FIREFLY CLOAK

Eight-year-old Tessa Lee tells of being abandoned by her mother in a campground with her 4-year-old brother. At 15, Tessa Lee finds and confronts her mother, who flatly denies having had children. Narrator Jenna Lamia’s sunny Southern optimism fits Tessa Lee, a wily child with a quick tongue. Lamia is equally believable as Sheila, Tessa Lee’s addict mother, and her grandmother, Lil. Through flashbacks and subtle details, Lamia fleshes out their lives, keeping each separate yet inextricably joined with the others. The combination of an absorbing story spanning three generations; multi-layered, well-defined characters; precisely crafted writing; and Jenna Lamia’s admirable performance makes this audio worthwhile. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]