SLOUCH

Melody Muzljakovich perfectly conveys the challenges confronting girls today. Listeners meet 5-foot-10-inch-tall reserved seventh-grader Stevie Crumb and her petite, bubbly best friend, Arianna. Muzljakovich realistically introduces Stevie's basketball-obsessed family, who dismiss Stevie while catering to her brother, Ryan, who's vying for a scholarship. When Stevie joins her school's debate team, her well-rendered parents are underwhelmed, resisting as she begs for new slacks after outgrowing all her other clothes. Her understanding debate coach boosts her confidence, particularly when a nasty debater mocks her. Finally, after she's harassed by a man and brother Ryan's athletic prospects dim, her family takes notice of her. Audio enriches this superb story, which permits listeners to feel they're privy to private conversations. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]