Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to (Not) Reading by Tommy Greenwald (mg) (audio reread)
Unabridged audiobook on 3 compact discs 3 hours, 29 minutes. Performed by MacLeod Andrews. Brilliance Audio, July, 2011.
Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to (Not) Reading was one of the last books I read during my book-a-day summer vacation. I returned to school just bursting to share it with my students. Of course, once I did, the book got checked out and I needed to purchase a second copy. Read my thoughts here. Then, somewhere around the Interwebz, I read that MacLeod Andrews narrated the audiobook. Now, he's one of my favorite narrators, but my thought when I read that was, "Um, Charlie's 12." I often have a hard time listening to grown men and women narrate high school narrators, but a sixth grader? I mean, aren't there kid actors out there interested in narration? (Actually, there's one at my school, who probably would've done a great Charlie.)
Later, I found a link to a "Library PSA" by Charlie Joe and took a listen. "Wait, I thought MacLeod Andrews was narrating." Not only did he not sound like himself, he sounded 12. I placed my order and listened this past weekend while I raked my leaves. Both the author and narrator pointed out that Charlie Joe would not approve of 3-plus hours of leaf raking, but I had a brilliant time. Excepting for my sore muscles later, I hardly noticed that I was raking leaves. I must have looked a bit of a sight to my neighbors though - laughing like a lunatic while making piles of leaves.
There is a teeny bit of irony in that by reading with one's ears, one is missing the point of reading Charlie Joe's BOOK, with it's short chapters (just seeing them surrounded by all that white space made me laugh) and his 25 Tips randomly inserted throughout. Andrews makes up for that with his performance. His comic timing is impeccable. He even manages to make his voice break. And, he embodies Charlie Joe's take no prisoners attitude.
There's an interview with the author at the end, where Tommy Greenwald describes Charlie Joe as remorseful, but unreformed...or was unrepentant in there as well? Charlie Joe ain't gonna change his ways. Andrews isn't afraid to belt out a song either, as he sings not one but two songs. PLUS, for your listening pleasure, there is a full recording of the song that scarred Charlie Joe for life.
Fun stuff. Can't wait for the next Charlie Joe book - Charlie Joe's Guide to Extra Credit. I. Need. An. ARC. Now!