FOCUSED

With a realistically youthful voice, narrator Cassandra Morris convincingly portrays the middle school joys and angst of a 12-year-old girl who struggles with ADHD. Seventh-grader Clea is passionate about chess, but her low grades mean she might not be allowed to participate in the school chess club. Worse still, she can't control her impulses to blurt out her best friend's secrets. When Clea is diagnosed with ADHD, Morris sympathetically portrays her anger and confusion, as well as her determination to take positive steps forward. Morris's relatable tone prevents the adults' voices from sounding didactic. Although there is not much differentiation between the young characters' voices, Morris's strong portrayal of Clea will have listeners cheering for her successes. S.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2021]