Audio Reviews: October, 2005

-- School Library Journal, 10/1/2005

See SLJ's December 2005 Holiday Book Reviews

Language Arts

"B" Is for Betsy (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 2 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-2638-4: $19.75; read-along pack: $34.95.

K-Gr 1–Carolyn Haywood's 1939 story involves a series of mini-adventures during Betsy's first year of school. Although written more than 65 years ago, the anecdotes are just as relevant to children today: making a first friend, getting lost on the way to school, going to a birthday party, and other exciting exploits. Narrator Stina Nielson provides a straightforward interpretation, changing her tone slightly for each character. Although some of the language is archaic and politically incorrect, such as the word "Indian" instead of "Native American," this is a classic tale that could help prepare young children for their first year of school.–Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 2: The Golem's Eye (unabr.). 10 cassettes. 16:33 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2004. ISBN 0-8072-1979-1. $55.

Gr 7-9–In the second book (Hyperion, 2004) in Jonathan Stroud's fantasy trilogy, the viewpoints of the djinni Bartimaeus, his sometimes hapless magician owner Nathaniel, and teenaged "commoner" Kitty weave a plot with various counterplots along the themes of revenge, greed and, ultimately, growth. Nathaniel, at 14, is full of himself and tends toward the foppish in both the views of Bartimaeus and the reader/listener. Bartimaeus continues to seem to be both smug and smarter than Nathaniel. Kitty is the most sympathetic of the bunch, but she appears to have no problem with plotting government overthrow of a very messy sort. During the long trajectory of this book, a Czech golem (a clay giant animated by blood-written magic) lays waste to the British Museum and Kitty helps unleash more cultural destruction by unburying the supposed dead at Westminster. Simon Jones provides voices for each of these characters, as well as their assorted minions, who include Kitty's badly magic-wounded childhood friend Jacob, the elderly commoner Mr. Pennyfeather who recruits her into the magic resistance force, and Nathaniel's mentors, none of whom seem to have a really good side. While plotting and fantasy are both well-developed here, the audience will have trouble feeling completely sympathetic towards any one of these protagonists; rather than a flawed hero, what we have here is a small group of folks–magical and otherwise–who are more arrogant than they are vulnerable. Those unfamiliar with the first volume, The Amulet of Samarkand (Hyperion, 2003; Listening Library, 2003), will have a little trouble working into the story at the beginning, but there's enough action to hold listeners' attention as they gather clues to what has brought about the current crisis–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Black Beauty (unabr.). 5 CDs. approx. 5 hrs. Tantor Media. 2005. ISBN 1-4001-0012-7. $24.99.

Gr 4-8–Anna Sewell's classic novel begins with Black Beauty's early days as a colt at his mother's side and follows him through each of his masters and jobs. It is written in a charmingly sophisticated voice that is easier for listeners to understand than to read; the language, tone, and sentence structure are a bit antiquated, suiting the time period in which the story was first published in 1877. Moral lessons are abundant in this tale told from the horse's point of view. A great deal of information about the nature and abilities of horses is imparted in a surprisingly grim first person narrative. The casual cruelty of man toward beast is expounded throughout the captivating story. Each character, man or horse, is compellingly and earnestly voiced by narrator Simon Vance. Sure to be popular with horse lovers.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Chicken School (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 2:27 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5060-5. $18.95.

Gr 4-6–Tim thinks he has the most boring life and family in the world. He is embarrassed that his father plays with toy trains and his mother glues shells onto flower pots. With the school bully, Gary, and principal, Mr. Dedman, criticizing him, he dreads going to school. He escapes this awful existence by having fantastic daydreams in which he is the hero–a super-spy, an internationally recognized surgeon–each time saving the object of his affection, Sophie. Mr. Dedman becomes unglued when graffiti about chickens begins appearing on the walls at school. Accused of writing the graffiti by staff and students, Tim is further alienated. The situation at home takes a turn for the worse when Tim discovers that his father dresses up as Wonder Woman. The mystery is unraveled when Tim goes before the school board to determine if he will be expelled. British stage actor Tom Lawrence gives a delightful reading of the text based on the UK-released book by Jeremy Strong. He varies vocal pitch to differentiate characters, carefully showing Tim's preteen angst, Miss Dove's understanding, and Mr. Dedman's paranoia. This hilarious mystery is full of twists and turns and would be a solid suggestion for fans of Gordon Korman.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

The Crow-Girl (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3611-8: $32.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3824-2: $39.75.

Gr 4-7–Danish author Bodil Bredsdorff's first novel to be translated into English (Farrar, 2004) is the tale of a young girl living in a quiet, serene cove in Denmark with her grandmother. Although they sometimes have little to eat, they always have each other and that is enough. The elderly grandmother, anticipating her own demise, tells the girl that there are two types of people in the world: those who make you warm inside and those who make you cold even when sitting near a fire. When the grandmother dies, the girl follows the crows and sets out on a journey to find her place in the world. Crow Girl learns the truth of her grandmother's wise words in her travels to find a new family. Felice Yeh provides a distinct voice for each character, bringing them to life. The voices of Crow Girl and the young boy, Doup, are especially captivating. The strong influence of the women and the tenderness shown in the men's characters are also underlined in Yeh's narration. An excellent story for language arts or social studies units.–Joyce Rice, Palm Beach County Schools, FL

The Day I Fell Down the Toilet and Other Poems (unabr.). 1 cassette. 54 min. Prod. by Chiver's Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5053-2. $9.95.

Gr 1-5–British poet Steve Turner reads more than 70 poems from his book in an enthusiastic voice. Using lots of puns and word play, these humorous poems are reminiscent of the works of Silverstein and Prelutsky. The author writes on a variety of topics of interest to children, including sounds, interesting words and naughty words, boredom, the sun, swimming pool wear, the creation of the world, fireworks, teachers, to-do lists, and snails. A poem about Adam's naming the animals is a guessing game. Turner also offers a couple of his own versions of traditional nursery rhymes. American listeners will have no trouble understanding his BBC accent. A good choice for libraries with fans of humorous poetry.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Eagle Strike (unabr.). 5 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3585-5: $52.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3848-X: $58.75. (Rental: $13.50).

Gr 5-10–This is Anthony Horowitz's fourth Alex Rider adventure (Philomel Books, 2004), but it's not necessary to have read any of the others to follow this one since enough background is provided along the way. The novel opens with 14-year-old Alex, an orphan who has been trained by British Intelligence as a secret agent, on vacation in the south of France with his friend Sabina and her parents. When he spots Yassen Gregorovich, a Russian contract killer he's run into before, his curiosity is peaked. Alex is determined to discover why Yassen's target seems to be Sabina's father, a journalist. His search leads him back to London, to a pop star named Damian Cray whose philanthropic works recently got him knighted. Alex has his own suspicions about what Cray is up to, but the truth is stranger than even he suspected: the end of the world as we know it. Thrilling action, an edge-of-your-seat chase through the streets of Amsterdam, gadgets worthy of any James Bond movie, and a bang-up ending make this an exciting listen. Simon Prebble captures the entire cast of characters well, and each, no matter how minor, is easily distinguished. Alex's determination, Cray's conceit, and Gregorovich's jaded Russian tones all come through. Engaging enough to entice the most reluctant readers, this is a good purchase for both public and school libraries.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Ellen Tebbits (unabr.). 2 CDs. approx. 2:24 hrs. HarperCollins. 2005. ISBN 0-06-078595-0. $17.95.

Gr 2-4–Beverly Cleary's delightful peek into a young girl's life (Morrow, 1951) will capture a new audience in audiobook format. Listeners will giggle at third-grader Ellen's trials with both woolen underwear and her nemesis, Otis Spofford. They will sympathize with Ellen's desire to clap erasers, and her travails in acquiring a giant beet. Then there's the whole concept of being a "substitute rat." Through it all,Ellen's friendship with Austine, and their quarrel and eventual reconciliation provide the thread that ties all the events together. You can't listen to this production without laughing out loud. Andrea Martin reads Cleary's text with expression and good humor, creating unique voices for each character. She brings Ellen and her friends to life and makes them shine. Listeners will enjoy the small joys, horrors, and triumphs that make Ellen's life so like their own.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

The Farmer's Wife. 1 CD. 17:08 min. with hardcover book. Hoopoe Books. 2005. ISBN 1-883536-67-7. $28.95
The Farmer's Wife/La Esposa del Granjero. 1 CD. 40:02 min. Hoopoe Books. 2005. with hardcover book, ISBN 1-883536-69-3: $28.95; with paperback book, ISBN 1-883536-70-7: $18.95.

PreS-Gr 3–This award-winning folktale from Afghanistan is a story from the Sufi tradition, collected and retold by Idries Shah (Hoopoe, 1998). The farmer's wife loses an apple down a hole. She asks for help in retrieving it, but is refused by an increasingly long list of "naughty" animals, people, and inanimate objects. At last it looks like things are working out, but there's an unexpected twist before all ends well. This delightful cumulative tale should tickle young listeners. An introduction provides information about the story's background and purpose, as well as a story overview. Then a female narrator expressively reads the tale as authentic background music accompanies the text. Young listeners will enjoy the story's rhythm, pacing, and repetition as they scan Rose Mary Santiago's brightly-hued, gently rounded illustrations. The English/Spanish edition is an excellent addition to bilingual folktale collections.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Goldkeeper: Adventures of a Reluctant Apprentice (unabr.). 6 cassettes. 6:40 hrs. Prod. by Chiver's Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5052-4. $49.95.

Gr 3-6–When Sebastian is chosen as the High Priest's apprentice, he isn't too sure if it's a good idea and neither is anyone who knows him. Working in the Temple of Ora doesn't seem a good fit for him; what he really wants to be is a gangster. But once Sebastian discovers he can pretty much do, eat, and have anything he desires, he decides that the job is just right for him and his pet rat, Gerald. His favorite part of his new duties is staging elaborate shows in the temple to get more people in for offerings, like underwater juggling, absailing, and a jazz band combo with dancing girls. Sebastian discovers a plot is underway to steal the gold from the Temple and he and Gerald do their best to foil the top gangster's plans. Sebastian's cool demeanor and dry wit are laugh-out-loud hilarious at points. British actor Christian Rodska narrates the novel by Sally Prue and does a wonderful job with accents and inflections, although the New York tough of Mr. Meano and his gang seems a bit out of place among otherwise British-sounding characters. This should appeal to younger fans of Harry Potter.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

The Lightning Thief (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 8 CDs. 10 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24529-2: $45; CD, ISBN 0-307-24531-4: $60.

Gr 5-9–At the outset of this fast-paced tale by Rick Riordan (Hyperion/Miramax, 2005), it would seem that Percy Jackson is just another New York kid diagnosed with ADHD, who has good intentions, a nasty stepfather, and a long line of schools that have rejected him. The revelation of his status as half-blood offspring of one of the Greek gods is nicely packaged, and it's easy to believe that Mount Olympus, in modern times, has migrated to the 600th floor of the Empire State Building (the center of Western civilization) while the door to Hades can be found at DOA Recording Studio, somewhere in LA. With his new friends, a disguised satyr, and the half-blood daughter of Athena, Percy sets out across the country to rectify a feud between Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. Along the way they must cope with the Furies, Medusa, motorcycle thug Aires, and various other immortals. Although some of Jesse Bernstein's accents fail (the monster from Georgia, for instance, has no Southern trace in her voice), he does a fine job of keeping the main characters' tones and accents distinguishable. He convincingly portrays Percy, voicing just the right amount of prepubescent confusion, ironic wit, and the ebbing and waning of concern for himself and those around him. Mythology fans will love this take and kids who haven't been inculcated with the Classical canon will learn aspects of it here while having no trouble following a rollicking good–and modern–adventure.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water. 1 CD. 16:07 min. with hardcover book. Hoopoe Books. 2005. ISBN 1-883536-71-5. $28.95.

PreS-Gr 2–The audio version of the traditional Afghan story written by Idries Shah (Hoopoe Books, 1998) doesn't add a great deal to the print version. Although the book's colorful illustrations by Ingrid Rodriguez will appeal to animal-loving preschoolers, the story line is weak. "Share, the Lion" is feared by the other animals because of his deep "Grrrrrrrr." As the animals scatter in fear, Share decides to quench his thirst in a pool of water, where he discovers his reflection, which scares him. As the other animals seemingly forget their fear of Share and join him at the pool for a drink, Share's fear of his reflection is alleviated. There is no explanation for the animals' collective acceptance of Share, nor is there much connection to the moral stated at the end, "at last I've learned that a reflection is not the same as the real thing." Audio for this title consists of three tracks: an introduction with listening suggestions followed by read-aloud tracks, one with page-turn signals and one without. The seven-minute reading by a male narrator is accompanied by peaceful Middle-Eastern string and percussion music. Although the audio is adequate, the story itself is somewhat disjointed and doesn't offer a satisfying conclusion.–Kristen Martindale, formerly Menomonie WI Public Library, WI

The Little Gentleman (unabr.). 3 cassettes. 3:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-3599-5. $32.75; read-along pack: $56.64.

Gr 3-5–Bet isn't sure why old Mr. Franklin wants her to sit in the meadow and read aloud while he's stuck inside with a broken leg. In fulfilling his strange request, however, she discovers an amazing secret–a talking mole who is over 300 years old! Their acquaintance gradually blossoms into true friendship as they share confidences and histories. Bet discovers a way her friend can use his magic to achieve his greatest dream, but the cost will be a true test of their friendship. Philippa Pearce's gentle, evocative story (Greenwillow, 2004) of friendship, trust, and becoming wholly yourself is read by Gerard Doyle. The text stands on its own without background music or sound effects. Doyle creates unique voices for the characters, but allows Pearce's well-written tale to capture listeners' attention, rather than relying on extraordinary theatrics. This is a sweet, introspective story that can easily captivate children's imaginations on its own merits.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Magic by the Book (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 5:50 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-3605-3. $39.75; read-along pack: $63.75.

Gr 3-6–They say every book is an adventure, and that certainly is the case here. When Anne, Emily, and Will come home from the library, there is an odd book in their basket. Soon they discover the book's amazing powers. Anne and Emily are transported to Sherwood Forest, where they help Robin Hood. Will is shrunk to the size of an insect and sent on a quest where he must solve a riddle to return home safely. Then all three find themselves in a struggle for survival at a winter festival in Tsarist Russia. Woven through the tales are references to literature and music that deepen the text and add subtle layers to the stories. Katie Firth narrates Nina Bernstein's book (Farrar, 2005) with style and elegance. She creates unique voices for the different characters, adds interesting accents, and gives the text the expression it deserves. She even sings the songs found within the stories in a sweet, lyrical manner that aptly suits the book's character. While similar to Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse tales, this is for a slightly older audience. The text is more complex, and the risks the characters face are more life-threatening and suspenseful. While the vocabulary sometimes fails to mesh with the ages of the characters in the book, and the villain of the piece is never fully explained, young fantasy readers (and their parents) who enjoy books by Edward Eager, Eva Ibbotson, and Bruce Coville will find this a delight.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Makeover (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 4:25 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5042-7. $32.95.

Gr 5-7–In this novel by British author Kate Petty, Lianne has money in mind as she convinces her friend Sarah to start a makeover party business. Ruth has just come to town to live with her dad and starts classes at their school. Although Ruth's style is very trendy in London, where she lived with her mom, Sarah and Lianne think Ruth's terribly unfashionable and decide to take her on as a project. Ruth has enough problems dealing with her divorced dad's live-in girlfriend and her two children, her mom's anorexia, and missing her best friend from London, Emily. What's more, she liked who she was in London and doesn't want to be made over. Narrator Gillian Walton has a very distinctive voice for Ruth, which is echoed somewhat in her London friend Emily. Lianne and Sarah, however, are practically interchangeable and difficult to distinguish except from context: Sarah has no backbone and Lianne is a controlling manipulator. There are some important themes here, especially being true to yourself. Despite the predictable, somewhat contrived plot, teens who like "Brit lit" will find this enjoyable.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Mates, Dates and Portobello Princesses (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:45 hrs. Bolinda Audio. 2005. ISBN 1-74093-562-4: $28.

Gr 6-9–The third book in Cathy Hopkins' Mates, Dates series is loads of fun. Published in the U.S. as Mates, Dates and Designer Divas (Simon Pulse, 2003), the Portobello in the title refers to Portobello Road, a tony section of London. The story is conveyed in short, pithy chapters interspersed with diary entries, text, and Instant Messages. Taking the point of view of Nesta, a lovely half Jamaican, half Italian girl who meets the rich boy of her dreams, Simon, on the train, the plot flutters along light and easy. She and her two best friends, Lucy and Izzie, are determined to make the best of themselves, yet Nesta feels she has to try and keep up with Simon's sister and her snobby friend, Cressida (the Portobello Princess) in order to win Simon's heart. Sharp and funny, and touching lightly on some serious issues–racial prejudice, class differences, teen drinking–Nesta expresses all the self-centered teenage angst necessary for a quite predictable, yet unexpectedly poignant turn of events. Melissa Eccleston narrates with great style and verve, giving each character his or her own distinctive voice. It's not necessary to have read any of the other books in the series to follow this one, but after listeningto this title, students will want to read and/or listen to the others.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, Oxford, MI

Moongobble and Me, Book 2: The Weeping Werewolf (unabr.). 1 cassette or 1 CD. 1 hr. Full Cast Audio. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-932076-85-9: $9.50; CD, ISBN 1-933322-29-2: $15.

Gr 2-4–In the second book in Bruce Coville's fantasy series (S & S, 2004), young Edward is setting off on another wacky adventure with his magician friend, Moongobble, as well as Urk the Toad, Fireball the Dragon and, of course, the Rusty Knight. Moongobble is still trying to become a legitimate wizard and, in the second of three mandatory Mighty Tasks, he is given the charge of gathering tears from a werewolf. This leads the companions to the Forest of Night and into what promises to be deadly danger. Moongobble continues to have problems with his magic, which results in cheese and/or explosions. The Rusty Knight still can't hear properly, and the toad is often the voice of reason. The adventure will also lead them to a surprise that changes Edward's life forever. In this full-cast production, the characters are voiced by more than a dozen different actors, some sound effects are used, and there is occasional music. The result is much like a radio play–it truly brings the story to life. This light-hearted, well-performed production will be welcomed by young Moongobble fans who continue to root for the success of both the wizard and his young helper.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

The Old Country (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3:10 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24543-8: $23; CD, ISBN 0-307-54544-6: $30.

Gr 3-6–The bulk of this tale takes place in the pseudo-mythical Old Country. At the present time, Great Grandmother Gisella tells her disbelieving young relative the story about how she hadbeen both a girl and a fox. The complicated telling begins,intermingling rather gruesome civil war images, animal tales, Alice-in-Wonderlandesque style legal trials, and slapstick political characters and coups.When Gisella stares too long into Flame the Fox's eyes, they trade shapes. Gisella the fox spends much of the rest of the tale trying to find her family and Flame/Gisella so that she can return to her original form. Mordicai Gerstein seems to tackle toomany issues in his novel (Roaring Brook, 2005): human vs. animal existence, war vs. peace, andmagic vs. realism. The language, however, is evocative, leading listeners to smell the forest and see the colors ofthe woods. Actress Tovah Feldshuh greatly improves the novel with herexcellent narration. She gives Gisella a generic Eastern European accent, and successfully conveys the morass of emotions felt by the animals, humans, and animal/human combinations in the story. For some reason, her reading makes theclues to Great Grandmother Gisella's true nature and the end of her story about her youth more noticeable. Not a first purchase consideration.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Olive's Ocean (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs. 2:30 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-20727-7: $23; CD, ISBN 0-307-20728-5: $30.

Gr 5-8–Olive Barstow was killed in a recent bicycling accident. Although Martha Boyle had never befriended the loner, she is surprised to find out that one of Olive's goals was to make friends with her. Keeping this news to herself, Martha and her family go to spend their usual summer vacation on the ocean at her beloved grandmother's house on Cape Cod. Godbee is a practical, crusty old lady who patiently draws out Martha on her feelings and problems. Martha experiences a crush on a local boy that has a disappointing end, but she realizes there is someone nearby who has always liked her. Themes of death, growing up, family relationships, and the mysteries of life are seamlessly interwoven into this engrossing story by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2003). Actress Blair Brown narrates briskly, sounding very much like a New Englander. When necessary, she alters her voice to portray characters or specific emotions. Occasional violin music separates some of the many short chapters. While Brown is perhaps too perfunctory to truly capture the spirit of Martha's introspective summer of self-realization, the story is so involving and the characters are so well developed that this production will likely be popular with middle schoolers..–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Our Teacher's Having a Baby (Carry Along Book and Cassette Favorite Series). 1 cassette. 11:32 min. with paperback book. Prod. by Charlesberry Prods. Dist. by Houghton Mifflin. 2005. ISBN 0-618-56931-6. $9.95.

K-Gr 2–Eve Bunting's warm picture book (Clarion, 1992) receives excellent treatment in this read-along version. Mrs. Neal's first grade class of youngsters experience excitement, anxiety, and bewilderment at the prospect of their beloved teacher having a baby. The class activities related to her pregnancy will be an inspiration for other teachers. The dramatization is very well done, featuring both adult and child actors, with distinctive voices for each of the characters nicely matching their depictions in Diane de Groat's watercolor illustrations. The narration caters to its young audience by including brief but clear instructions for navigating the audio. One side of the cassette has page-turn sound effects and musical interludes to ensure small fingers have an opportunity to turn the page before the narration resumes.Listeners are sure to enjoy this engaging and well-paced version of an excellent book.–Jennifer Iserman, Dakota County Library, Burnhaven Branch, Burnsville, MN

Pendragon, Book 2: The Lost City of Faar (unabr.). 8 cassettes or 10 CDs. 12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-59737-244-2: $82.25; CD, ISBN 1-59737-246-4: $82.25.

Gr 5-8–In the second book of D.J. MacHale's sci-fi thriller (Aladdin, pap. 2003), 14-year old Bobby Pendragon and his Uncle Press, a Traveler, journey to the underwater world of Cloral. There he meets daredevil Vo Spader and the two friends have nonstop, action-packed adventures involving multiple high-speed chases and narrow escapes. Cloral's food supply is poisoned and the fate of the underwater utopia depends upon Bobby and Spader's ability to find the mythical city of Faar. Meanwhile, Bobby writes of his astounding adventures in journals he sends back to his friends Courtney and Mark in suburban Connecticut. MacHale has a tendency to use visual flourishes that kids will recognize from various TV shows, such as the twitching ring on Mark's finger to announce a new journal delivery from Bobby and vicious shape-changing guards near the entrances to every "flume" (black-hole type tunnels that connect alternate worlds). If this bad guys versus good guys story isn't ludicrous enough, the entire production is enveloped in junior high melodrama, with frequently used adjectives such as "bizarro," and awesome. Still, it'san entertaining tale. Actor William Dufris's reading transforms the predictable plot line, flat characters, and mundane writing into a fresh and energetic production. He does a great Aussie accent as Spader, provides a deep, authoritative voice for Bobby's selfless Uncle Press, and sounds just like a teen witnessing fantastic events as Bobby. This recording can be enjoyed alone, but it would be helpful to have read or listened to the first title in the series. As long as the stage is set for another high-velocity adventure, no one will quibble about literary value.–Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA

The Roman Mysteries, Book 3: The Pirates of Pompeii (unabr.). 3 cassettes. 4:16 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 0-307-20657-2.$30.

Gr 4-7–Flavia Gemina is back in the third book (Roaring Brook, 2003) in the Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence. (Think Nancy Drew in a toga). Flavia and her friends have survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and are in a refugee camp near the Sorrento coast. Children are disappearing and Flavia suspects foul play. Together with her politically-correct pals, Jonathan (the Jewish boy), Nubia (the African slave), and Lupus (the mute boy), these young sleuths are determined to find out what is happening to the children. The search leads them to the home of the wealthy, charismatic Patron. Is he behind the disappearances? The setting is nicely fleshed out and information on the Roman way of life and the eruption of the volcano is blended seamlessly into the narrative.Narrator Justine Eyre distinguishes each character nicely and the pace is quick enough to hold the attention of young listeners. Newcomers to the series may feel lost for a couple of chapters, but those who have read or listened to the first two books will particularly enjoy this installment which picks up the day after book two ends.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Tiger, Tiger (unabr). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 4:49 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN0-307-24546-2: $35; CD, ISBN 0-307-24628-0: $39.

Gr 5-7–The story of the fate of two captured tiger cubs in ancient Roman times is a successful and clever ploy used in Lynne Reid Banks's novel (Delacorte, 2005). The focus of the actual story is on power, compassion, and martyrdom. After the two tiger cubs are brought to Rome, they are separated and lead entirely different lives. Brute, the larger and stronger cub, is taunted and trained to be a man-killer for the circus in the Colosseum. The smaller cub, Boots, is given to Caesar's 12-year-old daughter, Aurelia, for a pet. Boots' fangs are removed and his paws covered with leather pouches. Boots visits Aurelia frequently accompanied by his keeper, Julius, who worships Aurelia from afar.When Aurelia's jealous cousin suggests playing a trick on Julius, she reluctantly agrees to hide Boots. When Boots escapes from the royal compound, Julius must pay the price: he's sentenced by Caesar to fight both Boots and Brute in the Colosseum before thousands of Roman citizens. Aurelia pleads for Julius's life, but her father is unyielding. Jan Francis's narration is strong yet tender, projecting just the right amount of fondness and adoration in Aurelia's relationship with Julius and Boots, and anxiety and compassion when Julius and Boots are condemned to fight for their lives. The long, slow days of playing with Boots in the palace are expertly balanced against the cold, cruel days of imprisonment that Brute experiences. Listeners should be aware that scenes of the martyrdom of Christians, slaves, and animals in the Colosseum are described in the story. A bittersweet tale.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennipin Country Library, Minnetonka, MN

Wild Boy: A Tale of Rowan Hood (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 2:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4025-6041-9. $39.75; read-along pack: $63.74.

Gr 5-8–Emily Gray reads Nancy Springer's riveting novel (Philomel, 2004), part of her Tales of Rowan Hood series. Set during the days of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest, familiarity withprevious books in the series is helpful but not necessary to enjoy this tale. The plot focuses on Rook, an orphan boy who has been living in the wild since his father's death. Rook is one of Robin Hood's outlaws and blames the sheriff of Nottingham for his father's death caused by a "man trap" set in the forest. When Rook finds the sheriff's son, Tod, caught in one of the traps, he considers letting Tod suffer and die in the sharp hold of the trap. However, he reconsiders his options and, with the help of Rowan (Robin's daughter) and Robin Hood's other followers, Rook rescues Tod. The carefully constructed plot continues with twists and turns. This smooth recording is faithful to the adventurous and sensitive spirit of the book. Gray's precise enunciation is on the mark, and she alters the tone and pitch of her voice to create a voice for each of the characters. The characters' dialogues are true to the time period in which the story takes place. Although the production lacks any musical accompaniment and there are no sound effects, plenty of suspenseful moments sustain listeners' attention. Libraries with large recorded books collections and where there is an interest in the Rowan series should consider adding this intriguing adventure to their collections.–Lynn Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH

Wild Magic: The Immortals, Book 1 (unabr.). 8 CDs. 8 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2005. ISBN 1-933322-30-6. $48.

Gr 5-7–In the first volume of the Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce (Atheneum, 1992), Daine, a 13-year-old girl from the mountains, meets Onua, the Queen's Horse Mistress, and together they work to bring ponies in for the Queen's Riders. Along the way, they discover that Daine's talent with animals is something more–it's wild magic. Under the tutelage of the mage Numair, Daine begins to learn how to control her magic and deepens her friendships with two-leggers. She also discovers that there are "wrong" animals she can sense, ones that have somehow escaped the Divine Realms and are now roaming and raiding once more–Immortals. Daine is a likeable character, and her past and reasons for fleeing mountains are intriguing. Those around her, including Alanna from Pierce's Song of the Lioness quartet (Atheneum), are well-developed characters, making for an exciting adventure infused with magic. Set in the fantastical kingdom of Tortall, this full-cast performance of the book is a joy to listen to. The main narration is done by the author, with all the characters voiced by different actors. Unobtrusive music throughout enhances the recording. An excellent choice where Tamora Pierce books circulate well, and where there are fantasy fans who enjoy intricate world building.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Literature

The Cloud Chamber (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:39 hr. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24617-5: $35; CD, ISBN 0-307-24618-3: $45.

Gr 7-10–Fourteen-year-old Nate should have known something was up with his father the morning he left for school. He had shaved his beard and told Nate that he was going somewhere special and needed to look good. When Nate arrives home from school and sees the police cars and his father stumbling through the fields with blood covering his face and spilling through his hands, he realizes just what his father intended to do on the day that changed Nate's family forever. In Joyce Maynard's novel (Atheneum, 2005), set in the 1960's, Nate and his younger sister struggle with the ramifications of their father's attempted suicide and the police investigation into their mother's suspected involvement. Struck by a string of bad luck, bad weather, and a destroyed crop that put the Montana family into financial disaster, Nate and his family are falling apart and he desperately wants to make everything right. Despite feeling abandoned by their father, the dreamer, Nate and Junie still love him and watch helplessly as their mother, the practical one, spins deeper into depression. But Nate has a plan. He will enter and win the school science fair competition by constructing the Cloud Chamber and get to go to the state finals which is near the hospital where his father has been taken. He's paired up with the weirdest girl in class, Naomi, to work on the project. A friendship grows between Nate and Naomi, providing some comfort in a world suddenly turned upside down. Joel Johnstone's narration makes listeners hear and feel the pain, anguish, fear, and hope in the voices and hearts of the characters.Even secondary characters are brought vividly to life through Johnstone's reading of this powerful and emotionally charged coming-of-age story.–Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fiarport Public Library, NY

A Fast and Brutal Wing (unabr.). 5 cassettes. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-3245-7. $22.75; read-along pack: $46.70.

Gr 9 Up–An incident in the woods on Halloween involving a strange, reclusive fantasy writer is told in the alternating voices of three teenagers through e-mails, writing assignments, and school assignments and is interspersed with a reporter's newspaper accounts. The teens are found naked, and siblings Niki and Emmet are covered with blood. Writer Nicholas Slanger is nowhere to be found. What really happened in the woods? Can Niki really transform into a cat and Emmet into a hawk? Are they having an incestuous relationship? Are they crazy? Their friend Doug, who was hit on the head and spent part of the night unconscious, says no. Emmet, in a mental institution for treatment, says no. Niki, confined at home, has her own very compelling version of events. This recording of Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson's novel (Roaring Brook, 2004), narrated by a cast of four (Jonathan Davis, Johnny Heller, Jenny Ikeda, and Scott Shina), is an exercise in first person point of view and overlapping plots that makes listeners think hard. Whose version of events is true? Ikeda's narration of Niki, in particular, stands out, as she brings a great deal of emotional context to the contradictory stories. A good purchase for high school and public libraries.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

The Tiger in the Well (unabr.). 8 cassettes. 13:08 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 1-4000-8974-3. $55.

Gr 7 Up–Philip Pullman's third Sally Lockhart mystery (Knopf, 1990) finds our Victorian heroine involved in a business career and living a happy Bohemian life with her toddler daughter and assorted friends and household staff. Almost immediately, this idyll is shattered: Sally receives legal notice of divorce proceedings against her–from a man she's never heard of–and in double quick time, her assets and then her child are taken from her. Anton Lesser narrates with the full range of characters and moods he has brought to life in the earlier books in this winning series. Additional challenges for both Sally and Lesser include a new host of characters, specifically Eastern European Jews seeking asylum in Britain. In her search to clear her name and keep her little daughter, Sally finds shelter and a new vocation as social worker among those living and working in London's slums, and then as a housemaid in a rich man's mansion. Pullman keeps multiple tensions on the high wire here: Sally's immediate situation, the plights and politics of the immigrants, the loathesome and paralyzed Mr. Lee with his house built on an ancient London sewer. It's best to read this series in order so that plot twists carry maximum effect. Pullman's story is classic melodrama and Lesser's performance fully realizes the potential the audiobook format holds as an extension, rather than simple recapitulation, of print text. No audiobook collection is complete without this series.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Music

Brighter Than Fireflies. 1 CD. 37:38 min. Prod. by Jewel-Eye Music/BMI/July Records. Dist. by Emphasis Entertainment. 2005. ISBN 1-893967-27-1. $14.98.

K-Gr 3–Amy Lowe, multi-award winning singer, songwriter, and storyteller, delivers a bang-up fifth album for children. The recipient of Parents' Choice Gold and Silver awards, Lowe presents 11 original songs in musical styles including country, jazz, rock, and calypso. Her vocal talent is wide ranging, and she varies her voice to fit the style of music. Several talented musicians perform on guitar, bass, harmonica, percussion, drums, piano, saxophone, marimba, organ, mandolin, and dobro. Tiny alien robots who demand to see the President have "Shiny Blue Eyes." "New Shoes" explores outdoor activities in summer and winter. "Miles Beboppin Hoppin" is a rabbit who jazzes up his hop-hop. "Chocolate Is Good" and so is cocoa. "If I Were a Bird" imagines what it would be like to be a bird, fish, sail, and sand. "Body Parts" lists most of the body functions. The three-toed sloth is described in "Sloth." Bernie and Boris, the brontosauruses, are "Two of a Kind." "Ghost" explains how to call a ghost. "Planets" teaches about the solar system. "When I Grow Up" expresses a wish to live in a peaceful world. An excellent choice for most libraries.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

I Was a Supa Dupa Pupa! 1 CD. 41:34 min. lyrics. Prod. by John Lucas Miller. Dist. by Big Kids Prods. 2005. #MA542-CD. $14.95.

Gr 1-6–Lucas Miller of Austin, Texas presents his third compilation of 11 clever and humorous animal songs in a variety of musical styles: rock, calypso, country, Latin, and rap. The themes of this recording are "mutualism"–when two organisms benefit each other, such as honeybees pollinating flowers–and "mutualistic symbiosis"–when two organisms live together beneficially, such as anemones and clownfish. The songs include "Living in Symbiosis," "The Chimichanga Song" (insectivores, carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores), "All About the Hive" (beehive), "I'm Lookin' Fine!" (bees pollinating flowers), "Can You See the Connection?" (fruit bats scattering seeds), "Out on the Prairie" (the importance of animal excrement in revitalizing soil), "A Deer in My Cadillac" (the importance of wolves in maintaining deer populations), "Metamorphosis" (specifically tadpole to frog), "Stinkle, Stinkle Little Skunky" (to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"), "Go Wild–Read" (at the "loco" library), and "Mutually" (plovers that clean crocodiles' teeth). On a couple of the calypso-style songs, Miller affects an "Islands" accent. He's joined here by another Austin children's recording artist, Joe McDermott, who performs percussion and backing vocals. All instrumental and vocal performances are excellent. An outstanding album.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan. 1 CD. approx. 1 hr. Koch Entertainment. 2005. $17.98.

Gr 3 Up–A seven-year labor of love, conductor Alexander Frey has revived and restored Bernstein's original score for his Broadway production of Peter Pan, parts of which were used when it first opened in 1950. This work includes all of Bernstein's instrumental compositions (Alec Wilder's were used in the Broadway musical), plus several songs which were not used in the musical. Therefore, for the first time, this album brings together all of Bernstein's compositions for Peter Pan. Ten songs are interspersed with 20 instrumental pieces. Linda Eder, a soprano whose voice has been compared to Barbara Streisand's and Celine Dion's, beautifully executes several of the songs. Daniel Narducci, a dramatic baritone who has appeared in musical performances of Camelot and Cats, convincingly performs the "Captain Hook" songs. The Amber Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Alexander Frey, provides the powerful instrumental and background music. This album deserves a place in all libraries with collections of Broadway musicals and Leonard Bernstein's music.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Lovely Sleepy Baby. 1 CD. 36:10 min. Lovely Baby Music. 2005. $15.98 ea.

PreS–In composer Raimond Lap's seventh album for babies, nine instrumental pieces are all performed in a soft, soothing contemporary pop style. Instruments such as piano, flute, upright bass, guitar, strings, drums, percussion, and others are performed flawlessly. One piece includes sound effects of ocean waves gently lapping the shoreline. The tunes have titles like "Free As a Bird," "Baby's Love for Parents," "Toddler's Rest," and "Sleepy Melody." Fans of Lap will appreciate this new lullaby album.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Mathematics

Math Music, Vol. 1: Understanding Math Through Music. 1 CD. 16:59 min. Prod. by Jewel Eye Music/BMI/July Records. Dist. by Emphasis Entertainment. 2004. ISBN 1-893967-25-5. $18.98.

Gr 4-6–Amy Lowe's child-friendly voice teaches math basics through eight catchy songs she sings with fifth grade students from Chicago's racially mixed Blaine Elementary School. The songs were originally written to help fifth graders learn basic math rules for the State IOWA Test. Measuring length, capacity and weight, the metric system, temperature, time, perimeter, and area are the topics covered. The CD includes printable lesson plans, lyrics, classroom posters, assessments, and a video documentary of the production of the CD. While this alone will not teach each math concept, it will help to reinforce the basic formulas needed. A good choice for elementary school collections.–Linda Fortino, Library Media Consultant, Fontana, WI

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