Audio

-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2006

Language Arts | Literature | Music

Language Arts

Agnes Parker…Happy Camper? (unabr.). 3 cassettes. 3:43 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 0-307-20706-4. $30.

Gr 4-6-Agnes Parker and her best friend, the blossoming and beautiful Prejean, go to science camp for four weeks in Kathleen O'Dell's enjoyable sequel (Dial, 2005) to Agnes Parker…Girl in Progress (July 2005, p. 57). Agnes is very upset when she's assigned to the Mallards cabin and Prejean and an acquaintance named Natalie are placed in the Swans cabin. Agnes's bunk mate, Nissa, is a surly, rebellious, and perceptive girl. She thinks there's a conspiracy afoot since all of the Mallards are weird or wear glasses while all of the Swans are popular and attractive. During the first week, the girls say that Prejean is a flirt and stuck up because of her model-like appearance. Agnes and Nissa begin to get along, while Natalie and Prejean become closer. Jealousy spills over, causing a huge fight between the former best friends. Many issues are gently worked into the light but involving story: appearances can be misleading, events can be misconstrued, honesty is important, and friendship can be difficult but ultimately worth the effort. Cassandra Campbell is an excellent narrator and helps listeners become comfortable with the unusual first-person narration. She sounds like a teenage girl and is particularly effective in portraying Nissa and Agnes. Preteens will enjoy this audiobook and relate to many of the experiences and concerns of the characters.—B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

The Alchemist's Son, Part II: Soul Stealer (unabr.). 5 cassettes. 7:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-5073-0. $45.75; read-along pack: $67.74.

Gr 5-8-Can three teens with good intentions thwart an ancient magician's plan to take over England's nuclear energy infrastructure? Fans of Martin Booth's Doctor Illuminatus (Aug. 2005, p. 63), the first title in The Alchemist's Son series, will relish this action-packed (though highly implausible) sequel (Little Brown, 2005) with its convoluted plot, enticing mixture of alchemy and adventure, and battle between the forces of good and evil. British actor Steven Crossley's narration highlights the different personalities of the main characters and makes it easy to follow the story. In particular, his rendition of Sebastian's struggle to alter his naturally formal and precise character so that he blends in with Pip and Tim's junior high classmates will have listeners chuckling.—Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH

Blood Red Horse (The de Granville Trilogy, Book 1) (unabr.). 7 cassettes or 9 CDs. 9:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-5115-X: $65.85; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5602-2: $89.75; read-along pack: $113.70.

Gr 5-9-Maggie Mash's superb performance of K.M. Grant's debut novel (Walker, 2005) set in the Third Crusade of England's King Richard I will captivate listeners. The first in a projected trilogy, this adventure begins as 13-year-old William de Granville chooses an impractical warhorse from his father's stable. Hosanna, the small red stallion, is scoffed at for his unsuitability as a knight's steed. But his would-be critics soon learn that the creature possesses a marvelous speed and grace. When William's older brother Gavin rides Hosanna past the animal's endurance in a hunt, the horse is severely wounded and his spirit broken.William sends Hosanna to the monks for healing. To everyone's great joy, the plucky horse makes a miraculous recovery and proudly marches off to Jerusalem with the two brothers. Left behind is their cousin Ellie who is promised to Gavin in marriage upon his return. The young Crusaders find that war is not a glorious affair. Their father dies, friends are killed in bloody battles, Gavin loses an arm, and Hosanna is captured by a Saracen. Listeners will be spellbound by Mash's ability to slip into different voices as William, his gruff older brother, gentle Ellie, and the Muslim leader Salidan and his ambitious assistant, Kamil. The author treats both Saracen and Christian camps with equanimity and never romanticizes war. Through it all, Hosanna remains an unsinkable hero and a mystical talisman, uniting sworn enemies William and Kamil as they struggle together to save the horse after he is wounded in battle. This dramatic tale of honor, just causes, and loyalty would transfer well to the silver screen.Meanwhile, fans will beg for the second installment, Green Jasper, slated for April 2006 release.—Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA

Brooklyn Rose (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3:50 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3579-0: $31.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3852-8: $29.75; read-along pack: $40.70.

Gr 5-7-It's 1900, and 15-year-old Rose doesn't want to get married for a long time. But believing that Rene Dumarest, twice her age, holds the mortgage on her family plantation, she accepts his marriage proposal. Rose moves from her South Carolina island home to New York City where she must grow into her role of wife. Written as Rose's journal, Ann Rinaldi's story (Harcourt, 2005), a fictionalized account of her own grandparents' lives, chronicles Rose and Rene's courtship and first months of marriage. Finding herself married to a millionaire, directing the hired help, dealing with the snobby neighborhood matrons, and encountering prejudicial attitudes she didn't experience back home all contribute to Rose's maturation. A visit from her domineering mother-in-law, Charlotte, is the final impetus for Rose to grow up. Nothing in the text suggests that Rose is looking back on her journal in later years, so narrator Kate Forbes's mature voice doesn't seem to fit, though she reads clearly at a well-measured pace. Rose does not have a strong Southern accent, and not much differentiates her voice from her mother, sister, or island nemesis, Amelia Caper. French émigré husband, Rene, doesn't have a "slight French accent," and Charlotte, visiting from France, doesn't always speak with a French accent. Bridget, one of the Irish hired help, has a slight brogue that comes and goes. Purchase where Rinaldi's historical fiction novels are very popular.—Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library, Mt. Pleasant, MI

The Case of the Fidgety Fox (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). cassette. 21:03 min. Live Oak Media. 2005. cassette with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-404-5: $16.95; cassette with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-405-3: $25.95; cassette with 4 paperback books, ISBN 1-59519-406-8: $18.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-408-8: $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-409-6, $28.95; CD with 4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59519-410-X, $31.95.

PreS-Gr 3-In the sixth entry in Cynthia Rylant's The High-Rise Private Eyes series (HarperCollins, 2003) Bunny Brown and Jack Jones-a rabbit and a raccoon-face another puzzling case. Who took bus-driver Melvin's lucky fluffy dice? Time for Bunny's notepad, as she jots down clues. While she is the brains of this team, Jack is clearly the stomach…and comic relief. The mystery is not very complicated, but it's secondary to the banter between our heroes. William DuFris gives each character a very distinctive voice and reads the story in a way that would please Dragnet fans. Sound effects and well-chosen music enhance the text. This is a great listening experience that should bring a grin to most faces, along with a burning desire for chips with cheesy dip.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

The Case of the Sleepy Sloth (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). 1 cassette or 1 CD. 19:50 min. Live Oak Media. 2005. cassette with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-412-6: $16.95, cassette with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-413-2: $29.95; cassette with 4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59519-414-2: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-416-9: $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-417-7: $28.95; CD with 4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59519-418-5: $31.95.

PreS-Gr 3-Ramon's favorite lawn chair has disappeared. He saw it on Monday, but now it's not there.He meets two private eyes-Bunny Brown and Jack Jones-who agree to take the case and investigate.The duo first search Ramon's houseboat and find nothing.When they finally discover the chair, they reach a compromise that is sure to please everyone. Cynthia Rylant's fifth entry in The High Rise Private Eyes series (Greenwillow, 2002) is read by William Dufris. The melodramatic narration is reminiscent of detective movies that were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Dufris does an outstanding job of using slightly different vocal inflections to differentiate between the characters. One track has page-turn signals. This read-along for beginning readers is a sure-fire winner for young sleuths.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery (unabr.). 6 cassettes. 8 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-5747-6. $37.75; read-along pack: $59.95.

Gr 6-9-Peter Abrahams' splendid contemporary mystery (Laura Geringer Book, 2005) is ripe with allusions to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Arthur Conan Doyle's stories about Sherlock Holmes, and Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder. It all starts when 13-year-old Ingrid Levin-Hill's mother is late picking her up from the orthodontist and Ingrid decides to walk to soccer practice. She gets lost and ends up on the wrong side of town in the house of a well-known poor woman, Cracked-up Katie. Katie is murdered shortly after Ingrid heads home, leaving her red soccer cleats behind. Ingrid isn't sure that the two men who are arrested actually committed the murder, so she becomes deeply entrenched in investigating what happened, while she tries to maintain her grades in math, get to soccer practice on time, learn her role as Alice in the Prescott Player's production of Alice in Wonderland, and sort out how to act around Joey, her potential first boyfriend and the police chief's son. Ingrid is an impressive heroine who learns that there are consequences to her actions and that her extremely busy parents and quirky grandfather care about her very much. This is the first young adult novel by Edgar Award nominated Peter Abrahams. His third person account is rich with red herrings and pop culture references. This works well as an audiobook because actress Mandy Siegfried hits just the right note in portraying Ingrid and her varied cast of supporting characters. Tension builds throughout the story as Ingrid's dread becomes palpable. The denouement is a masterful mix of derring-do and smart thinking.Although this mystery is solved, there is a feeling that a sequel might follow. A good choice for those who like Sammy Keyes and Nancy Drew mysteries.—Jo-Ann Carhart, West Islip Public Library, NY

Eldest (unabr.). 14 cassettes or 20 CDs. approx. 23:27 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4000-9863-7: $65; CD, ISBN 0-307-28228-0: $85. 

Gr 5 Up-Eldest (Knopf, 2005), Christopher Paolini's much-anticipated sequel to Eragon (Knopf, 2003; Listening Library, 2004) is filled with the magic of elves, dwarves, and dragons, as well as the human struggles of villagers beleaguered by the dark forces of Galbatorix, a tyrannical king. Opening on the battlefield where Eragon and his dragon companion, Saphira, have been victorious, the novel splits into two story strands that meet in the midst of another combat engagement at the book's conclusion. In the interim, Eragon and Saphira are involved in a bit of political intrigue, a little romance, and long periods of rigorous training, while Roran, Eragon's older cousin, joins with other farmers and tradesmen to defend and then flee their remote hometown of Carvahall. Ra'zacs, the treacherous creatures who killed Roran's father, are not only after him, they have also snatched his true love, Katrina. Eragon has not forgotten his friends and kin, but he is absorbed with his responsibilities as Dragon Rider. When the cousins' circuitous paths converge, they fight beside an army both human and magical to repel Galbatorix's forces again. The two strong-willed young men also resolve past misunderstandings surrounding the death of the man who raised both of them. Even with a plot that covers many detailed passages and a huge cast of characters, narrator Gerard Doyle masterfully sustains the intense personalities of the two questing men and the gravelly-voiced dragon. The sound quality and case are as solid and sturdy as the powerful-looking dragon who stares out from the cover. Reading and recalling Eragon will be very helpful for listeners as they try to follow the sequel's complex series of events and myriad characters. This fantasy/adventure has enough bloody battles and heroic rescues to keep fans of the genre happily engaged. Sure to be popular, especially since there's still one more book to come in the Inheritance trilogy.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Flush (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. approx. 5:23 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-28289-9: $35; CD, ISBN 0-307-28290-2: $45. 

Gr 5 Up-In Flush (Knopf, 2005), Carl Hiaasen's ecological concerns focus on illegal dumping of raw sewage from a floating casino. Noah Underwood's dad has sunk the gambling ship,the Coal Queen, in protest. Now the elder Underwood is launching a media campaign from his jail cell to raise public awareness since the sewage-spewing ship will soon be back in operation. Though Noah and his younger sister Abbey believe in their father's cause, they also fear their mother will file for divorce if he continues to react so outrageously to environmental issues. After a few false starts and run-ins with the casino owner's son and the ship's hired goon, the siblings come up with a plan to use food coloring to expose the hazardous dumping.  Working with Shelly, the casino's bartender, and aided by a mysterious white-haired man, Noah and Abbey set their trap, but end up adrift off the Florida Keys.Rescue and an unexpected family reunion make their successful exposure of the corrupt casino owner even sweeter. It takes a few more plot twists before the Coral Queen is closed forever, and by then Noah's parents have learned better ways to manage their marital problems. Michael Welch's narration neatly balances the protagonist's earnest youthfulness with the story's humor. In the manner of Hoot (Knopf, 2002), Hiaasen's award-winning first foray into young adult novels, Flush deals with serious ecological and personal issues. With good insight into real world relationships plus a mix of solid citizens and offbeat good guys, this audiobook has broad appeal and will be valued in middle school, high school, and public libraries.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT 

Freddy and the Popinjay (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-0327-9. $39.75; read-along pack: $70.70.

Gr 4-6-Walter Brooks' story (Overlook Press, 2001), originally published in 1945, is a charming fantasy involving the Bean farm animals and the people of Centerborough. Freddy, the poem writing pig, is at the heart of the story. He helps the nearsighted Jay-Jay, the robin, to buy glasses. He finds Mrs. Church a bird to play the part of the bird on her family crest at her niece's wedding. And he helps develop the self-esteem of Jimmy Witherspoon who had been the farm's bully. Actor John McDonough captures the nuances of each character with different voice pitches and manners of speech. This audiobook will be enjoyed by listeners who have matured beyond the level of Babe or Charlotte's Web.—Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Geronimo Stilton, Books 4-6 (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs.3 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2004. cassette, ISBN 1-4000-9870-X: $23; CD, ISBN 0-307-20687-4: $30.

Geronimo Stilton, Books 7-9 (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3:02 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24572-1: $23; CD, ISBN0-307-24573-X: $30.

Gr 2-4-Life is never dull on Mouse Island for Geronimo Stilton and his family and friends. In I'm Too Fond of My Fur!, Geronimo travels to Mouse Everest where he comes face to face with a yeti. In Four Mice Deep in the Jungle, Geronimo seems to be giving in to all of his fears, so his sister Thea and cousin Trap drag him off to the jungle to cure him. In Paws Off, Cheddarface, there's a Geronimo look alike in town and the imposter's trying to take over The Rodent's Gazette. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count finds Geronimo and Thea in Transratania, home of vampire bats. Geronimo and Trap are captured by a ship of pirate cats in Attack of the Bandit Cats. Geronimo's dream vacation of rest and relaxation turns out to be anything but in A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo. The adventurous spirit shared by Geronimo and his friends is enjoyably conveyed by actor Edward Hermann who gives each character a unique voice. Background music and occasional sound effects add to the stories. A sound addition to collections where Geronimo Stilton is popular.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Leon and the Champion Chip (unabr.) 6 CDs. 7 hrs. HarperCollins. 2005. ISBN 0-06- 082056-X. $25.95. 

Gr 3-6-Allen Kurzweil's comic sequel (Greenwillow, 2005) to Leon and the Spitting Image (Greenwillow, 2003) focuses on a fifth grade class fascinated by potato chips, and three friends trying to tame the class bully.  Leon is still busy helping his mom at the "all pets welcome" hotel, and along with friends P.W. and Lily-Matisse, he's trying to turn a rag doll into a comic paranormal medium for controlling tough guy Henry Lumpkin. Despite Lumpkin's continuing harassment, potato chip collector Leon is excited when Mr. Sparks, the new science teacher, announces they'll be using Leon's favorite snack food as the basis for the year's curriculum. In order to earn money for his rag doll project, Leon enters an international potato chip competition where he wins second place using the scientific methods he's learned from Mr. Sparks. When parents protest about the constant potato chip lessons, Leon and his classmates successfully prove the value of snack food science. Narrator Matt Labyorteaux peppers the recording with Leon's perky enthusiasm and imbues the diverse cast of characters with distinct personalities. There's also an interview featuring the author and his son. The sound quality is good and the cover information is cleverly presented, but the cardboard case will need to be repackaged for circulation. An amusing additional purchase for elementary school and public libraries.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). 1 cassette or 1 CD. 17:05 min. Live Oak Media. 2005. cassette with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-388-X: $16.95; cassette with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-389-8: $25.95; cassette with 4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59519-390-1: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-392-8: $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-393-6: $28.95; CD with 4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59519-394-4: $31.95.

PreS-Gr 3-Minnie and Moo return in another adventure, this one involving a runaway bed, their friends from the farm, Halloween trick-or-treating, and a truly horrible nightmare where a giant mouse eats the last bit of chocolate in the whole world. After a harrowing ride into town on the runaway bed, Minnie's friends declare the cure for chasing away bad dreams is treats, preferably chocolate treats. Watching trick-or-treaters collect their goodies just down the street, Moo recognizes a way to get them all some chocolate treats to chase away any more bad dreams. Readers will chuckle as the animals attempt to trick their way to bags full of candy. An adult in mouse costume reminds Minnie of her nightmare and scares her into action. The bed gets pushed back home to lie under the old oak tree at the farm, where they all take a well-deserved snooze. Narrator Barbara Caruso's expressive voice will keep readers engaged. Background noises such as the squeaky bedsprings and ringing doorbells enhance the text. This level 3 I Can Read Book will satisfy beginning readers.—Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Once Upon a Curse (unabr.). 5 cassettes. 6:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-3926-5. $47.75; read-along pack: $70.70.

Gr 4-6-Princess Emma discovers that turning 16 will neither be sweet nor will it likely involve a kiss unless she can reverse a curse that was placed on her ancestor, Hazel, by a disgruntled fairy centuries ago. As a result of the curse, all female descendants in her bloodline are doomed to a nasty personality, ugly face, and untimely old age should they touch a flower after reaching their 16th birthday. Joined by her fiancé, Prince Eadric, and her bat companion, Li'l, Emma travels back in time in an attempt to break the family curse by circumventing certain preceding events. While she searches for answers, Emma staves off griffins, harpies, and a dragon from attacking the kingdom. E.D. Baker's third installment (Bloomsbury, 2004) in The Tales of the Frog Princess trilogy is narrated by actress Katherine Kellgren whose sonorous voice adds an element of magic to the chants and spells in the book. Kellgren's spellbinding performance makes up for the book's occasional logical inconsistency and excessive digression into subplots. For instance, the romance between Emma's bat friend and Prince Garrid could have been omitted. The only voice discrepancy is the slight variation in Prince Garrid's voice which begins as a quaint foreign accent and later transforms into a trite Transylvanian accent. While this episode can be followed without having read the previous two books (The Frog Princess and Dragon's Breath), some nuances and the relationships between the characters will be more understandable to those familiar with the previous titles. Students who enjoyed J.T. Petty's Clemency Pogue: Fairy Killer (S & S, 2005) and Gail Carson Levine's classic Ella Enchanted (HarperTrophy, 1997) will find this title a delight. This humorous and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy should be purchased by school and public libraries already circulating the previous two books.—Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Secrets of Droon, Books 4-6 (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 3:16 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 0-307-24604-3. $23.

Gr 2-4-In these three tales by Tony Abbott (all Scholastic), Julie, Neil, and Eric enter the underground world of Droon through a secret portal in Eric's basement stairs. In City in the Clouds, the three friends rejoin Princess Keeah, a wizard in training, in Droon. They are taken to the City in the Clouds to find a cure for Neal, who has turned into a bug.They also learn more about the evil Lord Sparr's plot to take over Droon. The trio return to Droon in The Great Ice Battle to try to unfreeze the City of Jaffa which Lord Sparr has turned to ice. In The Sleeping Giant of Goll, the friends battle a giant who is under Lord Sparr's spell. They are able to put an end to the mechanical giant by creating a dust storm. The plots are fast moving and they fit neatly together, but each tale can be understood without having read or listened to the previous books. Narrator Oliver Wyman creates a number of different voices for the characters. This series will serve as a stepping stone for young fantasy fans who have outgrown Dragon Tales but aren't yet ready for Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia.—Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Tales of the Dark Forest: Whizzard! (unabr.). 6 cassettes. 7:02 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5065-6. $32.95.

Gr 3-6-The plot in this fast-paced, humorous fantasy by British author Steve Barlow moves quickly and neatly from one adventure to the next as Tym gets into and tries to get out of one mess after another. While avoiding his chores, Tym meets the Dream Walker who teaches him to make a potion that allows him to move extra quickly, thus becoming a "Whizzard."Tym meets many familiar fairy tale characters through his travels, such as the bear family from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. He also encounters a number of colorful characters, such as Captain Lisa, the pirate who makes her crew of men brush their teeth and carry clean hankies.So much of the story is spent on the action of the plot and the introduction of the host of characters, that there is little room for Tym's development.Listeners only get a glimpse of his motives in his dreams with the Dream Walker, who is somewhat of a father figure that guides Tym to his new career as a messenger between cities. BBC radio actor Graham Seed has the perfect voice for narrating the tale, nimbly changing his voice for each character-Tym's voice is a bit high and dreamy while the Dream Walker sounds wise and noble with a deeper voice. This sequel to Goodknyght! is an enjoyable tale.—Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Trixie Belden #3: The Gatehouse Mystery (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 5:47 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 1-4000-9118-7. $35.

Gr 3-6-Trixie returns in her third mystery by Julie Campbell, still stubborn and rash, still best friends with Honey Wheeler, and still solving mysteries.This time around, Trixie and Honey discover a diamond in an abandoned gatehouse on the Wheeler estate. Who dropped it there? Was it a burglar, the gardener, the chauffeur?No one else buys into Trixie's early hunch at the identity of the guilty party, but after various events and coincidences are strung together, her theory turns out to be correct. While changes were made to regularize spelling, the original 1951 content was not updated. Much is made of Trixie's inability to sew, and one of her brothers worries what their father will think if he sees their older brother carrying such a "feminine article" as a pin cushion. This recording is based on the reissued edition (Random House, 2003). Ariadne Myers voices all the characters so that they can be easily distinguished, but she's most successful with the female characters. Her reading is clear, expressive, and well paced. Trixie's fans will be well satisfied.—Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library, Mt. Pleasant, MI

A Year Full of Stories: 366 Stories and Poems (unabr.). 8 CDs. 8:15 hrs. Bolinda Audio Books. 2005. ISBN 1-74093-624-8. $64.

PreS-Gr 2-This collection from the book by Georgie Adams (Doubleday, 1997) offers up 366 stories and rhymes-one for each day of a leap year. Some tales are a few minutes in length, some poems are just a few seconds long, but all together they celebrate daily events in the life of a child. A peppy trumpet fanfare opens this delightful collection, segueing into a light rag tune as the narrator reads credits. Five male and female narrators take turns by reading several months worth of stories and poems in chronological order. For each entry, the date is announced during a very brief musical interlude, then the story or poem is read. The ever-changing musical selections are marvelous. The quality of the tales and rhymes are inconsistent. An insert with dates and titles would have been very helpful. While this is a fine production, one wonders in what venue youngsters would listen to a story or rhyme every single day.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton, OH

Literature

Best Foot Forward (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:35 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24612-4: $30; CD, ISBN 0-307-24629-9: $38.

Gr 7-10-In Joan Bauer's sequel (Putnam, 2005) to Rules of the Road (Putnam, 1998),Jenna Boller is back at work in the shoe store after spending the summer driving her boss, Mrs. Gladstone, from Chicago to Texas. As she gears up for 11th grade, she splits her time between home, Al-anon meetings, and her much-loved job at Gladstone Shoes. Jenna is appalled when Mrs. Gladstone offers shoplifter Tanner Cobb a job. And when Mrs. G. insists that Jenna mentor Tanner, she grudgingly agrees. Tanner's good looks and charm do little to win over Jenna, but his obvious love for his broken family persuades her that he just might be trustworthy.When Mrs. G's horrible son brings Gladstone Shoes to its corporate knees, Jenna and Tanner unite behind the owner. Narrator Kathe Mazur is just the right voice for Jenna, allowing her independence and vulnerability to shine through. While the plot is uncomplicated and a story about a girl working in a shoe store may be a hard sell to teens, those who listen will be richly rewarded.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Prom (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Recorded Books.2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-5097-8: $37.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5610-0: $48.75; read-along pack: $61.74.

Gr 8 Up-Ashley is a high school senior trying to serve out her detentions between seeing her boyfriend, TJ, and occasionally going to class in this novel by Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking, 2005). She doesn't plan on attending the upcoming prom, but after the math teacher steals the funds for the big event, Ashley sees how much the dance means toher friends and decides to do whatever she can to make it happen. Actress Katherine Kellgren reads at a rapid pace with her extremely versatile voice. The novel is told in the first person, and Kellgren changes both pitch and tone for the different characters. This is especially pronounced with the nasal tones of the voices of Ashley's mother and aunts. The accent seems to be more New Jersey or New York City than Philadelphia, where the novel takes place, but this won't bother listeners who will be entertained by the marvelous, diverse vocal changes. Since some chapters are quite short, one sentence or one paragraph, the reading of the chapter numbers can be distracting. Teens will be delighted with this sincere yet humorous tale.—Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Scorpia (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 7 CDs. 8:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-4598-2:$54.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5594-5: $69.75; read-along pack: $94.74.

Gr 7-10-Fifth in the series of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider Adventures (Philomel, 2005), Scorpia picks up where the previous book, Eagle Strike (Philomel, 2004; Recorded Books, 2005), left off. The 14-year-old schoolboy secret agent finds himself in Venice after he hears the words of dying assassin Yassen Gregorovich: "Go to Venice. Find Scorpia. And you will find your destiny." So he travels to Venice with his friend Tom to foil the evil plot of Scorpia, a terrorist organization, to kill thousands of London children and to discover his dead father's identity. Insinuating himself into the good graces of Julia Rothman, one of Scorpia's evil executives, he makes his way down a tortuous path of sinister doings and deeds that leads to the explosive ending Horowitz fans crave. Narrator Simon Prebble, a veteran of British stage and radio, narrates this gripping adventure story with charm, gusto, and poise. Through his voice, Alex comes to life as a schoolboy, spy, and adventurer. An excellent addition to teen collections.—Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, Sanford, FL

Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers: More Mad, Marvy Confessions of Georgia Nicholson (unabr).4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-5091-9: $37.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5590-2: $48.75; read-along pack: $71.74.

Gr 7-9-The latest installment by Louise Rennison (HarperTempest, 2005) in the growing list of confessions courtesy of Georgia Nicholson is sure to please her fans. Loaded with grooviosity and humorosity, Georgia tells of her newest obsession-the hunk that is Masimo. Georgia and her family, along with her best friend, Jas, are on their way to "hamburger-a-go-go-land," aka The United States, for a family holiday. They are headed for Memphis, which elicits some hilarious images of Georgia's father and uncle as they prepare to enter the home of Elvis. Georgia is convinced that New York City, where Masimo is on tour with his band, can't be all that far away-after all, it is only a few inches on the map and there must be a simple way to find him. While the trip represents less than half the story, it brings with it some of the funniest moments-Georgia preparing her wardrobe for the trip, Jas and Georgia on bucking-bronco stools, very creative interpretations of U.S. lingo, and glimpses at Americans through her eyes. The rest of Georgia's confessions touch on pure silliness and the interesting perspective that she has on life, her friends, snogging, boys, and even shoes. Narrated by the author, the beginning of the audio and instances where multiple characters are represented in Georgia's diary are difficult to follow. Listeners need not be fully versed in the earlier entries of Georgia's confessions, but it probably would help with keeping some of the characters clear. Fans of the series will eagerly await the next installment.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Music

The Great Green Squishy Mean Concert CD. 1 CD. 51:30 min. with lyrics. Monty Harper Prods. 2005. ISBN 0-9701081-6-8. $15.

PreS-Gr 3-Monty Harper, whose previous releases include Take Me to Your Library (July 2003, p. 73) and Imagine, has produced another entertaining and original collection for kids. He provides the vocals for the 13 songs and is accompanied by the Thrice Upon a Time Band. Harper is known for his library friendly songs and this collection does not disappoint. All of the tunes included here were recorded at concerts. "The Great Green Squishy Mean Bibliovore," about a dinosaur that is a cross between a bookworm and a dinosaur, is sure to have kids giggling out loud. Another song that celebrates reading and will be a hit with kids and librarians is "Hanging Out with Heroes at the Library." In this tune, Harper describes well-known book characters and children are encouraged to solve the riddle. Other child-friendly topics include loose teeth and fire trucks. All of the songs are silly and fun and will appeal to children. Many of them include movement activities for young listeners. A must have for public and school libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Lovely Family, Volumes 1-3. 3 CDs. range: 36-38:16 min. Lovely Baby Music. 2005. $15.98 ea.

PreS-Fans of Raimond Lap's Lovely Baby CD series will love this subtler series, designed for parents and children to enjoy together. Where the Lovely Baby CDs sought to stimulate babies with real-world sounds and the basics of melody, the Lovely Family series aims to provide soothing music for times of togetherness. With powerful melodies and balanced harmonies, Lap's music pulls in diverse instrumental sounds that will appeal to grownups and kids. From the serene "The Essence of Harmony" on Volume 1, to the playful "Happy Reggae" on Volume 2, to the soothing "Peaceful Thinking" on Volume 3, these discs are not shy about their mission; their motto is "Magical music for better living." While some adults may dismiss the series as "New Age for kids" due to the abundance of words such as "peace," "simplicity," "happy," and "harmony" in the song titles, they will be the unfortunate ones who miss out on these soothing, fun, and altogether lovely musical collections.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Ralph's World: Green Gorilla Monster & Me. 1 CD. 38:39 min. Prod. by Mini Fresh. Dist. by Big Kids Prods. 2004, 2005 release. #MA506-CD. $15.95. 

PreS-Gr 3-Ralph Covert's fans will be thrilled with his new album. Bursting with rock 'n roll energy and folk comfort, Covert will have listeners dancing and singing along with his 14 original songs. "Dance Around" provides the perfect platform for moving to the rhythm, as does "Gitarzan," which encourages kids to put their ape-like antics to use while the guitar accompanies them. Lyrics are often sarcastic and fun; "Red Banana" has listeners contemplating the possibility of different colors for everyday objects (hence, the title "Green Gorilla"). Covert has a way of engaging young listeners while keeping the older kids entertained as well, making this a perfect family recording. Essential for any general listening collection.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI