Summerland

Starred review from September 9, 2002
Pulitzer Prize–winner Chabon (The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) admirably steps up to the plate as a rookie audiobook performer on this top-drawer recording of his first novel for children. The generously detailed story of young Ethan Feld's amazing summer adventure takes on vivid aural color via the voice of its creator. Though Ethan is the worst player on his baseball team, he finds himself the prospect of a mysterious recruiter. Before long, Ethan and two of his friends are spirited to a series of fantastic parallel worlds where they must rely on their baseball skills and courage to save the strange places they've just discovered and the ordinary one they've left behind. Along the way, they encounter small magical creatures called ferishers; a sensitive Sasquatch; giants; and a wicked, shape-shifting tyrant called Coyote, who kidnaps Ethan's father. As narrator, Chabon gives a confident, smoothly paced reading, befitting his familiarity with the material. But it's in the various character roles that he shines, taking detectable glee in creating dynamic vocals. His delivery of Ethan's dialogue is particularly sharp and believable. Simultaneous release with the Hyperion/Miramax hardcover.
All ages.

When he learns that he's been chosen to save the world from Coyote, the Changer, 11-year-old Ethan Feld begins a mystical journey between dimensions. Werecreatures (half-human, half-animal), ferishers (fairies that don't look or act like winged pixies), a sweet but smelly sasquatch, and some slow-witted giants who can't resist a wager are only some of the delightful denizens who populate Michael Chabon's first foray into children's literature. Chabon performs with the finesse of an accomplished actor, adding the energy and enthusiasm that come of knowing everything about his characters. As he blends the idea of interchangeability between humans and animals found in American Indian, African-American, and European folklore with baseball and contemporary life, Chabon hits a grand slam with this spirited, unsentimental mythology for our time. S.J.H. 2003 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine