GENTLE'S HOLLER

This tender coming-of-age story, nestled in the mountain towns of the Great Smokies, portrays the strength of family ties. Kate Forbes is an unassuming narrator who lets the actions of the characters speak for themselves. Through a calm and slowly paced narration, we come to hear Grandma Horst as not so blustery, a mercurial father gravitating more toward family responsibilities, a mother with an iron exterior and a deep interior, innocent and loving siblings, and young Livy, who exhibits caring and compassion beyond her years. Enjoy the ditties that Livy plays on her guitar--"thinking pick-me-ups" as Grandma Horst calls them. A.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]