School Library Journal» Recorded Books

Pick of the Day: The Great Unexpected (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:47:29 +0000

The Great Unexpected. By Sharon Creech. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2004-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-205-8. $51.75.
Gr 5-7–Two seemingly unique communities are entwined through history and fate in a way that only Sharon Creech can manage in her story (HarperCollins, 2012) about friendship. Naomi Dean, who has a habit of always being around when trouble starts, lives with her guardians in the little town of Blackbird Tree, and is best friends with Lizzie Scatterding, who “could talk the ears off a cornfield.” Things get interesting the day that the charming young Finn boy drops out of a tree and sets in motion some very strange and unexpected events. While the two girls puzzle over his appearance and compete for his attention, two ladies in Ireland are planning a few unusual things of their own. How the author ties all of the characters on both sides of the Atlantic together is slightly contrived, but her hints and clues keep the plot moving smoothly and logically. There are locked trunks, dogs, significant trees, Finns, and black birds in both communities, although the birds are called rooks in Ireland. Heather O’Neill and Erin Moon give each character a delightful and recognizable voice; Naomi’s is sweet and charming, Mrs. Kavanaugh’s is elegant, Mr. Farley and Crazy Cora sound elderly and gruff. Only the sing-song voice of Lizzie sounds out of place and slightly bothersome. As usual, Creech’s language and descriptions are vivid and beautiful. Rich symbolism abounds, and many common threads are woven together at the novel’s conclusion.–MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY

Pick of the Day: Sophia’s War (Audiobook)

SLJ — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:34:58 +0000

Sophia’s War. By Avi. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2043-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2042-3. $66.75.
Gr 5-9–Set in 1776 during the American Revolution when New York was under siege by the British, Avi’s tale (S & S/Beach Lane Books, 2012) of resistance features an amazing female protagonist, trials aplenty as she tries to avenge her brother’s death, and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Sophia’s family believes in freedom and desperately wants America to govern itself. Her brother goes off to fight, is captured, and ends up dying in a filthy hold of a British prison boat. John Andre, a charming English officer who is billeted with Sophia’s family, fails to intervene to save her brother. Despite having a schoolgirl crush on Andre, Sophia is conflicted by his failure to save her brother. After witnessing the execution of Nathan Hale, Sophia is determined to help the American cause. Recruited as a spy, she becomes a maid in the home of the commander of the British forces in America. Sophia uncovers some crucial information and sets out to reach West Point before Benedict Arnold can turn it over to the British. Avi’s outstanding text and Angela Goethals’s spot-on narration make the Revolutionary War come alive for listeners, providing a real sense of the time period. A perfect choice for school and public libraries.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Pick of the Day: Balloons Over Broadway: The Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade (Audiobook)

SLJ — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:59:28 +0000

Balloons Over Broadway: The Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. By Melissa Sweet. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-4703-2922-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2921-1. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-5471-9945-9: $16.99.
K-Gr 3–The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is a holiday tradition. But where did those big balloons begin? With puppeteer Tony Sarg, of course! The informative, enthusiastic text of Sweet’s Robert F. Siebert Medal picture-book biography (Houghton Mifflin, 2011) tells a little about Sarg’s life and his career in puppetry, adding a few quirky details sure to amuse listeners. Then it gets into the details of his part in the parade, and the evolution of creativity that led to the balloons we see today. John McDonough reads the text in a measured, clear manner—rather like the steady, rhythmic march of a band—giving listeners plenty of opportunity to explore Sweet’s inspired multimedia illustrations. The end notes give additional information on this fascinating but little-known character from history. A delightful example of good nonfiction that should capture the interest of young and old alike.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

Pick of the Day: Anna Hibiscus (CD)

SLJ — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:00:02 +0000

Anna Hibiscus. By Atinuke. cassette or CD. 1 hr. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-3465-6, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-3466-3. $15.75.
Gr 1-3–With this introductory phrase, “Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa,” we are introduced to the many facets of an African child’s daily life with her close-knit family. The culture, land, and people of Africa come shining through in Atinuke’s absolutely delightful stories (Walker, 2007) in this early chapter book. Four vignettes focusing on the child’s life with her large, noisy, extended family point out the value of following traditions. Whether on holiday, selling oranges, dreaming of snow, or advising her Auntie Comfort in America, Anna Hibiscus learns lessons about respecting her elders, working hard, and becoming a proper African lady. Mutiyat Ade-Salu makes the sights and sounds of Africa come alive with her mesmerizing African lilt and clear diction. The humor and the gravity of the text are beautifully expressed, and the images of smiling relatives, lagoons, and the compound where Anna Hibiscus lives linger. One highlight is the simple, joyful paean to snow sung by Anna Hibiscus, although she has never actually seen it. Students will be fascinated by the richness of living near the sea and the rainforest, and will find opportunities to compare and contrast this lifestyle with their own experiences. A gem.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Pick of the Day: Splendors & Glooms (Audiobook)

SLJ — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:00:21 +0000

Splendors & Glooms. By Laura Amy Schlitz. 10 cassettes or 10 CDs. 12 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4498-3568-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4498-3572-9. $108.75
Gr 4-8–Set in a Dickensian London, Davina Porter is the perfect narrator to capture the nuances of the characters and the time period in Schlitz’s exceptional Victorian fantasy (Candlewick, 2012). Listeners will ache for the orphan children, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall, when they come up with money after pawning a watch. Should they have a proper meal and see the marionettes, or spend the money on practical items they so desperately need? Will they be able to hold onto it long enough to realize either option? The privileged Clara has been kidnapped and transformed by the evil puppet master Grisini. He gained his power from the witch, Cassandra, who desperately needs a child to steal the fire opal that fuels her magic, thereby saving her from a fiery death. Grisini offers up his charges, not realizing that they have discovered the puppet Clara. Parsefall believes it is the missing girl, and Lizzie Rose can’t quite deny it. When Clara’s father sees Parsefall using the puppet, he confronts the children who performed with their master on his daughter’s birthday. Threatened by the possibility of police, the children flee. Cassandra’s promise of an inheritance and money for the train arrive just in time. If and how the three children can save themselves will keep listeners enthralled to the very end. Porter’s deliberate pacing intensifies the drama and her talent with accents broadens the portrayals. A not-to-be-missed gothic thriller.–Janet Thompson, Chicago Public Library, W. Belmont Branch, IL

Pick of the Day: Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. By Lee Wardlaw. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4565-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4571-4: $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-8050-8995-0: $16.99.
Gr 1-4–A cat sits in a shelter. There are other cats around him, yet he is alone. Will anyone choose him? Yes! But adjustments must be made…mostly by his new owners because, after all, he IS a cat. Wardlaw’s book (Holt, 2011) strikes just the right notes. Written in clever and evocative haiku, this delightful story follows Won Ton as he settles into his new home and neighborhood. This cat clearly has personality, and James Yaegashi puts a subtle purr in his voice as he brings the cat to life vocally, changing the pacing of his performance to match the mood changes of the text. Listeners will smile in recognition of the vicissitudes of catdom, and come away feeling as if an errant tail has just flicked past their ankles.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

Pick of the Day: About Average (CD)

SLJ — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:24:09 +0000

About Average. By Andrew Clements. 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-0081-4, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-0082-1. $25.75.
Gr 3-6–Jordan understands that it’s hard being average. Everyone around her seems to have a shining talent, or even two or three—but not Jordan. She realistically examines herself and recognizes her ordinariness. She is a C student and has average looks, but she hopes that her enthusiasm will make up for a lack of talent in sports and music. It’s a little depressing. Jordan is good at babysitting and organizing. She wins a haiku contest. She’s even good at coming up with a plan to deal with a bully. Still, none of that is going to win her accolades. Besides, she’s just trying to make it through to the end of sixth grade, as oppressive heat and sauna humidity melt the students into puddles of inactivity. However, when disaster strikes, it is average, cool-headed Jordan who comes up with a plan to save lives. Andrew Clements’s winning book (Atheneum, 2012) is read by Celia Keenan-Bolger in a young, sympathetic voice that draws listeners into Jordan’s all-too-ordinary life. Yet listeners also catch hints of Jordan’s strengths that she fails to recognize, offering hope to adolescents who are often too hard on themselves. The pacing is perfect and the narrator’s creation of unique character voices brings the story to life. This exceptional production will have listeners smiling and rooting for the girl who doesn’t realize how extraordinary “average” can be.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA