Porch Lights

After the death of her firefighter husband, shattered widow Jackie and her 10-year-old son, Charlie, head to South Carolina to visit her mother, Annie. Although Jackie and her mother have had a tumultuous relationship, the visit is a healing one, and the soothing smalltown environment and love of his family help Charlie recover from the loss of his father. In fact, Charlie is so happy in South Carolina that he doesn't want to return home to Brooklyn, leaving Jackie with a tough choice%E2%80%94one that becomes even more difficult when a handsome young neighbor forms a friendship with Jackie and Charlie. Narrator Robin Miles creates pitch-perfect voices for every character: Annie features quavering elderly tones and a strong Southern accent; Jackie sounds middle-aged and speaks with just a hint of Southern accent; the book's male characters are given suitably masculine voices; and Charlie brims with childish enthusiasm. Miles's reading is well paced, the story flowing along in an engaging%E2%80%94and uplifting%E2%80%94manner. A William Morrow hardcover. (June)