CARPE DIEM

High school sophomore Vassar Spore, the only child of a life coach and an efficiency expert, has her whole life planned--from her graduation as valedictorian from the Seattle Academy of Academic Excellence to earning a Ph.D. from an Ivy League college. Then Grandma Gerd "blackmails" her parents into allowing Vassar to accompany her on a summer trek through Southeast Asia, during which Vassar learns the value of L-I-M (living in the moment). As portrayed by Lynde Houck, Vassar sounds obnoxious and snotty. It's unbelievable how long it takes her to figure out Grandma's trite secret. Grandma Gerd sounds more like a society lady than a bohemian. The most realistic character is Hanks, the Chinese-Malaysian cowboy who saves Vassar's life more than once. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2008]