PIPER GREEN AND THE FAIRY TREE

Tavia Gilbert performs this first-person narration with an enthusiastic high pitch--which is perfect for the eccentric young heroine who lives on an island in Maine and takes a lobster boat to school. Piper is a small girl with big feelings, especially strong since her older brother left for boarding school. Her emotions shift frequently, and Gilbert captures them all, especially Piper's wonder at discovering the gift-giving Fairy Tree. Gilbert also transitions easily to portray other characters. She adopts a Maine accent and jovial tone for the caring lobster boat captain. She's just as convincing as Piper's snooty classmate and the beautiful new teacher whose manner is commanding, rather than princess-like as Piper expects. Gilbert stresses the positive feelings and humor more than the underlying pathos of this story. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2016]