Morning Girl

Michael Dorris won numerous awards for this unusual and enchanting book. It's 1492, and Morning Girl and her younger brother, Star Boy, live in the Bahamas when Christopher Columbus discovers the New World. Chapters alternate between the children and are ably read by Eliza and Riley Duggan. Listeners learn how different--and the same--children are then and now. Star Boy disappears when he fears that he ruined the family's canoe; Morning Girl wonders what she looks like until her father shows her that she can see her reflection by looking into the "mirrors" of his eyes. The entire family mourns the sister who was never born. Both the Duggans are exceptional narrators, distinguishing adult from children's voices while conveying the many emotions in such a unique tale. All ages will enjoy and learn from this interesting period in history. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

January 10, 2005
Youthful brother and sister narrators are a great choice to interpret Dorris's novel, written from the point of view of Morning Girl and Star Boy, two Taino siblings living on a Bahamian island in 1492. A string of images of everyday life and the dynamics between family members introduce listeners to what this part of the world was like before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Eliza and Riley achieve a commendably comfortable level with the text, something that is sure to appeal to many young listeners. Riley's boyish, high-pitched voice and sometimes excitable tone is perfect for the classic "rambunctious little brother" role. In a brief epilogue (narrated by Terry Bregy), Dorris signals the arrival/encroachment of European explorers. The way this text and recording bring alive a lesser-known side of a well-studied bit of world history may well spark discussion in classrooms and family kitchens. Ages 8-up.