DARNELL ROCK REPORTING

Signing up for the school newspaper is one of the few positive things 13-year-old Darnell Rock seems to do. His encounter with a homeless man is a counterpoint to his seeing his own world a little differently and beginning to write about it. The story's a good choice for audio and adds a choice outside light-hearted subjects or classics. It also doesn't have the depressive bent of much young adult fiction. This story can be listened to by much younger children and is a good one to share as a family. James's narration is suitable, if not exceptional. He doesn't seem to get into the rhythm of the kids' street-talk. It's almost as if he's speaking clearly so listeners who never hear street talk will understand and to that extent the choice is probably the right one. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JAN 96]