White Bird: A Wonder Story - R. J. Palacio

Written by R. J. Palacio
Read by Hillary Huber, others
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Release date: October 1, 2019
Duration: 02:03:03

Inspired by her blockbuster phenomenon Wonder, R. J. Palacio presents an unforgettable story of the power of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war.

In R. J. Palacio’s bestselling collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, audiences were introduced to Julian’s grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio presents Grandmère’s heartrending story: how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.

Sara’s harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, “It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything.” With poignant symbolism that brings Sara’s story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by the book Wonder or the blockbuster movie adaptation and its message.

This full-cast audio adaptation of White Bird transforms the graphic novel into a truly original audio performance.
Audio Narrators:
Grandmère, read by Hillary Huber
Julian and Paul, read by Robbie Daymond
Sara Blum, read by Emily Ellet
Maquisard and Monsier Lefluer, read by Graham Halstead
Mademoiselle Petitjean, read by Lauren Ezzo
Jean Paul, read by Sean Patrick Hopkins
Max, Jerome, and Rabbi Bernstein, read by Robert Fass
Julien, read by Michael Crouch
Nazi Soldier, read by Tristan Morris
Pastor Luc, read by Adam Alexi-Malle
Vincent and a Nazi Soldier, read by P.J. Ochlan
Marianne and Ruth, read by Karissa Vacker
Rose, Sophie, and Madame Lefleur, read by Elizabeth Knowelden
Vivienne and Rabbi Bernstein’s Wife, read by Lisa Flanagan

An ensemble cast speaking French and English brings this graphic novel to life on audio. Fans of WONDER will recognize Julian as his grandmere Sara tells the story of his namesake, a boy from her childhood in France. In 1940, when Nazi soldiers arrive at her school to take the Jewish children, Sara hides and is rescued by a bullied, crippled classmate named Julien. Music and sound effects increase the drama, although it may be too intense for some listeners. For example, we hear the blows as one character is beaten, a wolf growling and a child’s screams as he is mauled to death. The sound of gunshots is particularly harrowing in another tragic scene, but this is overall a powerful and ultimately hopeful audiobook. S.C. � AudioFile 2019,