Birdie and Me

Narrator Jorjeana Marie's mournful voice suits the story of Jack and her younger brother, Birdie, whose mother died in a car accident 10 months ago. After living temporarily with their irresponsible Uncle Carl, they move across town to live with their more stable but emotionally distant Uncle Patrick. Patrick is more controlling and less understanding of Birdie's gender nonconformity. He is also less responsive to the kids' complicated feelings about their mother's mental illness and their frustration with their current living situation. Marie's voice captures the young people's feelings of confusion and powerlessness, as well as the adults' different expressions of grief, as shown through Uncle Patrick's stern monotone and Uncle Carl's nonchalance and denial. S.C. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine