NOWHERE TO CALL HOME

After waking one night to a shot that changes her life forever, 12-year-old Frances Barrows decides that the life of a hobo is more appealing than moving to live with her aunt in Chicago. Alyssa Bresnahan narrates this novel about Frankie's journey through the jungles of the Depression and the hobo's way of life, wonderfully expressing Frankie's courage, fear, helplessness, tenderness and, in the end, her acceptance of herself and those around her. Bresnahan adequately differentiates the other characters in the story with subtle distinctions, but her presentation of Frankie, as she matures on her journey, is fluid and smooth--first affluent and naive, then "boyish," and finally, aware, yet hopeful. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]