REPLAY

Christopher Burns brings a large, boisterous Italian family to life. The plot weaves the past and the present, a school play, and the main character's imaginary world into an insightful coming-of-age story. Thirteen-year-old Leo is known as "Sardine" because he is positioned between an older sister and younger brothers. His sister also calls him "Fog Boy" because he's often lost in a daydream, casting himself as a hero as he replays his life. Burns embodies Leo's growing self-awareness with a simple, perfectly enunciated "Huh!" every time comprehension dawns. Papa says, "Leo, you make gold from pebbles." This little story is filled with golden pebbles, including a full-cast rendering of the school play to end the production. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]