FAMILY TREE

Young Tyler Stoudt recalls the discovery of her family's roots in this delightful and engaging story. As an assignment in Ms. Custer's sixth-grade class, Tyler and her classmates are to trace their family trees back several generations. But Tyler knows nothing about her family. She lives with her widowed father and has no idea if she has any relatives. Her father isn't telling. Finally, through her persistance, Jakob begins to tell the stories of his Amish family and of Tyler's mother. Montbertrand portrays Tyler with a deadpan, nasal voice that ably conveys the girl's youth and initial lack of confidence. The other characters are just as well portrayed: Ms. Custer is a no-nonsense matron; Jakob Stoudt has a gentle German accent. All the characterizations are consistent and credible. Children will delight as Tyler discovers where she came from and who she is. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]