ALMOST FLYING

Tenderness and depth ground the narration of this Stonewall Award-winning story about one girl's perspective-changing summer. Shortly after learning that her divorced dad is engaged, 13-year-old Dalia finds herself and her new friend, Rani, on a road trip to an amusement park with her prickly soon-to-be-stepsister, Alexa. Neither Dalia nor Alexa is eager to connect, but Dalia is thrilled and terrified by the chance to ride real roller coasters and explore her friendship-turned-crush with Rani. Narrator Em Grosland stirs Dalia's complicated stew of emotions with care, using tone and cadence to serve up her mixed emotions and all-too-relatable tween dorkiness. Never veering into mawkishness, Grosland's portrayal is respectful and authentic throughout, adding to this audiobook's appeal for young listeners experiencing their own seasons of growth and self-discovery. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2022]