Review:
Louis Braille Audio.
Read by Rebecca Macauley
13+ The howling of a lonely wolf - or a wild dog - entice Lucy and Jake to take a hike into the hills to see if they can discover the animal's lair. Lucy is running from an abusive father and Jake wants the chance to prove the accuracy of his father's story of sighting a wolf. When bad luck overturns their plans, Lucy is forced to make difficult emotional decisions and Jake is challenged to overcome physical hardship.
Rebecca Macauley's reading of this verse novel highlights two very different families. She manages to bring to life the two main characters and their families. Lucy's heart-rending voice is captured as she struggles to maintain her integrity in face of physical abuse from her father. She mourns the loss of her beloved grandmother and despises her mother's weakness in not facing up to her father. Jake's voice, on the other hand, recounts the life of a loving family and gives the listener a respite from the trauma and fear that Lucy faces on a daily basis. The character of Peter, Lucy's brother, is caught beautifully.
The listener is swept along with the adventure on the mountain and amazed at Lucy's courage and determination. Thankfully the novel ends on a positive note with hope that Lucy will find family love and security.
This reading will appeal to both boys and girls and is a good example of free form poetry to use in the classroom.
Pat Pledger
ReadPlus
Lonesome howl by Steven Herrick
Louis Braille Audio.
Read by Rebecca Macauley13+ The howling of a lonely wolf - or a wild dog - entice Lucy and Jake to take a hike into the hills to see if they can discover the animal's lair. Lucy is running from an abusive father and Jake wants the chance to prove the accuracy of his father's story of sighting a wolf. When bad luck overturns their plans, Lucy is forced to make difficult emotional decisions and Jake is challenged to overcome physical hardship.
Rebecca Macauley's reading of this verse novel highlights two very different families. She manages to bring to life the two main characters and their families. Lucy's heart-rending voice is captured as she struggles to maintain her integrity in face of physical abuse from her father. She mourns the loss of her beloved grandmother and despises her mother's weakness in not facing up to her father. Jake's voice, on the other hand, recounts the life of a loving family and gives the listener a respite from the trauma and fear that Lucy faces on a daily basis. The character of Peter, Lucy's brother, is caught beautifully.
The listener is swept along with the adventure on the mountain and amazed at Lucy's courage and determination. Thankfully the novel ends on a positive note with hope that Lucy will find family love and security.
This reading will appeal to both boys and girls and is a good example of free form poetry to use in the classroom.
Pat Pledger
ReadPlus
© Pledger
Consulting, 2007