Lionboy

Starred review from March 15, 2004
British actor Jones's sonorous delivery instantly enchants listeners in this fine adaptation of Corder's (actually the pen name for a mother-daughter duo) debut novel about an unusually gifted boy and his family's connection to cats. Charlie knows that his scientist parents are working on important experiments all the time. But he had no idea that their latest project could put them all in such great danger. When Charlie comes home from school one day to find his parents have been kidnapped, he begins a heart-pounding adventure during which he must save his family by using his special power—the ability to communicate with cats. He soon leaves the streets of London and gains passage (and a lion "taming" job) with a floating circus, all the while picking up clues about his parents from felines in various ports. A daring escape from the circus, with lions in tow, eventually leads Charlie to some new and influential friends who vow to help him in his search for his parents. Simon compels listeners through the excitement with smooth pacing and a rhythm that sustains the perfect level of suspense. In his command, the numerous bad guys sound appropriately shady, and circus performers take on vibrant color. And readers are treated to lion dialogue as well. The story is planned to continue in two more Corder novels—and hopefully two more Simon narrations. Ages 8-up.