SOLITAIRE

Sixteen-year-old Tori Spring is full of angst over her brother, her isolation, and her confusion about new student Michael Holden. Narrator Jayne Entwistle does a fantastic job conveying the drama. In her British accent, Entwistle keeps to a slow, even pace that reflects Tori’s disinterest in life, though at times a bit of excitement breaks through. As the story takes on many YA issues—including depression, eating disorders, and OCD, Entwistle’s subdued tone lends weight to these moments. In the midst of the disorder of her life, Tori is confronted with Solitaire, a group of students who are causing chaos at her school. Believing she’s the only one who can stop them, she becomes more involved with life, and with Michael Holden. E.N. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2015]