ARIEL

Alexandra O'Karma uses her low-pitched, clear voice to add drama and urgency to Block's thriller. Because Ariel Jardell, an adopted, solitary 12-year old girl, and her mother, Roberta, are the main characters, O'Karma's voice easily differentiates and personalizes them. Roberta believes Ariel is jealous of baby brother Caleb and is afraid she is malevolent, that drives Ariel to precocious, mischievous deeds like blowing out the pilot lights on the range in their old house and befriending a strange classmate named Erskine. The unnerving, bizarre tale is part madness, part ghost story, and definitely a coming-of-age novel. Young adults will enjoy. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]