SHUG

Annemarie is a late-blooming 12-year-old who feels out of step with the rest of the world. She feels inadequate next to her beautiful older sister, embarrassed by her alcoholic mother, and deserted by her mostly absent father. Looking forward to starting middle school, she is, at the same time, confused by new rules and social roles. Han’s language is spot-on; she clearly has a sense of the excitement, confusion, and mystery of the almost-teen--eager to be adult one minute and missing childhood the next. Unfortunately, Liz Morton’s performance does not do justice to this realistic first-person story. Shug’s voice, which should be vibrant and alive, comes across as flat and bored. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]