Tall Story

Gr 6–9—Bernardo, who suffers from gigantism, lives in a world where real life and magic collide. To his family, he's just a boy who was forced to stay in the Philippines when his mother left for England. To the villagers of San Andres, he's the reincarnation of their giant hero, Bernardo Carpio. To his younger sister, Andi, born and raised in London, Bernardo is both the brother she has always loved and the freakishly tall boy who is going to draw way too much attention at school. As Andi struggles to adjust to having Bernardo in her daily life, the boy must deal with the guilt he feels at leaving the only home he's ever known. When an earthquake devastates San Andres just after Bernardo leaves, he's sure it's his fault. He believes that he brings destruction and danger wherever he goes, but everyone else thinks that Bernardo brings miracles. Candy Gourlay's touching story (Random/David Fickling Bks., 2011) of family, strong friendships, and acceptance is brought to vivid life by narrators Ramon De Ocampo and Jayne Entwistle. Told in alternating chapters, De Ocampo and Entwistle shine as Bernardo and Andi, providing expertly matched accents and emotional performances. Entwistle brings a bristling vivacity to the pint-sized girl who longs to be a star point guard on a basketball team and a true younger sister. De Ocampo lends Bernardo a seriousness that enhances his self-deprecation and longing to please everyone around him. Together, the narrators build a story that captivates. An excellent audio version of a well-written tale.—Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA