Tangled Fortunes (Cousins Quartet) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Margaret Mahy (Author), Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | Series: Cousins Quartet

By the winner of the Carnegie Award. This is the fourth and final story about the Fortune cousins in New Zealand. Jackson Fortune tries to assert his independence as he grows up and breaks away from the shadow of his tough and adventurous older sister, 11-year-old, Tracey.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This fourth and final book in the series focuses on two members of the Fortune family, Jackson and his older, tougher sister, Tracey. They have always been a team, but their relationship becomes tangled as they both experience growing pains. Jackson is horrified and confused when Tracey rebuffs him and expresses an almost desperate wish to shed her jeans and t-shirt for a frilly bridesmaid's dress. Suddenly granted independence from his bossy sibling, Jackson has the freedom to explore a trail of rhythmic riddles that lead him to new friends and membership in their rock band. While these youngsters deal with their often painfully humorous struggles, an intriguing subplot develops involving their cousin's upcoming wedding and a mysterious motorcyclist. Mahy has written a well-plotted and fast-paced tale filled with believable characters who, though not developed in depth, stand out as individuals. The chapters are short and each includes a full-page black-and-white illustration. Possibly the best entry in the series, this is a delightful story that children will thoroughly enjoy.
Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Like previous titles in Mahy's Cousins Quartet, Tangled Fortunes spans a short time in the lives of the Fortune cousins, a close-knit gang of preteens, and this time Jackson and Tracey get starring roles. Although they are brother and sister, Jackson and the tomboyish Tracey are best friends. While Jackson admires Tracey immensely, lately, he's been wondering what it would be like to have close friends outside the family. Tracey, to her own amazement, is upset because she wasn't asked to be a bridesmaid at an upcoming Fortune wedding, and she's trying to appear more "girlish," with less than satisfying results. She also doesn't want Jackson hanging around all the time, and it's really unsettling for both of them. There are two mysteries to be solved, too: Who is the unknown motorcyclist prowling around the neighborhood? and Who is making the strange calls to Jackson and leaving him bizarre notes? With her usual skill and good humor, Mahy quickly draws readers into the middle of the Fortunes' predicaments and mysteries, then provides appropriate and satisfying resolutions to all of them. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Chivers Audio Books; Unabridged edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745173632
• ISBN-13: 978-0745173634
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,720,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand and is internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding children's writers today. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which have received England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She is also the recipient of An Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she received the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature.