LOCOMOTION, written by Jacqueline Woodson, is presented in two-disc CD format.  The audiobook was unabridged at a length of sixty minutes, read by an adult male reader named JD Jackson.  LOCOMOTION is a collection of poems “written” by the character Lonnie Collins Motion, and African American boy.  The text was presented in a very clear, easy to understand speech free from background noise or music.  As all of the text was written from Lonnie’s point of view, Jackson did not change voices, though he did vary the voice wonderfully.  Readers are taken on an emotional ride not just by the text, but also by Jackson’s sensitive reading.  The voice shows excitement, boredom, sadness, joy, anger, and many emotions in-between.  The words go a long way to give clues to the emotions, but Jackson fills in any gaps expertly.  The poems are mostly short, and the titles are read before they begin. 

Together, the collection tells the story of Lonnie’s situation.  His parents died in a fire three years ago, and he and his younger sister are in separate foster homes.  Lonnie is a “good kid”, introduced to poetry by a favorite teacher.  Lonnie tells of the woman he lives with, at first making her seem not-so-nice, but showing more and more of her caring spirit as the poems progress.  Listeners hear about Lonnie’s school and some of the issues he and his classmates face.  They hear about Lonnie’s relationship with his sister and her foster mother.  They hear about how a tragedy such as Lonnie faced affects the life of a child.

  Lonnie begins by writing words and progresses to line breaks and other poetic standards.  This is the one element that is difficult to enjoy from the audiobook.  If the reader enjoys seeing the layout of the poems, they may do better to read the print book.  However, Jackson makes a successful effort to read the poems as they are written, and the different tones and speeds he uses seem so genuine as to be a part of the actual book.  Woodson and Jackson together create an audiobook that will grip the listener.  Listeners will feel like they have developed a relationship with Lonnie, and will find it hard to forget him when the CD is over.  They may even find themselves thinking of Lonnie and what might become of him, hearing his words in Jackson’s voice.