COME SING, JIMMY JO

"Jimmy Jo" is the stage name his mamma has given James Johnson, a mountain boy who's been living on a rocky farm with his Grandma until he joins the family singing group on the "Country Time" TV show in Tidewater, Virginia. Suddenly, the shy 11-year-old has fans, long lost relatives coming out of the woodwork, a tough sixth-grade teacher, and a chance to see his ambitious mother's shallow vanity close-up. Written by Newbery Medal-winning children's writer Katherine Paterson (BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA), this is one of those stories that starts slow and builds. It is helped immeasurably by the gentle voice of narrator Linda Stephens, who even supplies James's singing with a pure alto that will make readers a fan of Jimmy Jo's music-- and Stephens's voice. M.C. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 00]