THE JUVIE THREE

Gordon Korman tells the story of three juveniles, Gecko, Arjay, and Terrance, who are given a second chance when chosen by Douglas Healy, for an experimental halfway house. Christopher Evan Welch tells their story with an unemotional narration. Although the story doesn't have the depth of some of Korman's other novels, Welch's businesslike delivery shines a harsh light on the ways society fails our at-risk and marginalized children. Unfortunately, the plot veers from the realism Korman is known for when Healy becomes an unidentified coma victim and the boys manage to maintain their school, therapy, and community service regime in spite of their lack of support and supervision. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]