IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD

Loretta Ellsworth's coming-of-age story pays homage to Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. For her sixteenth birthday Erin's widowed father gives her a diary that belonged to her mother and then announces his plans to marry his girlfriend. In response, Erin hops a bus heading for Monroeville, Alabama, for the purpose of meeting Harper Lee. The narrative of the road trip alternates with entries from the diary, through which Erin connects with the mother she never knew. Though her voice lacks emotionality and sounds much younger than that of a 16-year-old, Jessica Almasy's delivery is clear and precise. This work may encourage young listeners to read Lee's classic when they're older. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]