War Of The World Records

Steven Crossley returns to the second volume featuring the Whipple family and their record-breaking achievements. Crossley is adept at assigning unique voices to a wide array of characters. The Whipples's competitors, the Goldwins, are especially well done. The father, Rex, bellows pronouncements, fully expecting agreement from all. His wife's barely concealed disdain for the Whipples is perfectly rendered, and her ridiculous cooing over the family's bizarre lizard menagerie is amusing. This zany adventure gives Crossley ample time to display his many accents. Let's hope that if there are sequels, Crossley will take them on. M.F.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

July 1, 2015

Gr 4-7-The Whipple family holds the most world records in the world, a record that is being threatened by the Goldwin family. Arthur Whipple is trying to earn his first world record, but first he must work together with Ruby Goldwin to defeat a pair of devious clowns who are out to destroy the World Record Championship. The two encounter every form of adventure possible, including murder and kidnapping. Narrator Steven Crossley does a fine job of voicing the family Whipple. However, the story itself is cumbersome and the overcomplicated plot is as clear as mud. Listeners will lose focus as the story goes on and on for 11 hours. VERDICT Even the most avid reader/listener will more than likely lose interest in this audiobook before reaching the end.-Jessica Gilcreast, Bedford High School, NH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.