The Queen of Everything

Gr 7 Up—Jordan, a typical high school junior, was living with her divorced, controlled, and predictable father, a respected optometrist. Through first-person, flashback narration, Jordan relates how her life took a totally unexpected turn of events. Listeners will know early on that her father is in serious trouble as she begins to tell her story. The depth of his problems is slowly revealed alongside a sub plot of Jordan taking unusual and questionable risks with the town bad boy. Jordan's unremarkable life starts to spiral out of control when her father becomes involved with a manipulative married woman and then kills someone. Throughout Deb Caletti's story (Simon Pulse, 2002), Kate Rudd paces her narration to match the unfolding of the stark and troubling reality in which Jordan finds herself. While not fully voiced, Rudd does use clearly distinguishable vocal patterns and tones for all of the main characters, allowing the full impact of their behavior to be felt by listeners. Jordan's confusion and disbelief at how far her father has fallen is so convincing that listeners will be struck by the enormity of what her father has done. For Caletti fans.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY