The Kite Rider (audio book)

McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Kite Rider.
Full Cast Audio, 2004, 6 cds, $45.00, 978-1-933322-15-5.
This story of thirteenth-century China is engaging, suspenseful, well-done historical fiction with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot. The tale of adventure and betrayal and the lengths to which a boy will go to save his family draws the listener into the story immediately. This Full Cast Audio version does an excellent job of translating the written book into the spoken word. The characters are well voiced and convincing and the original music adds much to the story. It is an enthralling rendition of a wonderful book.
Twelve-year-old Haoyou watches in horror as his father is chosen to be the wind tester for his ship and then dies strapped to a bamboo hold cover. The ship's first mate Di Chou wants to marry Haoyou's mother and does everything to get her including murdering her husband. Haoyou must prevent her awful fate. When he begins to build kites to provide for his family, Di Chou then burns his house down. Haoyou is forced to fly as a kite rider himself to ensure that Di Chou is removed from their town. The owner of a visiting circus sees him and offers him a chance to save his family from poverty by flying high to earn money, fame, and freedom. They will travel throughout the country and perform for the great Kublai Khan.
This story of thirteenth-century China is engaging, suspenseful, well-done historical fiction with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot. The tale of adventure and betrayal and the lengths to which a boy will go to save his family draws the listener into the story immediately. Haoyou will grow from a frightened boy to the Khan's eye in the sky. When he finally returns to Dagu to protect his family from the reappearance of Di Chou, he is much changed and willing to risk all.

This Full Cast Audio version does an excellent job of translating the written book into the spoken word. The characters are well voiced and convincing and the original music adds much to the story. It is an enthralling rendition of a wonderful book. This is a must purchase for any middle school library that contains audio books. SO