Summer Begins

The Callahan Cousins, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Doyle Carey

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Twelve-year-old cousins Phoebe, Hillary, Neeve, and Kate are spending the summer at their grandmother's beach house. They have heard stories about the Callahan-Bicket family rivalry. Now it's up to them to prove that the Callahans are the best family on the island! Fans of the American Girl books will love these spunky girls.©2005 Elizabeth Doyle Carey (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Cute, not deep at all, a little lean on action.

It's a cute story about four cousins, but could be more in-depth and have more action. It probably would be best for a little bit older readers, but kind of lacking for adults. Cute though, and clean. Narrator is good.

A favorite series

My daughter, 9, and I love these stories. Just perfect for Elementary or Middle school aged girls. Each of th four books in the series is about one of the 4 cousins--girls, age 12--who have realistic life experiences and grow in understanding of each other and the world with the thoughtful guidance of their grandmother. These books have age appropriate themes that circle back to basic good morals and how it is best to be yourself and be kind. The narrator is absolutely excellent. Perfectly wonderful to listen to--good character voices that add to the story and never detract in any way. Can't recommend this series enough. We are on our third and have enjoyed every minutes. Fun, laughter, sweet times, sad times and even some fun suspense about how the problems will all work out in the end. Nothing scary or overly sensational.

Loved this!

I first listened as a middle school age kid and I have to say, that's probably the best age group for this story. I liked the enemy to friends plot, which stood out to me when I first listened. I returned to relisten over a decade later because I missed the delightful cozy coastal vibes. This kind of story now reminds me of my own childhood experiences at my grandmother's cabin on the lake.

Better for older kids

This was another book that I purchased for my 6-year old daughter. I am afraid that she never really got into it, and after about 1 hour she asked me to stop playing it. I don't thins that this book is really meant for younger children. I don't mean to say that it is inappropriate for younger children. I just think that the beginning starts a little slow for them and it is hard for them to become engaged with the story. Also, the main theme of the book for the first hour is a 12-year old girl coping with the emotional aftermath of her parents separation and recent divorce. Topics that are just a little heady for a 6-year old who has not yet contemplated, nor probably wants to, such a situation. The performance of the narrator is adequate, and the writing is actually not bad, the story was just not for my daughter. But I could see how older children, especially those who are coping with their own parents divorce, might actually really like this book.