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Podcast: Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews
Episode: THE TRYOUT by Christina Soontornvat, read by Grace Li, Vaneh Assadourian, Marcha Kiatrungrit, Ashley Austin Morris, Brian Sounalath, and a full cast
Description: Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the fun of listening to Christina Soontornvat’s middle-grade graphic memoir translated into audio. Grace Li leads the narration as young Christina, a seventh grader navigating a particularly intense cheerleading tryout—plus a lot of middle-school drama. Christina was the only Thai American kid in her small town Texas school, and she faced microaggressions and outright racism. Sounds of ringing school bells and squeaking sneakers join the full cast to dramatize the story, full of joyful giggles, frustration, and determination. The audiobook’s gracefully expanded narration ensures an immersive standalo...