HONEY

It's almost impossible to select narrator Rebecca Soler's best character in this gem for young listeners. Ten-year-old Melody Bishop's mother died when she was a baby. Since then, it's always been just she and her dad—until she hears him call someone “honey” over the phone. Soler is self-assured and bright as Melody, her best friend, Nick, and her kind dad. Other memorable characterizations include those of a bratty six-year-old neighbor named Teeny and Grandpo Bishop, who goes to the garage “to look for a hammer" when he's going for a smoke. The story's rich text is enhanced by Soler's delivery, with verbs and adjectives getting all the necessary verve. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2015]