SIR CALLIE AND THE CHAMPIONS OF HELSTON Sir Callie, Book 1

Dani Martineck shines in presenting a confident character who feels confined in a disapproving world. Listeners will travel to the royal capital of Helston with Callie, a nonbinary 12-year-old who is determined to become a knight in a forbidding place with strict boundaries between genders. In this intolerant kingdom only girls can study magic, and boys must stick to swordplay. Martineck's narration makes it easy to differentiate the large cast of characters who are expressing emotions that range from despair to hope. They also capture the comforting voices of Callie's dads. An introductory author's note provides a content warning and a list of resources for those who may be uncomfortable with Callie's journey. E.J.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2022]