THEY CALL HER FREGONA A Border Kid's Poems

This poetry collection is a companion to THEY CALL ME GERO. Mexican actor Andres Zuno shines as the narrator. Middle-schooler Güero begins a romance with Joanna "Fregona" Padilla. As their romance progresses, they share their first kiss, hang out with their diverse friends, and meet the other's family. Their bubble bursts when Joanna's father is deported. Zuno has a slight Mexican accent that pairs nicely with the setting. He seamlessly shifts from the voice of a middle schooler to that of an adult without distracting listeners from the absorbing story. Zuno's strength lies in the deep and complex emotions he aptly expresses for the diverse characters and their situations. In one passage, he beautifully sings a lullaby, infusing it with a sweetness that listeners will relish. A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]