Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
By: Rebecca Tinker
Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
Release date: 01-22-19
Publisher: Audible Studios
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.
About This Audible Audiobook
The globe-trotting thief in the red fedora returns! And now, the question isn't where—but who? In the role of Carmen Sandiego, award-winning performer Kyla Garcia reveals, for the very first time, the backstory of the ever-elusive master criminal whose whereabouts captured the imaginations of children everywhere— through educational video games, animated series, and a popular PBS "gameshow" for middle schoolers in the 1990s.
In this novelization based on the new Netflix animated series, you'll discover there's even more to the story. More action, more details, more twists. And you'll hear from Carmen Sandiego herself how the mastermind behind some of the most audacious capers ever conceived became the best thief on the planet. Don’t miss your chance to learn who in the world is…Carmen Sandiego.
©2019 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Carmen Sandiego and related characters are trademarks of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and used under license. Published by special arrangement with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (P)2019 Audible, Inc.
Review:
Back in the 1980s-1990s, Where is the World is Carmen Sandiego was an edutainment computer game that directed the player to hunt down Carmen by clues that identified the country where she traveled. The game was focused on learning details of countries, cultures, money (yen, rubbles, pounds, etc), and identifiable landmarks or art works. Very little was known about who Carmen is and how she came to be an elusive master criminal. This story fills in the backstory.
The author explains how Carmen was trained in a thieving school run by V.I.L.E. (Villains' International League of Evil). Her teachers, mentor and co-students are revealed, showing the influence they had on Carmen’s development. There is also a surprise (to me) friend. It has been years since I played the computer came and I never saw the TV series. I have played the current card game with my grandchildren. This background gives me a new perspective.
Although I was enjoying Carmen’s upbeat character, I was a little concerned about the message her ‘training’ might give to vulnerable young people. Fortunately, deep into the book, a different message appears. I liked the dynamics between Carmen, her teachers and school friends. The story is fun, and I had to smile each time the phrase “who in the world” or “where in the world” was used. This book is easy entertainment and delivers a message that can be discussed by parents with their children or grandchildren.
Audio Notes: Kyla Garcia does a fine job with the narration. I admit I wasn’t enthralled by the voices but that is because the primary character, along with others, is portrayed with a teenage appropriate voice. I do like the audio book because it moves quickly for me.
Source: 7/5/2019 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.
