THE MARVELOUS INVENTIONS OF ALVIN FERNALD

Alvin Fernald is always thinking and inventing, using the everyday objects around him to create something totally new. Using his powers of observation and his logical mind, he quickly realizes that something is wrong at old Mrs. Huntley's place. And he is determined to find out what. Johnny Heller's reading of this 1960s adventure story makes it as current as one written today. Heller's voice imbues Alvin with the earnestness of youth and the confidence of a true inventor. He does a wonderful job depicting the easy but honest friendship between Alvin and his best friend, Shuey, and the changing one with his little sister, Daphne, "the pest." Without much differentiation in his voice, Heller gives each of the boys, and Daphne, their own distinct personalities. Adults are mostly differentiated with higher or lower pitches and intensity. This adventure reminds us that creativity can be just as much fun as magic. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 00]