LOVE, AUBREY

Eleven-year-old Aubrey has been living on her own for a week, fending for herself in the aftermath of a horrible car accident that claimed half of her family and prompted her grief-stricken mother to abandon her. Becca Battoe's high, youthful voice is well suited to the story, which is told mostly from Aubrey's point of view and includes flashback accounts of her life. Though Battoe is less successful with other voices, notably those of older males such as Aubrey's neighbor and her uncle, her narration of Aubrey's story is engaging enough that this proves a minor distraction. Her childlike matter-of fact delivery allows young listeners to empathize with Aubrey's situation without being overwhelmed by it. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]