BEFORE TAKEOFF

At the Atlanta airport, teens James and Michelle find their meet cute layover interrupted by a wild sequence of bizarre changes in the web of reality. Everyone seems to be somehow connected to a strange blinking green light. Narrator Jade Wheeler skillfully creates numerous character voices in the international airport, including Michelle's amorphous accent, acquired from her French and Thai parents and global upbringing. Fighting their way through interiors of snow, fog, and rain, the pair encounter the many strange reactions of humans in panic, which range from violence to a dance party. Wheeler's tone stays bright, reflecting the quirky and sprawling prose. More philosophy and long walks than action, this audiobook will appeal to thoughtful teens who enjoy emotional stories with absurdist settings. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]