THE GIRLS FROM CORONA DEL MAR

There's an ordinariness to this unfolding story about two best friends who are growing up and growing apart. Rebecca Lowman portrays both characters with equal skill. Mia thinks of her best friend, Lorrie Ann, as more than an ordinary girl: In Mia's eyes, Lorrie Ann is beautiful and pure. Lowman's steady pace emphasizes Mia's strong identity, but moments of obvious jealousy come through. When Lorrie Ann's life takes a turn for the worse, Lowman deftly dramatizes Mia's attempts to mask her shock and dismay at her friend's life choices. Lowman provides a beautiful narration as two young women come of age. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2014]