WHAT THE MOON SAID

It's 1930, the beginning of the Great Depression in Chicago, when 10-year-old Esther and her family move from the city to a farm in Wisconsin. Laural Merlington performs this lovely, heartrending story of love, superstition, and determination to persevere in the face of bad luck and difficult days. Esther and Violet are portrayed with light, childlike voices, Ma with heavy Russian accents, and Pa with subtle German-accented tones. Told from Esther's perspective, the story is full of hope and friendship, with Ma's superstitious beliefs guiding the family member's lives. Merlington's expert narration transports listeners from Chicago, where jobs are scarce, to a hardscrabble Wisconsin farm that lacks electricity and running water. The audiobook is perfect for preteen listeners, and adults will be charmed as well. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2015]