CRUISERS: A STAR IS BORN

Kevin R. Free continues narrating this series about eighth grader Zander, who attends a New York City school for the gifted and talented. He’s part of a smart, and often sarcastic, group of friends called “the Cruisers.” Free showcases his facility with accents, maintaining emotional resonance whether he’s voicing a pompous authority figure or a strong Afghan girl. He embraces the characters’ struggles as they encounter thorny issues: group homes, autism, school choice, intolerance of Muslims, and divorce. Myers doesn’t answer all the questions he raises, focusing instead on his characters. They are the heart of his story and are much enhanced by Free’s warm voice and fluid pacing. A.M.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2012]