Prom.

PROM. Laurie Halse Anderson. 2005. Read by Katherine Kellgren. 4 tapes. 5.75 hrs. Recorded Books. 1-419-3509-78. $34.95. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. JS

From the KLIATT review of the book, March 2005: "Ashley, age 18, can't wait to get out of her Philadelphia high school, and she certainly couldn't care less about the upcoming prom.... [W]hen her math teacher ... steals the prom money Ashley's best friend, Nat, who is the prom organizer, is devastated. Ashley reluctantly comes to Nat's rescue and helps her figure out how they can hold the prom after all. In between her job serving pizza in a rat costume at EZCHEEZ-E, minding her younger brothers for her pregnant mother, and evading detention and the school's nasty vice principal, who has it in for her, Ashley manages to save the day, with humor and flair... Realistic, funny and touching, this is a treat that will be relished."

Actress Kellgren perfectly captures the angst of this world-weary girl as well as the characters around her. It is bad enough for Ashley to have three obnoxious little brothers but worse still that her mother is pregnant. Her father is busy trying to remodel the basement so Ashley will have a room of her own and TJ, her boyfriend, is putting pressure on her to move into an apartment with him. The colorful personalities are beautifully portrayed with Kellgren's vocal skills, from Ashley's taxicab-driving father to boyfriend TJ. to girlfriends Nat and Lauren. The real scene-stealer in this audio, however, is the mother. Her pride and aggravation with her family are a masterpiece of vocal skill and whether she's whining about her feet being swollen or her beautiful daughter going to the prom, she carries the story. Kellgren imbues her with humor, warmth and depth. With Ashley's teen voice telling the tale and an assorted population of loveable characters, Kellgren is the perfect narrator for Anderson's book. Sally Tibetts, LRC, Maine West HS, Des Plaines, IL