Pie

When Polly, the beloved Pie Queen of Ipswitch, dies, leaving a will that inexplicably bequeaths her secret piecrust recipe to her cat, it’s up to her young niece, Alice, and her best friend, Charlie, to locate the missing recipe and help the town recover from the loss of Polly. This charming tale translates well to audio, with its lighthearted mystery and quirky cast of smalltown characters. Narrator Kate Rudd delivers a well-paced, entertaining performance and provides all the book’s characters with unique voices. However, Rudd shines brightest when depicting the emotional growth of Alice’s mother, who is initially bitter and resentful about the attention Polly received for her pies, but grows to learn that her daughter is a priceless treasure who should be appreciated and loved. Ages 9–12. A Scholastic hardcover. (Oct.)