Discovering Wes Moore. By Wes Moore. 4 CDs. 4:01 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2013. ISBN 978-0-8041-2193-4. $30.
Gr 7 Up–In the young adult version (Delacorte, 2012) of the adult title, The Other Wes Moore (Spiegel & Grau, 2009),Moore recounts his experiences growing up fatherless on the mean streets ofBaltimore and theBronx. Before he could succumb to the allure of the streets,Moore was sent to military school by his mother, which proved to be the catalyst for the changes he needed in his life. Surrounded by positive male role models, Wes turned his life around through hard work and discipline and eventually became an officer in the U.S. Army, a Rhodes Scholar, and a successful businessman. His story wouldn’t be complete, though, without the inclusion of information about another Wes Moore, a young man of about the same age from the sameBaltimore neighborhood whose life took a different course—serving a prison sentence for murder. Part cautionary tale, part coming-of-age autobiography,Moore’s story highlights the thin line between success and failure. Read by the author, the text take on a warm conversational tone, andMoore’s articulate, impassioned delivery helps emphasize his points. He doesn’t shy away from sharing stories about the mistakes he has made and the hurt he has caused. Many teen listeners may relate their own problems toMoore’s youthful indiscretions. An inspirational, engaging listen.–Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH