The Casquette Girls

Gr 9 Up—Returning to her beloved New Orleans after the storm of the century sweeps through the city, 16-year-old Adele Le Moyne is stunned by the devastation she finds. Further unsettled by an inexplicable incident at an old convent and the emergence of telekinetic abilities, Adele is soon embroiled in a centuries-old mystery involving a clan of vampires and a coven of witches. A second narrative emerges with the diary of Adeline Saint-Germaine, Adele's ancestor. The two story lines are woven together as Adele seeks a way to protect her city's inhabitants from the cursed vampires, a decision complicated by her attraction to one of the members of the clan. Kate Rudd believably voices teenage Adele, a strong, relatable protagonist, though Rudd's use of accents is surprisingly sporadic given the number of international characters. She maintains solid pacing throughout, which helps keep listeners engaged when the story occasionally meanders. The city of New Orleans, and the French Quarter in particular, plays a vital role, and Adele's love for her city is clear.