes. Helen takes over the body of Jenny, the "empty" daughter of strict fundamentalist Christians. As humans, the two ghosts experience new sensations; they navigate contemporary social and romantic mores and also remember more about their own past lives among the living. The intriguing premise and eerie execution of this tale will arrest romance and ghost story fans alike. A few expletives and some graphic sexual encounters keep this firmly in the older listener category. Ages 14-up. (June)
