The Death-Defying Pepper Roux

Pepper Roux has always been told that he's destined to die at age 14. So when 14 arrives, Pepper runs--first to sea and then across France, changing his identity and dodging the saints and angels he's certain are after him. Geraldine McCaughrean's clever and intricate wordsmithing requires a narrator who can riff and play and bring out every bit of nuance and meaning. It's hard to imagine a narrator being more attuned to the text than Anton Lesser is--he fully embodies Pepper and the myriad other characters he encounters. Lesser's and McCaughrean's considerable talents combine to create an even greater whole, and listeners are whisked along, breathless and marveling, on Pepper's grand adventure. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Starred review from December 7, 2009
Kindhearted Pepper Roux has been led to believe that “hildhood was a mouse trap from which he could never expect to escape,” his death by age 14 foretold in a dream. His maiden Aunt Mireille takes it upon herself to pave Pepper's path to heaven with daily prayer, constant confession, and rote memorization of last rites. So when Pepper awakens on his 14th birthday still alive, he launches himself on a sea voyage, intent on outrunning death. Mistaken for the ship's captain (his father), he is befriended by a compassionate, cross-dressing steward, Duchesse. Creating vivid characters is just one of McCaughrean's (The White Darkness
) gifts—Aunt Mireille joins Dahl's Spiker and Sponge as one of the Most Evil Aunts in children's literature. Pepper flees across the French countryside from one disastrous job to another—delivery boy, horse wrangler, deli clerk, and even journalist, which allows McCaughrean to wink at readers as Pepper complains, “Copy editors cannot read anything without changing it.” As his journey ends in a cleverly orchestrated climax, readers will root for Pepper to get the ending he deserves—a happy one. Ages 10–up.