The Cruisers

Gr 6—9—The Cruisers attend the DaVinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem, but Zander and his crew—Kambui, LaShonda, and Bobbi—don't fit in. Although they are academically talented, their grades are poor, and they are given one last shot to redeem themselves. While the school participates in a Civil War recreation, the Cruisers are given the job of peacekeepers and must arrange a peace between the sides—or be expelled from school. When a group starts to use historical documents to promote slavery in the Southern states, the school is thrown into an uproar. Zander and his friends create an alternative school newspaper, "The Cruiser," and learn about the power of words. Walter Dean Myers's short, yet powerful novel (Scholastic, 2010) is narrated by Kevin Free whose youthful tone and measured pace perfectly reflect Zander's voice. Amidst his narrative, Myers has included articles and editorials from the various newspapers at the DaVinci Academy, and Free does a good job of reading them. Content, performance, and length all make this audiobook a great choice for reluctant middle school readers, especially in urban areas.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT