Bloor, Edward. London calling.

BLOOR, Edward. London calling. Read by Robertson Dean. 6 cds. 7.5 hrs. Listening Library. 2006. 0-7393-3788-2. $40.00. Vinyl; plot, reader, author notes. J

From the KLIATT review of the book, September 2006: Martin is an unhappy 8th-grade student at a snobbish New Jersey prep school that reveres the memory of such famous graduates as General "Hollerin' Hank" Lowery. When Martin inherits an old radio from his grandmother, he starts having weirdly realistic dreams set in London in 1940, where he meets a boy named Jimmy. With the help of his older sister, Martin researches historical details from his dreams. When they turn out to be true, he realizes that he is really traveling through time, and what he learns ends up changing the historical record on General Lowery, bringing peace to an old man's life, and altering a number of lives for the better, including his own. Bloor, author of Tangerine, Story Time, and other offbeat tales for YAs, neatly ties up all the strands in this tale of historical intrigue and wrongs righted. Martin's determination and the vivid scenes of London during the Blitz are sure to appeal." Dean's deep, haunting voice is perfect for Martin's narration. His reading is careful and varies subtly for each of the characters. Occasionally I wondered if Martin was dreaming or was really traveling through time. Either way it makes for an exciting listening experience.

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

Jean Palmer, KLIATT