Zia

The ways of the whaling ships are brutal, and life at the Santa Barbara Mission is harsh. In spite of this, Christina Moore's gentle narration is well-suited to the tone of this novel. Zia is the story of a quiet revolution in the life and heart of a young girl whose spirit and gentle nature will not be broken. In this sequel to Island of the Blue Dolphins, O'Dell tells of Zia's determination to rescue her aunt from the island where she was abandoned many years before. The story is strong and can be enjoyed in its own right. The quiet and reflective voice of the narration works well with the text. Listeners of all ages will find this compelling listening. C.A.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine