INVASION OF THE VAMPIRE SPIDERS

When their family moves into a former school for servants, Finn and Phoebe have no idea of the adventures that await them. Spider-fanatic Finn is overjoyed to learn that their neighbor, Clinton C. Clinton, is a spider psychologist. Phoebe is intrigued by her discovery of the diary of Ruby Dove, a Victorian-era servant. Narrator Russell Boulter gives an outstanding portrayal of the children as they're overtaken by vampire spiders, as well as delivering excellent characterizations of shy Clinton and bossy elderly neighbors. The entries in Ruby's diary give modern listeners a sobering glimpse of her simple but unfulfilled dreams. In a perfect ending, Ruby and her father get credit for saving the spiders with a long forgotten invention. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]