BELLY FLOP

Australian author and humorist Morris Gleitzman reads his own whimsical tale delightfully. A boy in a remote, drought-ridden Australian town finds himself ostracized because his bank manager dad has the unfortunate task of foreclosing on farm loans. Somehow the gloomy scenario is lightened by the boy's optimism and his unrelenting belief in a guardian angel, improbably named Doug. Gleitzman maintains a perky monologue of appeal for the angel's assistance as the boy is bullied by school mates. It's a straight narration without vocal characterizations, but it sounds authentic because of Gleitzman's own Australian accent. It's easy to become immersed in the boy's perspective and forget that the story is being read by an adult. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]