$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America

Edin and Shaefer’s book explores life for the millions of people in the U.S. living on less than two dollars a day. Interweaving statistics, reports, and personal accounts, they contrast daily life for the working poor around the U.S. They draw a vivid picture of the challenges, sacrifices, and no-win situations that many people are subject to on a daily basis as a means of survival. With a soft but clear delivery, Johnson captures listeners’ attention and maintains it throughout, always projecting strong conviction in the words she is narrating. She has a steady voice that provides the right amount of emphasis when needed and can smoothly transition into distinct character voices when required. She captures the sincerity and the seriousness of the authors’ words, which makes listening all the more powerful than reading. A Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover. (Sept.)