WE BUILT THIS CITY

In this middle-grade novel set in 1985, Stevie is on summer tour with a lip-syncing group. Jorjeana Marie is immediately likable as the youthful narrator of Stevie's first-person account. Marie shows Stevie's many sides with ease--stumbling and nervous around her crush, decisive and assured when her brother's epilepsy becomes an issue, and, finally, happily confident after a difficult summer of embarrassments, challenges, fun, and music. Eighties music is a theme. Listeners will be too young to know, but Marie's rendering of Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio program captures his style and cadence, and her narration of spoken lyrics provides the right vibe for each song. Listeners will be itching to create their own 1985 playlist after listening to this satisfying story. L.T. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]