MAN AT THE HELM

Lizzie Vogel recalls the year she turned 9, when her family fell from grace after her father walked out on them, leaving his sheltered ex-wife ill-equipped to handle everyday life. After a forced move to the country threatens to derail their mother, Lizzie and her older sister take it upon themselves to find a new man to be the head of their household. Narrator Imogen Church portrays Lizzie wonderfully, raising her pitch and employing a natural-sounding youthful cadence. Her sense of timing and use of drama to enhance Lizzie's storytelling add to the charm of the audiobook, making it easy for listeners to laugh at the girls' matchmaking schemes, sympathize with their changing circumstances, and connect emotionally to their mother's rough journey to self-reliance. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2015]