O'Hara, Mary. My friend Flicka.

O'HARA, Mary. My friend Flicka. Read by Michael Louis Wells. 8 cds. 10 hrs. Harper Audio, 1940/2005. 0-06-089931-x. $34.95. Cardboard; plot, author notes. JSA 

This classic story of a boy and a filly, set on a ranch in Wyoming in 1940, is remarkably fresh. Ken can't seem to do anything right in his father's eyes--and choosing Flicka, the colt whose mother had a wild spirit, doesn't please him either. Ken is sure that Flicka will develop into a wonderful horse, and feels a kinship with her that will change the course of his summer. Wells's narration is expressive, and does full justice to Ken and his brother as well as the adults in the story. His vocalizations are well developed and appropriate to the characters, and he captures both the tension and love between Ken and his father.

A caveat: one passage contains material that adults might want to put in historical context for younger listeners: a colloquialism of the time ("the n-- in the woodpile"), expressed by Ken's father. Depictions of gelding colts and of horses being hurt are also intense. This is a well-produced and performed audiobook of a classic for all ages. Melody Moxley, Admin. Svcs. Mgr., Rowan PL, Salisbury, NC

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

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.