TEN MILES PAST NORMAL

High school freshman Janie Gorman wants what every teenager wants, to be normal and fit in with the high school crowd—an aim that was made impossible by her overly enthusiastic younger self when she convinced her parents to leave the city and move to a farm. Jessica Almasy reads Janie’s words and thoughts in a bubbly teen voice, full of hope and excitement for the beginning of her high school years. Almasy also captures the sarcasm that Janie reserves for her mother, whose blog about life on the farm may very well be ruining Janie’s social life. As the school year progresses, Janie begins to move out of her comfort zone, befriending a fellow cafeteria refugee named Verbena, whom Almasy portrays in a breathy, dreamy voice, and a bassist named “Monster,” who is characterized by a Southern drawl. As time passes, Janie’s new friends lead to her consider just how overrated “normal” might be. E.N. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2011]