PLAN A

Jorjeanne Marie narrates the contemporary first-person story of 16-year-old Ivy, flavoring her narration with a mild Texas accent. Stronger than the accent are the emotions Marie projects as a teen who's become pregnant in a town of megachurches. Ivy's shame and distress at unjust accusations are balanced by the wry humor peppered throughout the story. Marie presents Lorenzo, Ivy's steadying boyfriend, with a gravelly voice that makes him seem more solid as the two travel to Oregon for a legal abortion. En route, the pair see extraordinary sites and meet four women who counter the repressive texts and calls coming from Texas. The narration and writing give good dimension to the characters in a story that offers perspectives on women's choices, illustrating rather than preaching. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2023]