THE COLLECTORS

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo pulls listeners into this compelling story of an underground world where wishes come true. Eleven-year-old Van is hearing impaired and uses his other senses to pay close attention to his environment. So he is the only person who notices a girl and a squirrel stealing coins out of a fountain. His discovery that the duo belongs to a secret society that collects wishes to protect their magic propels him into the center of a secret war. As characterized by de Ocampo, the girl's quick, sharp voice contrasts with Van's polite, soft-spoken tones. High-pitched squeaks enhance the believability of the talking squirrel. Most interestingly, listeners hear and decode Van's misheard speech just as he does, increasing our understanding of his hearing challenges. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]