SLINGSHOT

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky masterfully connects listeners to the awkward nervous energy of teens. Gracie, a 15-year-old who attends a boarding school in Florida, does not have a typical or even pleasant family life. Scared of love, and of letting others get to know her, she ends up drawing the attention of the new boy, Wade, by shooting his adversary with her slingshot. With that act, Gracie starts to loosen up, finding a few friends who open her eyes to possibilities. Vilinsky shines with breathless trepidation as Gracie grows from heartbreak, jealousy, and self-realization. At times, it's hard to listen to the raw emotions Vilinsky voices--which also make this audiobook hard to put down. S.K.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2021]