THE WHEEL ON THE SCHOOL

Lina, the only girl in the one-room school of the Dutch fishing village of Shora, wonders why storks no longer come to nest in her town. Her wondering sets off extraordinary events in the community as the children try to bring back the storks. Flosnik's unvoiced reading skillfully guides the listener through the myriad characters and convoluted events of this 1955 Newbery Award winner. But it is ultimately the story, with its strong portrayal of the power of hope and yearning to shape a community, that makes this listening experience rise above the ordinary. A bold choice for recording is carried off remarkably well. S.G. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 00]