Audio

-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2007

Also in this article: Language Arts Music Social Studies

Gr 4–7—Anastasia was the Grand Duchess of Russia during the rule of her father, Tsar Nicholas II, in the early 20^th century, but she had problems just like any teenager. Listeners can hear all about them as Anastasia chronicles the last five years of her life in this fictitious diary based on actual events. She writes about day-to-day happenings such as being reprimanded by her grandmother for her bad manners and searching for her sisters' hidden diaries, as well as traumatic events such as those that led up to her family's eventual capture and exile by the revolutionaries. The diary entries also offer historical information about that period of time in Russia. Listeners come to know Anastasia, not only as a member of the ruling family of Russia, but as a typical teenage girl. Carolyn Meyer's work of historical fiction (Scholastic, 2000) offers a humanizing portrait of a teenage girl and a welcome introduction to her life. Narrator Renée Raudman's voice embodies the excitement of happy times and the despair of unfortunate periods. A wonderful addition to school or public library collections for individual listening or for use by educators in tandem with a history lesson on the subject.—Traci Glass, Southeast Regional Library, Gilbert, AZ

Gr 2–6—Jack Prelutsky brings his collection of poetry to life in this recording. The real treat, though, is Prelutsky simply but dramatically singing his words, in addition to reading the text. The premise of the verse lies in combining an animal and an inanimate object. "What do you get when you cross a toaster with a toad? A tuba with a baboon? A clock with an octopus? A hat with a chicken? An umbrella with an elephant? Why…A pop-up toadster, a tubaboon, the clockopus, a hatchicken and the bold umbrellaphant." Kids will appreciate the raw silliness of the verse, as well as the exercise in imagination required to envision such characters. In addition to the verse from the title book (Greenwillow, 2006), Prelutsky also reads from two other similar titles, What a Day It Was in School! (Greenwillow, 2006) and Scranimals (Greenwillow, 2002). Be sure to have the title book available so that listeners can also look at Carrie Berger's photo cut-paper collage illustrations that are a visual treat. Teachers may want to use this title as a springboard for their classes' own inventions. Perfect for leisure listening as well as poetry and word study units.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Gr 2–6—Barbara Robinson's classic (Joanna Cotler, 1972) just gets better with this new reading. Elaine Stritch's slightly raspy, mature voice lends a convincing, grandmotherly element to this holiday favorite. The Herdman's—Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys—are the town bullies who steal and smoke cigars. When they show up for the church Christmas pageant try-outs, no one is able to discourage them from participating. To the protests of children who think they can do better, the Herdmans land the starring roles in the Christmas play. Their unique interpretation of a story they've never heard before surprises even the most regular of church-goers. A humorous retelling of the birth of Christ, this title will be a welcome addition to general listening holiday collections.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Gr 5–8—Katherine Paterson returns to Massachusetts mill history with the 1912 Lawrence strike as the backdrop for this novel (Clarion, 2006). Jake, an illiterate boy from the mills, is befriended by Rosa, whose mother and sister are also on strike. Though they are both poor, Rosa's loving family sends her to school, while Jake must fend for himself and his abusive, alcoholic father. The clashes between strikers and the local authorities have Rosa worried about her family's safety, and Jake is looking for food and shelter. When Rosa's mother sends her to Barre, Vermont, one of several places where union sympathizers are caring for children caught in increasing violence, Jake stows away on the train. The resolution of the strike allows Rosa to return home safely, but Jake, haunted by a terrible secret, commits a rash act that could cost him his first real home. Laura Bayer effectively conveys the story's wide range of emotions, and convincingly employs various accents to present the diversity of a turn-of-the-century mill town. While the novel can stand alone as a powerful story about overcoming adversity, pairing it with Lyddie (Dutton, 1991), the author's look at Lowell mill girls, will give listeners valuable insight into this aspect of American history. Paterson has again created characters worth caring about, but Jake's and Rosa's struggles will also spark dialogue on the hardships faced by an earlier generation of immigrants that has relevance today.—Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

K-Gr 5—Albert Muldoon may be the dumbest detective in London, but luckily he has his American helper, Renfro, and his intrepid crime-solving dog, Clem, to keep his cases on track. This CD contains three adventures of the detective team. "The Mystery of Lost Dragon Castle" sends them to a creepy castle to find a treasure ball. "The Kidnapping of Aunt Matilda" involves a stolen racehorse and an exciting race. In "The Royal Dog Show Mystery," Clem gets to strut his stuff as he goes undercover to find out if the dog shows are being…dare I say it?…fixed. Each adventure is fun, lightly humorous, and family-friendly fare. Bumbling Albert serves as a nice contrast to his clever canine companion. The writing is particularly good—the use of strong verbs and plentiful adjectives makes the production a useful classroom listening exercise. Jake Warner performs his tales with gusto, making this a delightful audio experience for both children and adults.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 4–8—Through diary entries, young Cleopatra describes her life between the ages of 12 and 14 in this work of historical fiction by Kristiana Gregory (Scholastic, 1999). The history of ancient Egypt is vividly integrated into the text. The main topics of these entries are Cleopatra's hopes and fears of being third in line for the throne of Egypt as well as the love lives of her guards and servants. Everyday life in Alexandria is lovingly described in minute detail, as are many landmarks such as the Pharos Lighthouse and the Library of Alexandria. Cleopatra's first meetings with Marc Antony and Cicero are tinged with a foreshadowing of what is to come later in her life. Josephine Bailey's narration, with a slight British accent, has wonderful timing and brings Cleopatra and ancient Egypt to life. A good selection for libraries where the series is popular.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 3–6—The incomparable Jim Dale narrates Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's latest book (Disney Editions, 2006) in the Never Land series. Little Scallop, a princess of the Mollusk tribe, disobeys her father and decides to go exploring beyond the immediate seashore with her best friends, Aqua and Surf. The two mermaids take Little Scallop on a pearl diving expedition that leads them to the mysterious and dangerous part of Mollusk Island. Little Scallop, always jealous of her older brothers' adventures, gets a bit more than she bargained for when Surf is captured by a ship full of greedy men who have a traveling freak show. Horrible storms, Captain Hook, bizarre sea monsters, and frightening creatures are encountered in order to free Surf. Many familiar characters from Peter Pan make appearances. Dale gives a brilliant performance, using different voices and accents to differentiate the characters, and a well-paced narration to build suspense in this fantasy filled with humor.—B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 5–8—Frank Cottrell Boyce's novel (HarperCollins, 2006) is set in a very small town in Wales that was once a thriving slate producer. Dylan Hughes, 9, is the only boy in Manod and lives with his family who operate a not very profitable gas station and car repair shop. When Dylan puts antifreeze instead of oil in a teacher's car, he is relegated to keeping the petrol log in which he records not only gas sales but everything that happens during the day. The rest of the novel is structured as a journal. One day, vans are spotted going up the mountain and a mysterious encampment is set up at the quarry. The leader of the expedition stops for gas and meets Dylan and his hens, Donatello and Michelangelo (named after Mutant Ninja Turtles). However, the man thinks Dylan must be an art lover and invites him to the quarry where he discovers that the cave is protecting the art collection from London's National Gallery (like it actually did during WWII), which was recently flooded. The power of these masterpieces has such an affect on the townspeople that their lives and the character of the town undergoes a life affirming metamorphosis. The characters are eccentric, humorous, and wonderfully drawn, and the unpredictable plot has numerous twists and turns. The novel is skillfully narrated by Jason Hughes. This production, due to its length and Briticisms, would be most appreciated in an enrichment or gifted and talented program. Teachers can relate the novel to a wealth of art and social studies topics.—Carol Y. Barker, Wheelerville School, Caroga Lake, NY

Gr 5–8—In Linda Buckley-Archer's fast-paced novel (S & S, 2006) involving time travel, the first volume in a planned trilogy, the lives of 21^st century preteens Kate Dyer and Peter Schock are transformed when Kate's father's anti-gravity machine accidentally transports them to 1763 London. There they meet and are befriended by Gideon, a pickpocket (cutpurse) and a wicked thief known as the Tar Man who steals their anti-gravity device. Problems they encountered in their old lives, like inattentive parents and whiny siblings, diminish when Kate and Peter face their new challenge—getting home. How they contrive to reunite with the purloined machine forms the basis for their exciting escapade and the heart-stopping ending. Along the way, they meet up with historical figures like Darwin and King George III, and listeners learn a bit of history and about the social issues of the time. Gerard Doyle is a fine narrator, making each character come to life. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment.—Erin B. Allen, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC

Gr 6–9—Gilda Joyce, psychic investigator, is off to a private Catholic girls' school on a scholarship in this mystery adventure (Dutton, 2006) by Jennifer Allison. She agrees to go based solely on the fact that the school looks like a castle and is haunted. Gilda begins the investigation undercover, never telling anyone that she is there to discover the secret behind the school's ghost, a girl who drowned there several years ago. Along the way, she shows her usual irrepressible charm, indefatigable good humor, and down-home good sense. Jessica Almasy's reading brings Gilda Joyce to life, and she gives each character its own voice. This mystery can stand on its own and is a must-have for libraries serving middle-school students.—Saleena Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

Gr 7–10—In the fifth book (Simon Pulse, pap. 2003) in Cathy Hopkins's series, set in London, Lucy realizes that she is the only one of the mates who doesn't have a steady boyfriend. Following some funny, but unsuccessful attempts at matchmaking, Lucy meets a guy who seems just right for her during a spa getaway with Izzie. But after a while, his love becomes too overwhelming. Narrated by Shirley Barthemie, this audiobook will please fans of the series as well as those who enjoy books by Louise Rennison. Barthemie's voice is well suited to the quietly humorous tone of the series, and she easily switches character focus. Lucy's confusion, joy, and at times desperation are portrayed effectively. The only minor weakness is that during moments when the characters are whispering, the narrator's voice is difficult to hear without changing the volume. A fun listen.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 6–9—T. A. Barron's fourth book (Philomel, 1999) in the series finds young Merlin on a quest for the seventh Lost Tool, a magical key. While searching for the key, his sword is stolen by a large gray bird. To find the sword, and ultimately the key, he and his friend must travel through the dangerous, mist-shrouded Haunted Marsh peopled with ghouls and other monsters. Along the way, Merlin is attacked and seriously injured by a swarm of enormous beetles. Only by traveling through a magical mirror, which hurls him into the future, can he be saved. What he finds there will open his eyes to his own powers and force him to see himself for who he is and who he will become. Teen listeners will relate to Merlin's struggle to find his true self. Kevin Isola works a bit of his own magic as he narrates the story, illuminating the various personalities and making the story come alive. A good purchase for libraries with large audiobook collections.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS

Gr 6–9—Graphic novelist Neil Gaiman offers up this odd novella (HarperCollins, 2005) based on a screenplay of a movie available on DVD (Sony Pictures, 2005). Helena, a young English girl, travels through Britain with her family's small circus. She longs to run away from the circus and live a normal life in a home not on wheels. A fight with her mother turns nasty, and Helena angrily wishes her mother dead. Shortly after their argument, her mother becomes very ill, leaving Helena to wallow in guilt. In her dreams, Helena enters a mirror world where she is a princess. She meets a juggler, Valentine, and together they seek the charm that will wake the sleeping queen. The story began as a screenplay, was turned into an adult novel, and was then shortened for children—and it suffers along the way. The plot moves too quickly—first Helena trusts Valentine, but he betrays her, and before you know it they patch up their differences and proceed on the quest. The narration by Stephanie Leonidas, who reprises her movie role as Helena, is pleasing but can't save this choppy, unsatisfying tale.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 4–6—While this adventure (HNA Books, 2006) by Michael Buckley might be a bit confusing to those who have not read the previous two books, listeners will quickly catch on to the fact that Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are detectives, like other members of their family. Buckley has a grand time adapting fairy, folk, and fictional characters to the modern day. For example, Snow White is a teacher who is being romanced by the unethical and slick Mayor Charming, and the girls' parents have been kidnapped by what turns out to be a psychotic Little Red Riding Hood and her lethal "kitty" who turns out to be Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. With the help of a newly found uncle and their guardian, the girls must stop Riding Hood's mad quest to create her own family, mostly comprised of Sabrina's relatives. Secondary characters like Puck, with whom Sabrina shares a love/hate relationship, and the not-so-Little Mermaid add piquancy to the story. Actor L. J. Ganser has an oddly staccato delivery that enhances the telling. He provides a number of different voices and vocal characterizations to help differentiate between the many characters. His Puck is appropriately obnoxious but boy like, and his Little Red Riding Hood is perfectly creepy. Listeners will have fun identifying the many familiar characters.—B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 6 Up—Alan Irvine weaves his magical storytelling skills in these tales from the Arthurian legends: "Merlin's Prophecy," "The Sword in the Stone," "Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight," and "Sir Gawaine and the Loathly Lady." Irvine, a professional storyteller, has a powerful, hypnotic voice that irresistibly draws listeners into the stories. He is a master at recreating the medieval world and making it come alive. The only minor problem with this CD is that the story tracks are not timed. This is an excellent introduction to the legends of King Arthur, and listeners will be interested in reading more about the Arthurian legends in T .H. White's The Once and Future King (Putnam, 1958) and L'Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory (Signet Classics, pap. 2001).—Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, Sanford, FL

Gr 4–7—Eben McAllister can't wait to get out of the small town of Sassafras Springs, Missouri. After reading about the seven wonders of the world, living in cramped quarters with his Aunt Pretty and Pa becomes unsatisfying. Eben's convinced there's nothing in Sassafras worth exploring, with the likes of the Great Pyramid at Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon out there. His Pa gives him a challenge he can't pass up—if he can find seven wonders in Sassafras Springs in seven days, he will be rewarded with a train ticket to Silver Peaks, Colorado to visit relatives. Eban, his dog, and two friends embark on the quest. Before long, the entire town is talking about its wonders and telling Eben their stories. Getting to know the townspeople ultimately teaches Eben to see the small but important things in life and prepares him to face the world outside of his hometown. In Betty Birney's wonderful tale (Atheneum, 2005), each of the seven stories is intricately carved, and they all fit together like a mosaic work of art. Joseph Butler's excellent narration aptly portrays the novel's down-home narrative style. The tall-tale tone of each story will engage listeners. The unattractive cover art is childish for its intended audience and will not pique the interest of middle schoolers—it will be up to librarians to promote this noteworthy audiobook that is a bow to the storytelling tradition.—Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

K-Gr 5—In Jake Warner's collection of three short stories—"Boris the Kitten," "The Mystery of the Missing Duck," and "The Treasure in the Cave"—listeners meet sisters Emilita and Maddy and their new neighbor during a summer vacation in New England in 1898. The trio embark on a series of mysterious adventures that take place in and around the big wooden farmhouse and adjoining barn in the seaside town of Tibbodnock. Warner narrates the tales, employing just enough vocal variation to distinguish between the characters. Each story is on a single track of the CD, and the fourth track gives listeners a secret code word and directs them to the Tall Tales Web site (TallTalesAudio.com) for one more adventure in which they must complete the story and tell it themselves. The Web site also features tips children and parents on how to begin their own family storytelling traditions. Warner is a terrific storyteller, and this is a great listen.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 9 Up—Val Russell runs away from home after discovering her mom and her boyfriend making out. In New York, she meets two eccentric, homeless teens who take her to their hideout in the subway tunnels where Dave's older brother runs an underground operation dealing potions to faeries. Lolli introduces her to the land of Faerie by shooting up an otherworldly substance called Never (named after Edgar Allan Poe's "Nevermore" from The Raven). Val and Lolli are caught by Ravus, the powerful troll they work for. After enduring his rage and bargaining for Lolli's life in true Beauty and the Beast fashion, Val is bound to Ravus for indefinite servitude and falls in love with him. In Holly Black's dark fantasy (S & S, 2005), filled with twists and turns, her vivid portrayal of the homeless teenagers is harsh, realistic, and apt. Narrator Renee Raudman's excellent voice-overs bring the characters to life, and listeners will relate to the teens. School libraries considering purchasing this audiobook should be aware that there is strong language, sex, violence, and rampant drug and alcohol use. A unique mixture of fairy tales, urban stories, and fantasy, this title will fly off the library shelf. For public libraries, Valiant is a must for fans of Black's Tithe (S & S, 2002).—Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 4–6—Alan Armstrong's novel (Random, 2005), a Newbery Honor book, is actually about two different Whittingtons and a boy named Ben. First, we meet Whittington the tomcat who is forced to leave his home and goes off in search of a home and a family to call his own. He soon meets Lady the Duck who invites him to live with her and the other inhabitants of a barn owned by a kindly man, Bernie, who has two grandchildren—Abby and Ben. Ben is dyslexic and is having trouble in school, so the animals start reading lessons in the barn. When the lessons are done for the day, Whittington the cat tells a story about his namesake, "Dick Whittington and the Cat." Young Dick Whittington leaves his grandmother for the "golden streets of London," only to find that they are far from golden. The three characters—Whittington the cat, Ben, and Dick Whittington—come to realize that they must learn how to trust if they are ever going to overcome the obstacles in their lives. Joel Rooks's narration brings all the characters to life in this delightful story, making listeners feel like they are in the barn sharing the secrets of the animals and the children. A wonderful addition to school or public library collections.—Traci Glass, Southeast Regional Library, Gilbert, AZ

Gr 3–6—Crippled by a freak farming accident, 11-year-old Nathaniel is bitter, helpless, frustrated, and angry when his father brings John Worth, an Orphan Train boy, into their home to help with the chores Nate can no longer manage in A. LeFaye's novel (S & S, 2004). But the two boys, each wounded in a different yet similar way, discover they have more in common than initially apparent and slowly begin to develop a friendship based on their joint desire to save the family's farm. LaFaye's unsparing look at the grueling hardships of day-to-day farm life during the late 19^th-century and the ongoing battle between farmers and ranchers for control of the land is matched by the narrator Tommy Fleming's skill at portraying the starkness of the emotions felt by each of the characters in this short, spare, and beautifully told winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction. Speaking with an authentic Nebraska accent, Fleming captures the poignancy of Nate's battle to overcome his disability, learn to read, and reinvent himself within his unhappy family. A compelling and historically accurate story beautifully rendered.—Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH

PreS-Gr 3—Professional bassist Josh Levine, known for his performances in the Son Amigos trio and the Los Acustilocos quartet, makes his children's recording debut with this island-inspired collection of traditional and multicultural songs. His varied musical styles offer lots of energetic harmonies that will make listeners want to dance. Levine provides the vocals as well as most of the instrumentation. Traditional songs, such as "The Alphabet Song," "Jump Jim Joe," "The Hokey Pokey," and "If You're Happy and You Know It," are fresh and lively. Complementing the traditional tunes are pieces such as Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" and " Place in the Choir" by Bill Staines. Spanish language songs include "Cumpleanos Feliz," Mi Cuerpo Hace Musica," and "Tiburon." The recording's highlights are Levine's original songs. For example, "A Real Bouquet" celebrates diversity with the lyrics "children of this great big world are flowers in a way, some are light, some are dark, like a real bouquet...if we all looked the same, who'd know you from me?" Listeners will look forward to future offerings from this talented musician/writer. Perfect for leisure listening or classroom movement activities, this title is sure to be a hit.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3—Farmer Jason is Jason Ringenberg, formerly of the band Jason and the Scorchers. In this lively and energetic album, he performs 11 original songs in rock, punk rock, country, bluegrass, and jazz musical styles. In addition to guitars and drums, the talented band members perform on pennywhistle, organ, oud, violin, cello, harmonica, and octave mandolin. A Tennessee resident, Farmer Jason speaks and sings with an appealing southern accent and a mellow baritone. First he takes listeners into the forest with "The Forest Oh!," and then introduces them to the "Punk Rock Skunk." He continues with "Ode to a Toad," "Mrs. Mouse," "Forest Rhymes" (a guessing game song), "He's a Moose on the Loose" (with folk singer Todd Snider), "Opossum in a Pocket," "The Old Oak Tree," and more. Both adults and children will enjoy listening to this entertaining collection.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 3–7—The latest entry in the nationally acclaimed, award-winning series, this wonderful production features Paul Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Stephen Simon, one of the creators of this series, wrote original narration for the piece. In this story, lazy Fritz, the apprentice of powerful sorcerer Cobald, tries to work some magic while the sorcerer is gone, but things go dreadfully wrong. The first track features Dukas's composition, with the story expressively narrated by Yadu (aka Dr. Czynski, a professor at Minnesota State University-Moorhead). Next, Bonnie Simon offers some information about the history of the tale, and then the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps performs the "March of the Brooms" motif. Stephen Simon shares more information about the composition, followed by a orchestral performance of the piece without narration. Finally, listeners are encouraged to use household items like pots and pans to play along with the "March of the Brooms" theme. The booklet contains some games, a simple score for "March of the Brooms," and information on pitched percussion (xylophone, marimba, etc.). This vibrant and educational CD belongs in every library's music collection.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 2—The Dog on Fleas band proves its superb musicianship through well-crafted instrumentation and slick multilayered vocals on their fourth CD. The 15 songs range from Cajun to country western to Dixieland. While songs such as "Big Black Snake," "Ridin' on a Pony," and "Babeo" are clearly geared towards children, many of the pieces feature sophisticated lyrics and subject matter that is a bit mature for the intended audience, such as "Peace Will Come" and "What's Behind the Wall" that Humpty Dumpty fell off. The lyrics on the majority of the songs go by too quickly and because of the complicated vocals are not enunciated clearly enough for young ears to catch. While this is an enjoyable collection, children will not be entertained by some of the songs.—Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3—This enchanting collection of 17 songs is an eclectic mix of classical folk tunes and some old rock favorites. Elizabeth Mitchell adds her unique touch to each of the pieces. Many songs by Woody Guthrie are offered, including "Grassy Grass Grass" and "Who's My Pretty Baby?" Pete Seeger's "Little Bird, Little Bird" and a cover of Velvet Underground's "What Goes On" are also included. Folksongs from other cultures are represented, such as "Pom Na Tu Ri (Springtime Outing)," a Korean song, and "Los Pollitos (The Little Chicks)." Among the other tunes are "Little Liza Jane," "The North Wind," and "Down in the Valley." The songs are beautiful and simple and Mitchell's voice is eloquent and pure. On most of the pieces she is accompanied by family members. In the liner notes, Mitchell offers background information and personal anecdotes for many of the tunes, but lyrics are not included. Young children as well as parents and caregivers will enjoy these delightful songs. A welcome addition for public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 3–6—This CD is a musical tribute to the settling of Naperville, IL, in 1831. There are 21 catchy and fun songs and stories on the CD which was originally created to accompany a set of workshops taking place at the Naper Settlement. Amy Lowe, a singer, songwriter, and storyteller, wrote and performs all of the songs, accompanied by guitar and percussion instruments. She's also accompanied by back-up vocalists, including a fifth-grade class on the song "The First Schoolmaster." Interwoven with the songs are bits of narration to supplement the historical information. Some songs profile figures in Naperville's history, such as "Captain John Naper," a tribute to the city's founder, and "The First Schoolmaster," which tells about Lester Peet and lists the fathers of all 22 of his students during his first year of teaching. Among the other songs are "The Blacksmith," "Paw Paw Post Office," and "Pay the Toll." The liner notes include the lyrics as well as historical photographs of Naperville. A solid addition to school and public libraries, especially those requiring more material on this time and place in history.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA