NOVEMBER 2010 - AudioFile
Twelve-year-old Goldie Roth is eagerly awaiting the ceremony of Separation that will cut the silver cord connecting her to her parents. When the city’s ruler cancels the ceremony, Goldie takes matters into her own hands, cuts the cord herself, and runs away. She ends up in the Museum of Dent, a magical building, with moods and feelings, that contains the evils of her beloved city’s past. Claudia Black conveys the action and danger that develop as the sly Fugleman makes further attempts to take over the city. Stubborn and brave, Goldie must band together with another runaway and the museum’s three wise Keepers, all voiced distinctly and humorously by Black, to save her city. Listeners will be captivated by Goldie’s evolution from downtrodden child to animated heroine. J.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
School Library Journal
Gr 4–8—In the city of Jewel, all danger and risk has been eradicated. Children are bound to their parents or a Blessed Guardian by a silver chain at all times to keep them safe until their Separation Day. This year, the Protector has lowered the age of Separation from 16 to 12, and Goldie can hardly wait for the ceremony. Just as she is about to be free for the first time in her life, a bomb explodes in the city and the ceremony is canceled. Desperate, Goldie runs away in the chaos and finds herself in the mysterious Museum of Dunt. The Keepers of the Museum teach her about its many secrets. The leader of the Blessed Guardians has also learned of the Museum's secrets, and he has a plan to use it for his own ends. It falls to Goldie and her new friend, Toadspit, to save the people of Jewel and the Museum from destruction. The cliffhanger ending of Lian Tanner's thrilling adventure story (Delacorte, 2010) will keep listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment. Claudia Black's narration is fantastic. She gives the characters distinct voices and uses tone variation and pacing expertly to enhance the mood of each scene. A winner!—Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, CA
NOVEMBER 2010 - AudioFile
Twelve-year-old Goldie Roth is eagerly awaiting the ceremony of Separation that will cut the silver cord connecting her to her parents. When the city’s ruler cancels the ceremony, Goldie takes matters into her own hands, cuts the cord herself, and runs away. She ends up in the Museum of Dent, a magical building, with moods and feelings, that contains the evils of her beloved city’s past. Claudia Black conveys the action and danger that develop as the sly Fugleman makes further attempts to take over the city. Stubborn and brave, Goldie must band together with another runaway and the museum’s three wise Keepers, all voiced distinctly and humorously by Black, to save her city. Listeners will be captivated by Goldie’s evolution from downtrodden child to animated heroine. J.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
