WEST OF REHOBOTH

This realistic and moving story introduces 12-year-old African-American Edward Massey, who is growing up in the 1960s. Eddie enjoys reading Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot mysteries and applying his own "little grey cells" as to why Uncle Rufus lives in Aunt Emma'a back shed. As he warms up to Rufus, he learns some sad truths. Every character is capably portrayed by Dion Graham: bitter Edna, tragic Rufus, sweet, innocent Eddie, modern black parents, street gangs, and white police officers. Graham fluidly presents asides, thoughts, and rising tension and even croons beautiful spirituals as the listener participates in a dreamy and magical coming-of-age story. This is part of the Griot Audio series, which honors the storyteller of West African tradition, who teaches and informs the tribe through the power of spoken word. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]