STELLA ETC Frankie, Peaches and Me

In this teen tale about Stella, whose family has moved from a bustling British city to what Stella calls "Port Bore" by the sea, narrator Jenny Bryce faces several challenges. Not only is Bryce required to give voice to the story's 13-year-old main characters, she also has to create a variety of other voices, including those of Stella's friends, her toddler twin brothers, and besieged parents. Bryce enthusiastically and effectively embraces her task while creating other sound effects (like a convincing cat's "purrrrr") and while replicating the stutter that appears when Stella is nervous. Best of all, Bryce nails an authentic teen tone for Stella--"whatever!"--without making the character unlikable. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]