MY ALMOST EPIC SUMMER

While Irene may not consider her summer to be epic, it is certainly a summer of personal milestones and self-discovery. At first, Irene is a teenager who feels tremendously sorry for herself at being forced into babysitting for two kids all summer. Jessica Almasy delivers all of Irene's personal outrage at this situation. As the summer progresses, Irene begins to grow up. Her newfound maturity is reflected in Almasy's voice; as Irene is transformed into a sympathetic character, the change is wholly believable. Almasy's portrayals of the other characters are also credible--from ultra-cool love interest Drew Fuller to the glamorous Starla, who thinks herself a poet. While the story is not complex, Almasy brings a universally human aspect to her narration. M.R.P. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]