THE FRAGILE ORDINARY

Elle Newlands narrates this engaging story of young love and the pains of growing up in a small Scottish suburb. Despite her attention-grabbing name, Comet Caldwell has always been shy and introverted. She is completely overwhelmed by her feelings for the new American boy in school, Tobias. It's even worse that he hangs out with the local bad boys. Newlands's sensitive narration of Comet's inner monologue connects the listener to the prickly teenager. We hear in her own words, including the poetry she's too afraid to recite, how much she longs for attention, affection, and true love. Newlands also excels at using accents to highlight the class differences that may tear Comet and Tobias apart just when they finally come together. N.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2018]