BOOM TOWN

Supply creates demand. In this case, enterprising Amanda, craving the taste of freshly baked pie, figures out a way to bake them in her family's cabin in the gold-crazed California territory. For younger listeners, Sonia Levitin's book provides a light, appealing look at the settlement of the West, the growth of a town, and the power of teamwork. Kate Forbes, as Amanda herself, is a convincing youngster. Her cadences reflect the ups and downs of Amanda's developing business: As Amanda experiments, Forbes slows down; as her brothers ridicule her, Forbes accentuates the tension; and as Amanda lures new ventures to town, Forbes speeds up and reflects confidence. Celebrate the power of pie and test out Amanda's recipe. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]