Ophie Out of Oz

Ophie has lots of experience being the new girl in school as she moves often. But the move from California to Oregon in the middle of fourth grade is almost more than she can manage. Social outcast Brittany Borg latches on to her, making it difficult for Ophie to make her mark in her new community. Ann Marie Lee's performance gives every character a unique voice. Her portrayal of Ophie is exuberant, yet one can hear her yearning to be accepted. Lee also captures the arrogance of the popular girls and excels with the voice of Brittany, who, in spite of her social ineptitude, teaches more about life and friendship than the "cool kids." N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

August 21, 2006
Ophie Peeler thinks of herself as Dorothy waiting for something big to happen "somewhere over the rainbow." But Oregon isn't quite what Ophie had in mind. She misses her best friend, Lizzy, from back in California; she misses how she starred as Dorothy in the school play. Now her only friend is sort-of-strange Brittany Borg. Ophie dreams of singing with new classmates Mary and Rachel on a car commercial, and soon figures out a way to get into their good graces. But the divas of the fourth grade turn out to be the Wicked Witches of the West, as Ophie learns about being true to herself and her true friends. Lee's fine reading offers listeners just enough vocal variety to distinguish among the characters and just enough emotion to emphasize charming Ophie's take on what's important in life. The solid production quality and universal life lessons here make this a welcome addition to any audio library. Ages 8-up.

May 17, 2004
After winningly examining the peculiarities of sixth grade in Agnes Parker... Girl in Progress
, O'Dell now turns to the challenges of Ophie Peeler, as she moves from California, midway through fourth grade, to a new school in Oregon. Thanks to Ophie's salesman father, changing schools is nothing new for Ophie, but this time around she misses her best friend and costarring with her in school plays. O'Dell begins with a flurry of fun details: Ophie thinks of herself as Dorothy, wears ruby slippers and names all her animal toys Toto (after she lost her stuffed Scottie, so named, in a move from Tucson to Modesto). The author convincingly develops the grudging friendship Ophie begins with a socially challenged neighbor, Brittany, as well as Ophie's all-consuming desire to be accepted by Merry and Rachel, who not only get the lead roles in the fourth-grade plays but star in a series of TV ads for Merry's father's car business. When a strange turn of events earns Ophie acceptance with "the TV Girls," she sheds Brittany; a rather rushed climax helps Ophie see the light. Proceeding less smoothly than the author's first novel, this narrative tends toward the episodic. But the exchanges between Ophie and her principal (who admits that, just as Ophie is Dorothy, in her "secret heart," she's Rhonda Fleming; Ophie "had no idea who was, but she got the idea") are a highlight, and children attempting to fit into a new school or classroom dynamic will identify with Ophie's feelings. Final artwork not seen by PW
. Ages 8-up.