LISTENING FOR LIONS

Rachel loves the sights, smells, and sounds of life in Africa. But all that is lost when she’s orphaned and forced to assume another child’s identity in a manipulative scheme. Bianca Amato’s exceptional narration brings us fully into Rachel’s inner life. We feel her shock at her parents’ death and the end of all that is familiar, her misery and guilt at the lie she must live, as well as her innate qualities that cannot be destroyed: her kindness and strength; caring personality; and joy in books, nature, and medicine. Amato’s reading is so smooth and soft-spoken that the listener is rarely aware of the transitions to supporting characters, who are drawn in distinct, if subtle, characterizations. A stellar reading gives breadth and raw emotion to a solid story. W.L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2007 Audies Award Winner © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]