SCHOOL TRIP

Jordan Banks and his friends are back, once again voiced by a full cast, for a year-ending trip to Paris. It's going to be great--except that the insufferable Andy's part of the group. But Paris is amazing, and the trip offers lots of opportunities for growth--even Andy's. Craft's graphic novels are known for their playful visuals, and this adaptation features clever sound effects and careful narrative enhancement to give listeners an analogous experience. However, it's less successful at fully communicating the racism Jordan and many of his friends endure, as listeners can't see the racial and ethnic diversity evident in Craft's panels. The sincerity with which the cast conveys the kids' soul-searching conversations fills in many of the gaps. A winning companion. V.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2023]