Braced

Narrator Emily Lawrence captures the many moods of Rachel, a girl with scoliosis who learns that she must wear a cumbersome, restrictive back brace. At first, Rachel's voice is bubbly and buoyant; she's looking forward to soccer season and the possibility of a boyfriend. After she learns she must wear the brace 23 hours a day, the changes in her relationship with her friends and family are reflected in Lawrence's tone. She narrates quietly to denote Rachel's thoughts, which she gives a worried or acerbic quality, particularly when contemplating her mother's strictness. Nevertheless, listeners will take heart. When Rachel and her mother begin to understand each other, their voices soften. In the end, Lawrence imbues Rachel with confidence and positivity as she comes to terms with friends, family, and doctors. L.T. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine