Tall Story

In this story of a family caught between two cultures, a dual narration illuminates the dichotomy of realities faced by half-siblings Andi and Bernardo. Jayne Entwistle captures Andi's humor and youthful hopefulness as the story opens with a dramatic homecoming. Ramon de Ocampo gives a stellar performance as Bernardo, the long-lost brother who has grown up in the Philippines and who suffers from gigantism. The vocal contrast between Entwistle's British accent and de Ocampo's Filipino one adds to the polarity of the characters. Andi, the smallest in her grade, has big dreams of playing basketball, and Bernardo, at eight feet tall, is trying to find his place outside the superstitions he left behind. Like Andi's shot, you can't miss with this production. E.A.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

December 20, 2010
Thirteen-year-old Andi's brother, Bernardo, has lived halfway across the world from her since she was born. But the British Home Office has finally allowed 16-year-old Bernardo to immigrate to London, and he arrives just as basketball-obsessed Andi is struggling at a new school where the basketball team is boys-only. Bernardo has grown up in the small Philippine village of San Andres where he is hailed as a hero—often compared to the legendary, Paul Bunyanesque figure of Bernardo Carpio—yet is plagued by a past tragedy. At over eight feet tall, Bernardo is indeed a giant, a fact that initially freaks out tiny Andi (the family discovers he has a tumor on his pituitary gland). The story switches between Andi's feisty narration and Bernardo's descriptions of life in his village (and the mystical responsibility he feels for it) as well as his adjustment to life in London. Small details, such as why modern-day Andi
idolizes Michael Jordan instead of, say, LeBron James distract slightly, but overall first-time author Gourlay weaves just enough magic into this moving family
reunion to deliver an emotional punch. Ages 10–up.