AURORA COUNTY ALL-STARS

Kate Jackson takes on the role of an expert storyteller, pausing to let listeners savor Wiles's rich wordplay, then rushing enthusiastically at more dramatic points. Her performance transports listeners to slow-moving Aurora County, Mississippi, for Wiles's third saga about this caring community. This time the central character is 12-year-old House Jackson, popular pitcher for the Aurora County All-Stars. Out of commission for a year because of a badly broken elbow, he's been secretly reading classics to 88-year-old Norwood Boyd, the town recluse, who is dying. Jackson's slow pace lets listeners enter the contemplative mind of House, who must sort out his feelings when responsibility, loyalty, and truth become blurred. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]