Audio

Gr 5-8–In this British import by Pete Johnson, listeners are treated to the narration of Paul Chequer who convincingly brings to life Richard Hodgson, better known as Boffin (the American equivalent of a nerd or geek). Richard wants to be something beyond “instantly forgettable,” and transforms himself after a bizarre brush with death. One fateful morning, he doesn’t get on his bus to go to school. The bus crashes and everyone thinks he’s dead. He eventually arrives at school to find Ashley, the prettiest and most popular girl in school, raising money in his memory. This starts the Boffin down a road of discovery. Now called Ricky, he flirts with his bad boy side and becomes one of the in crowd. No longer craving the admiration of teachers, a classic Boffin trait, Ricky now seeks approval and acceptance among a circle of friends that are everything he has longed to be. The road to transformation is not a smooth one and Ricky, while enjoying his new status, clothes, and social calendar, finds himself questioning just what this new crowd really wants from him after some close calls with school authorities and a party gone wildly out of control. Listeners will laugh out loud while also being deeply touched by Ricky’s story. Although the book is not available in the U.S., the audio version is too much fun to miss.–Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 6-9–Grim and atmospheric, this recording of Marcus Sedgwick’s novel (Wendy Lamb Books, 2005) picks up where The Book of Dead Days (Wendy Lamb Books, 2004) left off. Listeners unfamiliar with the previous novel will be adrift as already established characters allude to but never rehash their circumstances or situations. Nonetheless, the audience will soon be caught up in the adventures of Boy and Willow. Boy, given that name by his former master, the magician Valerian, has been separated from Willow by Kepler, an old foe. Determined to escape Kepler and make a new life with Willow, Boy is instead captured by the unstable Emperor Frederick’s men and placed in the dungeons. The Emperor wants immortality and, convinced that Boy can help him achieve it, he’ll stop at nothing to get it. A gruesome killer, the Phantom, is terrorizing the city and plays a small but important role in the labyrinthine plot. Plenty of blood and creepiness will draw in reluctant readers/listeners, as will narrator Graeme Malcolm’s versatility and dramatic flair. Each character is delicately nuanced, and his Emperor Frederick is quite appealingly over-the-top.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 4-6–Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger lives in a house with her extended family, including great aunts and uncles. As a resident of this special house—a funeral home in a small town in Mississippi—Comfort has learned to embrace life. This novel by Deborah Wiles (Gulliver Books, 2005) takes listeners to the funeral of Great Aunt Florentine, from the moment she is discovered in her garden, through the arrival of Comfort’s friend Declaration and her cousin Peach. We become a guest as Mother arranges the flowers for the house and Father prepares Aunt Florentine’s body for viewing. Comfort is comfortable with death and accepts it as a natural part of living. However, the young girl soon must face situations that test her previous assumptions as well as her friendships. Kim Mai Guest brings a true southern lilt to the voice of Comfort, while creating distinct voices for Great Aunt Florentine, Great Uncle Edisto, Declaration Johnson, and a myriad of other characters. This heartfelt, sometimes humorous story is a delight.–Joyce Rice, Crestwood Middle School, Royal Palm Beach, FL

Gr 6-8–After his mother dies of cancer, 15-year-old Alfred Kropp goes to live with his uncle, who convinces Alfred to help him steal a sword from the office where he works as a night watchman in this action thriller by Richard Yancey (Bloomsbury, 2005). It turns out that the sword is Excalibur, and once Alfred gives it to Mr. Mogart, who commissioned the theft, people start dying on a regular basis as Mogart, a descendant of the Knights of the Round Table gone bad, attempts to use the sword’s magic to rule the world. Alfred, full of remorse for the trail of death and destruction unleashed by his theft, embarks on a quest to retrieve the precious—and deadly—item, and in the process, save the world. He teams up with Bennacio, the only other remaining descendant of the Knights of the Round Table, to track down Mogart. But they’re not the only ones trying to gain control of the sword. The action moves at a fast pace from Tennessee to Canada to Stonehenge, with treachery, deception, and bloodshed at every turn. Paul Michael’s narration brings this fantasy/action thriller to life, as one minute caped characters are dueling with swords and in the next, attack helicopters are swooping in with machine guns firing away. There’s also a little romantic interest—after all, Alfred is a teenage boy—but that’s just a sideshow to the action. Several of the female characters tearfully try to keep Bennacio from meeting his fate, while Alfred appears to be as unlucky in love as he is in life.–David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 7-10–Falcondance is the third volume (Delacorte, 2005) in Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’s series that began with Hawksong (Delacorte, 2003) and Snakecharm (Delacorte, 2004), and it is difficult to follow without having some familiarity with the previous books. The Serpiente and Avians are warring peoples who have finally struck a tentative peace and have come together in a court with a half-serpiente, half-avian heir, Oliza. Nicias is a guard in the Wyvern’s Court whose loyalty to Oliza is unquestioned, despite his despised and feared falcon parentage. But Nicias suspects that the strange dreams he has been having of Ahnmik, the falcon’s hidden island home, mean more than they seem, and when he begins manifesting falcon magic, something must be done. Is he the heir to Ahnmik? He must decide with whom his loyalty really lies. When he goes to Ahnmik hoping to have his magic bound, Nicias is confronted with court intrigues and plots within plots, which become so tangled that listeners may be hard pressed to keep up with all of them. Andy Paris has a wonderful feel for the language of the series, and the exotic names and strange sentence structures flow easily off his tongue. A good purchase for libraries with fantasy fans and where Atwater-Rhodes is popular.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr all levels–California-based storyteller Michael Katz will enchant listeners with these four tales drawn from lands far and wide. “Ishiusu,” Japanese for “The Millstone,” tells of two brothers—one greedy, one generous—and the world-changing event that happens when the greedy one steals his brother’s magic wish-granting millstone. The Jewish tale, “Garment for the Moon,” tells of one tailor’s search for a material beautiful enough to create the titular wardrobe item. “Brother Sun, Brother Moon, and the Pretty Girl” is a pourquoi tale from Kenya explaining why the sun and the moon avoid one another (it’s because of a woman, naturally). The Aztec story, “The Gift,” tells of the Sun’s displeasure with the people and their efforts to bring light back into their lives. Katz’s telling is punctuated by mood-setting music and interspersed with native languages appropriate to each tale. He blends explanations of unfamiliar terms seamlessly into his telling. Best of all are his fully developed voices for each character. There’s something here to delight listeners of all ages.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 5-8–Life and death decisions, action, adventure, and suspense follow Gregor, an 11-year-old Overlander from New York City who is caught up in the ebb and flow of the Underland, a vast country that lies beneath New York. Although this is the third novel in Suzanne Collins’s series (Scholastic, 2005), there’s just enough exposition to help new listeners along. The story starts off a bit slowly but is soon racing along at a breakneck pace. All Underland Warmbloods are at risk of a great, blood-borne plague and must unite with the Gnawers and Crawlers (rats and cockroaches) to discover the cure. Gregor finds, to his great dismay, that he and Boots, his two-year-old sister, are at the center of another Underland prophecy, and that they must go on yet another quest to save the Underland, against his mom’s express wishes. A few new characters are introduced, along with an intriguing bit of history about why the humans and rats hate each other. Narrator Paul Boehmer enhances the story by giving each character a distinct voice. His interpretation of Boots is especially engaging. This is a good purchase for both school and public libraries, especially where fantasy and the first two books in the series are popular.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 2-4–Katie Kazoo is a third grader whose life changed when she wished on a shooting star to be anyone but herself. Now, whenever the magic wind that only Katie can see storms around her, it turns Katie into someone else. In Oh, Baby! (Grosset, pap. 2003), Katie’s best friend Suzanne complains that she is treated like her baby sister Heather when their parents refuse to allow them to go see the new movie, Tornado. Soon, the magic wind arrives, and Katie inhabits Heather’s body. When Heather-Katie begins talking, Suzanne thinks that the baby is a genius. In Book 4, Girls Don’t Have Cooties (Grosset, pap. 2002), the girls decide to have a party without the boys. The boys declare that the girls have cooties, setting off a war between the two groups. This time Katie inhabits her best friend Jeremy’s body, but it isn’t until her dog disappears that the two become friends again. Veteran actress Anne Bobby aptly captures all of the fresh-faced, self-centered attitudes of these youngsters, while infusing the right amount of caring and hope into their personalities. A good addition to collections where Katie Kazoo is in demand.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3–In this tale from Afghanistan, Idries Shah tells the story of a mean old man with very bad manners. Whenever the people of the village try to talk to him, all he says is “Blah, blah, blah,” and “blee, blee, blee.” Things get even worse when the man begins to stand outside the villagers homes and bang pans for no reason. When he goes to visit friends in another village, a clever boy convinces the townspeople that there is a way to improve the man’s manners. They follow his advice and change the crop that he grows, paint his house a different color, and rearrange everything in his house. When he returns, the old man is convinced that this is no longer his house, but it can be put back the way it was if he promises to change his ways. He agrees, and everyone is happy. Bright, bold illustrations by Rose Mary Santiago feature a cast of multicultural characters living in a setting that could be any small town. The narration begins with instructions for parents on sharing this story with their children and discussing the lessons relating to conflict resolution, initiative, cooperation, and an alternative way of seeing things. The narration by Linda Sher and Michael Ashcroft gives each character a distinct voice. A fine addition to folk tale collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 5-7–What’s a glam girl wanna-be to do when her shot at “Face of the Year” is in jeopardy because of a rumor started by a jealous stepsister? Marsha Martinez is a typical teen, living with a mixed family, fighting with her stepsister Rochelle, and angling for a date with Enrique, the good looking guy down the street. But when her sister Zadie enters Marsha’s photo as a lark in a national teen magazine contest, it sets off a chain of events that turn the family upside down. India Fisher’s fab narration with distinctive voices for the various characters makes this recording of the novel by British author Jenny Oldfield a listening delight. “Mirror mirror on the wall who IS the fairest of them all?”–Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH

Gr 5-8–When Measle Stubbs’s parent are allegedly killed in an encounter with a deadly snake, he goes to live with Basil Tramplebone in a dirty, dreary house in this fantasy by Ian Ogilvy (HarperCollins, 2004). Basil is a Wrathmonk, a wizard gone mad. He despises Measle and never allows him to leave the house, not even to go to school. When Measle plays with his guardian’s magnificent toy train setup, Basil is not amused and shrinks the boy to half an inch tall. Measle is left to fend for himself on the train board, where he discovers six other shrunken victims who are slowly turning to plastic. Measle inexplicably saves them by feeding them bits of carrot. They band together and eventually outwit Basil, as well as his pet bat, Cuddlebug. Though the ending is a happy one for the young hero, it leaves the door open for the sequel, Measle and the Dragodon (HarperCollins, 2005). Librarians should be aware that British terms and metric measurements used in the audio version have been changed in the Americanized text, and numerous sentences in the audio either appear out of order in the text or are omitted. Nickolas Grace does a fine job of voicing the disparate characters, from stuffy Lady Grant to jovial book salesman William, and Basil’s over-the-top hissing monologues are perfect.–Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library System, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Gr 4-7–This is the concluding title (Philomel, 2005) in Nancy Springer’s Tales of Rowan Hood series which is set in Great Britain during the time of Richard I. Rowan, the adventurous daughter of Robin Hood, discovers who was responsible for her mother’s murder several years ago and sets out with her cohorts to avenge her death. Peril, suspense, and nail-biting action build during the tale. While some background knowledge from the previous titles helps listeners understand the plot, there is enough background provided throughout this episode that those new to the series will have no trouble understanding the action. Narrator Emily Gray creates a unique voice for each character and offers a well-paced reading. An additional purchase for libraries where the series is popular and for those looking to expand their historical fiction collections.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH

Gr 5-8–Now that all the boys at Camp Green Lake have stopped digging Holes (Farrar, 1998), Louis Sachar tells how one of the former inmates is taking Small Steps (Delacorte, 2006) to get his life back on track. In this sequel to Sachar’s Newbery Award-winning novel about a correctional facility gone wrong, Armpit, a powerfully built African American is working, going back to school, and trying to avoid the angry outbursts that landed him in juvenile detention. The Texas teen is doing well and he’s even befriended his ten-year-old neighbor, Ginny, who has cerebral palsy. Then another former inmate, X-Ray, convinces him to invest his savings in a legal, but less than savory, concert ticket scalping scheme. After a slow start, the two young men make money and Armpit, a.k.a Theodore, invites Ginny to see teen songstress Kaira DeLeon at the concert. But when X-Ray gives him counterfeit tickets and Ginny has a seizure, it looks like Armpit is back in trouble. Fortunately, the young singer invites the pair back stage and starts to fall for Armpit. Everything looks “cool” when Kaira invites him to her San Francisco concerts, but Armpit is about to be framed by the teen star’s unscrupulous manager and an embezzling assistant. Armpit shows his courage as the story heats up and moves to its lesson-learned conclusion. Narrator Curtis McClarin is solidly believable as a hip teen, an authoritative adult, and a speech-impaired child. Beneath the story’s humorous dialogue and some beyond-your-wildest dreams scenarios, Small Steps acknowledges the realities of ex-inmate life and the value of doing the right thing. A wise choice for all middle school and public libraries.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Gr 5-8–Australian author Emily Rodda, well known for her fantasy titles (Deltora Quest, Fairy Realm), gives contemporary mystery a go with the second title (Scholastic) in the Raven Hill Mysteries series. A group of teens in Australia do part-time work after school. While his friends Liz, Sunny, Elmo, Richelle, and Nick alternate in coping with the babysitting gig from hell, Tom takes the job no one else wanted—cleaning out a rundown magic shop for the somewhat creepy magician and ventriloquist Sid Foy. As Tom gets closer to discovering Sid’s magic secrets, The Gripper, a nasty mugger who chokes his victims, has been holding the town suspended in fear. The plot is lightweight and quite predictable, but listeners will be swept along by the quick pacing and action. The characters, although thinly drawn, are interesting and believable. Narrator Rebecca Macauley does a fine job with the cast of characters, giving each a distinctive voice and manner of speaking: Tom is very down-to-earth, and Sid and his ventriloquist’s dummy, Jacko, are especially engaging. Some unfamiliar Australian vocabulary is easily discerned in context. This mystery will be popular with upper elementary and middle school students.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 5-8–Basketball is everything to 12-year-old fanatic Danny Walker, so when he doesn’t make the seventh-grade travel team because he’s “too short” his world seems to fall apart. Danny’s dream had always been to follow in the footsteps of his father, the famous Richie Walker, who competed successfully at the nationals and went on to a promising sports career that was cut short by a tragic car accident. To Danny’s surprise, his father steps forward and offers to put together and coach his own youth team. What happens next is beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. Wyman’s youthful voice is a perfect match for this heartwarming, family-oriented inspirational tale by Mike Lupica (Philomel, 2004). Even non-sports fans will find themselves rooting for Danny’s underdog team and will be caught up in the realistic descriptions of their games.–Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH

Gr 4-6–This is the third title in British author Ros Asquith’s series about Trixie Tempest, a creative and imaginative tweenager with magical talents. Trixie leaves her troubled family for a week to attend a taster course at the Conundrums Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learn about spells for changing gruel into food, turning teeth white, styling hair and make-up, and setting a table. Trixie finds out about her father’s past and works hard to learn the rules of the Academy to foil one of the teachers and get her father’s cup returned to him. She is accompanied by her two best friends who smuggle themselves into the Academy to assist Trixie with her quest. Her witch grandmother comes to the rescue when Trixie is arrested for theft and almost divulges the truth about the school to the local police. The story does have several incidents of mature language that make it less appropriate for younger elementary readers. Also, there are some Briticisms that might have to be explained. The tale includes a comparison between the Academy and Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School, and a comment is made that J. K. Rowling might have visited the Academy in Scotland. The story is brilliantly narrated by Kate Sachs, who offers a variety of voices for the many characters. An enjoyable story for preteen girls.–Sherrie Davidson, Lyn Knoll Elementary School, Aurora, CO

Gr 7-10–Meg Cabot’s Avalon High (HarperCollins, 2006) will be a surefire hit with the author’s fans. Ellie’s parents, medievalist college professors, are on sabbatical and have moved the family from Minnesota to Annapolis, MD, for the school year. Ellie is named after a character in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, “The Lady of Shalott.” The teen accepts the move and, when she meets Will Wagner and his friends while running in the park with her father, there is an instant connection that changes their lives forever. Will goes to her school, and Ellie’s new friends from the girl’s track team fill her in on Will and his girlfriend. Ellie doesn’t think she has a chance with Will, who is the senior class president and football quarterback, but he soon begins to confide in her and they develop a close friendship. When connections to the world of King Arthur start cropping up and Ellie is warned that Will’s life is in danger, she must put all of the pieces together and save her new friend. Each chapter begins with a stanza of poetry from Tennyson’s poem, adding to the tension. Listeners will thrill at the exciting “happily ever after” ending, replete with a sinister storm and a sword fight. They may even be enticed to seek out other books about King Arthur and life in Camelot. Actress Debra Wiseman does a splendid job of reading the book with youthful exuberance. She hits all of the right notes, giving each character a realistic personality. This blend of romance, fantasy, and history will keep listeners entranced to the very end.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 3–This CD gathers together 12 of the best songs from some of the best albums that Big Kids has produced. Included are “House Party” by Dan Zanes; “Riding My Bike” by Imagination Movers; “Goin’ Down to Mexico” by Lucas Miller; “Baby Kangaroo” and “Great Big World” by Joe McDermott; “Three Blind Mice” by Mother Goose Jazz Band; “I Like Silver, I Like Gold” by Ben Rudnick; “Brontasaurus Got a Sweet Tooth” by Justin Roberts; “Are We There Yet?” by Trout Fishing in America; “Deep in the Jungle” by Joe Scruggs; “The Alphabet Song” by Susie Tallman; and “The Couch” by Kevin Kammeraad. For those libraries with small music CD budgets, this album will provide a taste of several excellent performers at their best.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3–This aptly titled CD features 12 songs by singer/songwriter Stephen Fite that will keep kids dancing throughout. Fite’s silly twist on a classic, “I Like to Eat Pepperoni Pizza,” will surely elicit giggles, and his tale of a shopping trip gone wrong, “What’s on the List,” describes a familiar situation to most kids, while incorporating counting and a fun beat. “Choo-choo Line” is a lively song in the vein of “Locomotion,” and Fite even imparts life lessons in songs like “Three Little Words” (the words are “please” and “thank you”) and “Do the Right Thing.” Fite fans won’t be disappointed, and neither will newcomers.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 6–Winner of both the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award and the NAPPA Gold Award, this is Timmy Abell’s third album for children and families. The beautiful bluegrass-, folk-, and country-style songs feature lovely instrumentation with banjo, guitar, hammered dulcimer, concertina, bass, keyboards, fiddle, mandolin, piano, tuba, percussion, washboard, harmonica, and bottle. Abell’s eight original compositions sound like traditional folk tunes. Two more songs are traditional, and one is a 1940s radio favorite. Abell’s silky baritone does justice to “Little Red Wagon,” “Going to Grandma’s” (with transportation sound effects), “Secrets,” “I’m My Own Grandpa,” “Mother Was a Goose,” “Like Love,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Peace Will Dawn,” and “All Is Well.” “Sailor’s Hornpipe” and “Rounded Glass Jig” are both instrumentals.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3–Cathy Bollinger, a music therapist with a lovely voice, has put together 14 original songs to help children deal with different social interactions and learn how to engage with others. The songs deal with concrete situations, such as taking turns; saying “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “Thank you”; requesting assistance; helping others; dealing with emotions; listening skills; and playing together. Bollinger also gives tips to parents on how to use the songs. An array of nicely performed instruments include guitars, drums, ukulele, fiddle, harmonica, bass, flute, trumpets, piano, clarinet, piccolo, mandolin, recorder, sax, trombone, keyboard, and timbamallet. Bollinger employs several musical styles: folk, jazz, country, rock, Latin, and Hawaiian. A great resource for both parents and educators.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 1–This collection includes new interpretations of 13 songs originally performed by Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) on his popular PBS program. A variety of musical celebrities offered their talents for this production. While the pieces still express the same familiar, positive messages for children, most have been re-worked, are performed in a variety of musical styles, and may sound unfamiliar to those who have heard the original songs. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” is performed twice, once by Jon Secada and later by Roberta Flack. Donna Summers offers a hip-hop version of “Are You Brave?,” while Ricky Skaggs provides a bluegrass remake of “Let’s Think of Something to Do While We’re Waiting.” Other contributors to the collection include Amy Grant who performs “It’s You I Like” and CeCe Winans who offers her rendition of “Then Your Heart Is Full of Love.” In addition, Maureen McGovern performs “This Is Just the Day” and Crystal Gayle sings “Did You Know?” The set concludes with an ensemble production of “Thank You for Being You.” A bonus DVD is included which offers a “behind-the-scenes” look at the making of the CD, including interviews with the performers. This collection will be a hit with fans of Mr. Rogers and his classic TV program and will be a popular addition for public libraries.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 3–Musician David Polansky, an accomplished trumpet player and entertainer for all ages, highlights his family cabaret in these 32 (mostly) familiar songs for children. The collection begins with preschooler favorites “Good Morning,” and “Three Little Monkeys.” Other popular tunes include “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Three Green Speckled Frogs,” “I’m a Little Teapot,” “Peanut Butter & Jelly,” “Frère Jacques,” and “You Are My Sunshine.” Three versions of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” are included—traditional, bluesy, and rap. Interspersed with these favorites are old standards that adults and children may enjoy together such as “Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt,” “Sidewalks of New York,” “Bicycle Built for Two,” and “Oh, Susannah.” Also, there are several of Polansky’s original tunes such as “I Can Bow,” “Butterfly,” “Robin’s Nest,” and “I’m Getting Older.” This comprehensive compilation would be a welcome addition to every collection.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3–Caroline Figiel and Danny Jones have recorded a lively album of new songs to help celebrate Chanukah. They urge listeners to think about the meaning and traditions of Chanukah, not the gift giving aspect, and then proceed to tell the ancient story of King Antiochus and the Maccabees’ fight to overthrow his overpowering army. A fairly direct narrative is highlighted with original songs such as “Be Like Me” and “Pull Out Your Dreidels,” featuring upbeat, mostly soft-rock electronic instrumentation. Although performed primarily by adults, children tell us about their heroes. Careful listeners will hear strains of Leonard Bernstein’s “Officer Krupkie” and the 1960s bubble gum hit “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, I’ve Got Love in My Tummy.” There are also clear directions for lighting the Menorah properly. Other songs include “Strong Like a Hammer,” “Chanukah Ha Ha,” “I Want Latkes,” among others. Each of the 11 songs are reprieved in the second half of the recording, leaving out the explanatory narrative. A responsible and entertaining addition to contemporary Chanukah music for young children.–Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

K-Gr 3–David Adler’s picture book biography (Holiday House, 1993), illustrated by Samuel Byrd, presents the life of Frederick Douglass and his efforts in the fight to end slavery in America. It describes Douglass’s childhood as a slave, his escape from slavery in 1838, and his meeting with President Lincoln. Narrator Charles Turner’s voice is deep and expressive, and he subtly breaks his steady narration to provide the voice of Douglass. The audio includes musical accompaniment and sound effects. The sound of a page turning signals a page turn on the first track. The narration also includes the “Important Dates” and “Author’s Note” sections from the book. A terrific resource. –April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA