A BRIDGE TO THE STARS

Henning Mankell, prize-winning author of the Inspector Wallander series, has a winner with his first novel for young adults. Francis Greenslade narrates the story of 11-year-old Joel and his father, who live in the cold, desolate forests of northern Sweden. In spite of Samuel's abandonment of the sea to make a life as a tree cutter, Joel's mother deserted the family. Greenslade's Australian accent adds to the surreal atmosphere, making Sweden's dark and desolate winter a character. You feel the loss, loneliness, and confusion that send Joel out searching for a dog he has spotted from his window. And you'll feel the coldness of the Swedish winter that has penetrated Joel's heart begin to thaw as spring slowly warms his heart and his life. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]