CANADA

Strong sentences open this novel: “First, I'll tell you about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later." From the first, narrator Holter Graham takes command of Ford's words, pulling the listener into the story of 15-year-old Dell Parsons and the six weeks that should have destroyed him. Graham modulates his volume, tempo, and inflections to fit each situation, for example, speeding up and adding excitement to the moments leading up to Dell's parents' arrest and growing quieter and more contemplative as Dell reflects on the consequences of the path he was forced to take. Subtle accents and understated characterizations help distinguish individuals. Graham's perceptive interpretation of Dell's narrative envelops listeners in this unforgettable story of shattered innocence and a boy's determination to find normalcy. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2012]