BOYS AT WORK

Rudy Herrera is terrified. He has tripped and smashed homeboy Slinky's portable compact disc player. If he doesn't earn the money to replace it before Slinky returns from a trip to Florida, he feels certain that Slinky will kill him. Robert Ramirez reads the money-raising antics of 10-year-old Rudy and his best friend, Alex, with enthusiasm and wry humor. His Spanish accent lends an authenticity to the reading, particularly as Soto often employs Spanish words and colloquialisms in his dialogue. This title will be popular with elementary-school-aged boys, not only for its humorous story, but also for its many fresh ideas for their own money-making schemes. T.B. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 97]