SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE

When Emily's best friend, Sloane, disappears, she leaves Emily a provocative list to complete. Narrator Suzy Jackson depicts Emily as a shy teen who has always followed Sloane's lead. Listeners will hear humorous discomfort as Emily scrapes up the courage to "kiss a stranger" and "dance until dawn." Although Jackson's phrasing is sometimes stiff, she conveys the many summer epiphanies Emily experiences as she transforms into a self-confident teen who takes risks for all the right reasons. Teenage characters, including Emily's love interest, Frank, each have their own voicing and sound age appropriate. As Emily completes her list, listeners will identify with her victories. Jackson's empathetic performance makes for a heartwarming listen full of love and self-discovery. C.A. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]