NORTH

Twelve-year-old Alvin chafes under his mother's strict rules and longs for adventure in the tradition of his hero, Arctic explorer Matthew Henson. Free captures Alvin's early frustration, as well as the excitement he feels leaving inner- city Washington, D.C., and embarking on a journey into the frozen wilderness. Though Napoli's story of Alvin's quest may seem a bit unbelievable at times, Free's narration places the listener directly inside each situation Alvin faces along the way. Called upon to portray everyone from tough drug dealers who try to enlist Alvin into their ranks to the Inuit people who propel him toward his goal, Free creates a sense of place in a story in which characters must react to the perils of the world around them. D.P.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]