POACHED

A playful musical introduction sets the tone for Gibson Frazier's enthusiastic narration of this comical caper. Teddy is an eighth-grader who lives at a zoo and theme park. When the school bully forces Teddy to pull a prank on the shark tank, Teddy finds himself accused of kidnapping the prized koala. Frazier conjures Teddy's moments of excitement and dread with a high-energy pace dotted with suddenly deflated enthusiasm. Large Marge's booming, grating voice humorously reveals her bossy character while more sentimental moments are delivered in softer, gentler tones. Frazier's fine storytelling and a solid story convey the chaos in the zoo, making for an entertaining listen. M.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]