Chicken Boy.

CHICKEN BOY. Frances O'Roark Dowell. 2005. Read by Stephen Hoye. 4 cds. 4 hrs, Listening Library. 0-307-24620-5. $38.00. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. J *

Tobin is finding the seventh grade hard. His eccentric grandmother lost her license after driving her truck onto the school sidewalk; he is suspended for five days after getting into a fight defending the honor of a teacher; there is never enough food in his house since his mother died several years ago; and his father just watches TV (and doesn't show much interest in the family) when he is home from his job. But Tobin finds a friend who enlists him to help in a school project about raising chickens.., and believes that one can thereby discover the meaning of life.

Set in Raleigh, NC, this story has a strong regional flavor, and Hoye captures this in his performance. All the characters are portrayed with spirit and unique vocal personalities. Students and adults alike will be drawn into Tobin's world and will identify with his problems. This is a warm and interesting novel, beautifully performed. Melody Moxley, Admin. Svcs. Mgr., Rowan PL, Salisbury, NC