BEST OF THE BEST

Twelve-year-old Josh has two things going on in his brain: playing baseball and dealing with his parents’ imminent breakup. While he tries to keep his head clear as he attempts to lead his team to the Little League World Series, the thought of his family splitting hangs over him. So he and a friend devise a plan to try to keep his folks together. Green’s story breezes along in brisk chapters, and his narration is just as fun. He differentiates voices creatively: Josh’s friend, a girl who aspires to be a writer, is given articulate diction and a Southern lilt. Josh’s best pal on the team has a husky “big lug” kind of voice. Josh’s father’s voice resonates with a stern, deep tone that is consistently recognizable. M.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2011]