GROUNDED

An ensemble cast brings listeners to Zora Neale Hurston Airport, where bad weather grounds four preteens who are traveling home with their families from the Muslims of North America conference. Animal lover Hanna, aspiring poet Feek, NokNok influencer Nora, and martial artist Sami take turns recounting the events that occur when Hanna recruits them to help search for a lost cat. Each kid is a carefully developed individual whose complex emotional interiority emerges in thoughtful vocal performances. A key secondary character, however, Feek's sister, Ruqi, a 4-year-old dynamo, is denied this. She's infantilized with an overly babyish characterization, primarily by Amir Abdullah, whose baritone is particularly unsuited to the challenge. Annoying little sister aside, there's much to enjoy. V.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]