JIMMY ZEST IS BEST!

Stephen Perring reads this episodic novel featuring the irrepressible Jimmy Zest and a host of classmates in a rapid, urgent tone that one could imagine Jimmy himself using. The stories are chock-full of characters, and, while Perring gives the students an array of distinct voices and accents, it's difficult for the listener to keep them straight. This is partly because the characters aren't well developed, but it's also because Perring reads too quickly and doesn't give the listener enough pauses. The good-natured humor of the stories still shines through, though, and young listeners will recognize themselves in these everyday adventures. A.F. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]