Time Pieces: The Book of Times.

TIME PIECES: THE BOOK OF TIMES. Virginia Hamilton. 2005. Read by Lisa Renee Pitts. 3 cds. 4 hrs. Blackstone Audiobooks. 0-7861-8241-5. $36.00. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. JSA 

Drawing on traditions of African American storytelling, Hamilton intrigues listeners with the thought life of 11-year-old Valina McGill in Ohio. The stories, which are not discrete tales, have links that one might describe as letting life happen. They range from memories linked to slavery and escapes on the Underground Railroad, family history stories, and immediate experiences such as the coming of a tornado and its aftermath, a trip to the circus, the death of a much-loved dog, and a visit to a sick neighbor. Hamilton is so original in her use of language ("She was waiting for a tell to rise up in her"), so fresh in her interpretation of a child's thought patterns, that the book is difficult to characterize. She has a powerful, intimate sense of history and context.

Pitts narrates with crisp enunciation of the colloquial language, and has a measured pacing that allows the listener to pay close attention--a necessity or the meaning will pass by. Her mastery of the book's speech patterns probably make this a stronger aural than a print reading experience. Not for all young people, but some will love it. Parents can use it to introduce their own family storytelling. Hamilton died several months after completing this book. Edna Boardman, Libn., Bismarck, ND

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 advance students and adults. This code will help librarians and teacher working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.