Pick of the Day: Personal Effects (Audiobook)

SLJ — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:21:27 +0000

Personal Effects. By E.M. Kokie. 8 CDs. 9:08 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0637-0. $54.97.
Gr 9 Up–Matt has had a rough time coping since his brother’s death in Iraq left him alone with his abusive father. When his father tries to keep him from looking through his brother’s personal effects, Matt can no longer just do as he’s told. Convinced that his things will give Matt insight into TJ’s “real” life, Matt secretly defies his father and discovers that his brother had a secret significant other in Wisconsin. Needing to deliver TJ’s final unmailed letter, Matt heads for Madison to seek out C, only to find that there was even more to TJ’s secret than he’d thought. Matt must choose a path for his own future. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps or will he defy him and accept who TJ truly was. Kokie’s stellar debut novel (Candlewick, 2012) is narrated by Nick Podehl who easily captures an unsure teenager’s emotional struggle. As Matt strives to find his own self-worth and uncover his brother’s TJ’s secrets, Podehl draws listeners in and keeps them invested in Matt’s story. He fluidly evokes the wide gamut of emotions that Matt experiences, while still maintaining a sense of underlying grief throughout. The expert narration coupled with a powerful and heartfelt story make this audiobook a must-have for all high school and public library collections.–Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA

Pick of the Day: Carter’s Unfocused, One-Track Mind

SLJ — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:00:06 +0000

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

School Library Journal» Nick Podehl

Pick of the Day: Personal Effects (Audiobook)

Pick of the Day: Carter’s Unfocused, One-Track Mind