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Countdown Audiobook
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(3.03) - 145 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Fourteen-year-olds Elliot and Vincent live worlds apart, but both dream of a better life. Learning to run the Montana ranch that he will some day inherit, Elliot dreams of being an astronaut. In Africa, Vincent must deny his thirst for knowledge of the world beyond his village in order to become a Masai warrior. Forced to quit school, his only link to the outside world is a short wave radio. The boys find each other when NASA chooses Elliot to be its first Junior Astronaut. As Elliot hurtles through space over Africa, Vincent picks him up on the short wave radio. At first their communications, monitored by the news media, are fraught with misunderstanding. But as they learn about each other's culture, their friendship captures the world's attention and promises hope for the future. George Guidall's narrative expertise instantly gets listeners involved in this fast-paced coming-of-age tale. They are sure to absorb its inspiring message about the value of communication among cultures.
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"This is an excellent read for middle schooler's and I highly recommend it. What a great book in showing how completely different kids (culturally) can reach out and get past the differences. Because really, when it comes down to it, they are just two kids growing up. Really enjoyed this book!"
— Becky (4 out of 5 stars)
Countdown Listener Reviews
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" I read this book to help Jason with his summer reading packet for 7th grade. It's a good story, though I don't think Jason allowed himself to enjoy it, because it was for a school assignment! "
— Marie, 4/8/2013 -
" we had 2 read it for literature in 6th grade (easy read 4 sixth graders!) and my friends and i all thought it was going 2 b stupid but we ended up liking it! "
— Carli, 8/23/2012 -
" Nice little book about cultural differences. A quick read. "
— Ragan, 8/20/2012 -
" Talk about mixing cultures! "
— Mary, 8/10/2012 -
" I like this author a lot for children's novels. His writing is captivating and he tackles important issues. This wasn't one of my favorites from him. My son might like it when he gets older if he still aspires to become an astronaut when he grows up. "
— Tanya, 4/17/2012 -
" It was merely ok. Not one of my favorites but deffinitly an amazing mesh of two different cultures. "
— Schoolnerd=), 4/24/2011 -
" Nice little book about cultural differences. A quick read. "
— Ragan, 2/14/2011 -
" we had 2 read it for literature in 6th grade (easy read 4 sixth graders!) and my friends and i all thought it was going 2 b stupid but we ended up liking it! "
— Carli, 8/14/2009 -
" I read this book to help Jason with his summer reading packet for 7th grade. It's a good story, though I don't think Jason allowed himself to enjoy it, because it was for a school assignment! "
— Marie, 8/17/2008 -
" I like this author a lot for children's novels. His writing is captivating and he tackles important issues. This wasn't one of my favorites from him. My son might like it when he gets older if he still aspires to become an astronaut when he grows up. "
— Tanya, 3/8/2008
About Ben Mikaelsen
Ben Mikaelsen is the winner of the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award. His novels have been nominated for and won many state readers’ choice awards, including Red Midnight, Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, and Tree Girl. His articles and photos appear in numerous magazines around the world. He lives near Bozeman, Montana.
About George Guidall
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.