Carter’s Unfocused, One-Track Mind. By Brent Crawford. 7 CDs. 8:06 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-61106-285-4. $59.97.
Gr 9 Up–Will Carter returns as a sophomore to Merrian High after summer vacation, and his 15-year-old male hormone induced ADD is at a record high. He’s still in love with Abby, who has been accepted into the prestigious New York Drama School. She encourages Carter to apply, much to the initial dismay of his mother—he’s leaving “just when he is getting fit to live with.” The possibility of moving to New York—and being alone with Abby—catapults Carter’s goldfish-like attention span to become focused on reaching his goals: raising a plummeting GPA (albeit with the help of numerous Saturday detentions) and being accepted at NYDS. A handful of side stories fill in the school year. Amber Lee gives birth (not Carter’s baby); Carter’s sister falls in love with his nemesis, Scary Terry; he and his “boys” form a flight club with one pair of boxing gloves; and the drama geeks thwart the principal’s plans to shut down the controversial musical, Rent. Carter’s internal conversations are cover-your-mouth funny in their perfect blend of male teenage crudeness, hidden vulnerability, and raw honesty. Nick Podehl talent as a voice actor is unmatched, and his narration here is spot-on. Brent Crawford’s terrific novel (Hyperion, 2012) offers listeners a glimpse into the typical mind of a young adult male who can’t remember his own phone number, but knows all the colors of his girlfriend’s bras. A must-have.–Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH
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