THE GREEN GLASS SEA

The quiet yet powerful story of 1940s Los Alamos saves an otherwise unremarkable audiobook. Julie Dretzin captures 11-year-old Dewey's timid genius and 12-year-old Suze's bravado in the face of war and change. From the time they arrive at "the Hill," the story follows the two girls as they observe their parents developing the first nuclear weapon. Dretzin's subdued tones mirror Klages's understated style but rarely elevate its subtle technique and emotion. The girls meet and grow closer over a long span of time, making it difficult to maintain the audiobook's intensity. Dretzin's descriptions of science and engineering are clear and unforced, but the story's impact, not the delivery, distinguishes this audiobook. C.A. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]