One of the best ways to capture readers and listeners is with a fascinating viewpoint character. Here are some unique protagonists who recently engrossed me in their stories.

At seven, Edgar Mint is run over by a mail truck. That's quite a beginning for an audio as well as for the hero of Brady Udall's The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint (Recorded Books, $53.95, unabridged, 12 cassettes, 16 hours). Edgar's circumstances worsen when he wakes from a coma to find his mother has deserted him. He learns to find family in those who surround him, whether he's in a hospital, residential school, or a Mormon foster home. Edgar's "collisions with joy and affliction" are filled with odd characters, amazing discoveries, and the innocent wisdom of a young boy who finally comes to understand his own mysterious past. Scott Shina reads evenly, but puts proper emphasis on the sarcastic tones, the punchy dialogue, and the strong details of the author's work. An author interview follows the story.

We meet Paul Iverson as he mourns the recent death of his wife in Carolyn Parkhurst's The Dogs of Babel (TimeWarner Audio, $29.98, unabridged, five cassettes, seven and one-half hours) Has the brilliant and artistic Lexy, died of suicide, or accident? Paul is tormented by his need to know the truth and to communicate with the only one who knows - -Lexy's dog, Lorelei. Paul, a linguist by profession, decides he will teach Lorelei to talk. The extraordinary premise is made believable by Paul's naivete, his passion for language, and his love for Lexy. This could have been a depressing story, but the author weaves in talking dog jokes, linguistic facts, and effective flashbacks. Reader Erik Singer is a convincing Paul. He perfectly captures the curiosity, confusion, and questioning of the protagonist.

Kate DiCamillo won the Newbery Honor award for Becoming Winn-Dixie (Listening Library, $18.00, two cassettes, one and one-half hours, read by Cherry Jones) . She has a winning new hero in Despereaux, the hero of The Tale of Despereaux (Listening Library, $25.00, unabridged, three cassettes, three and one-half hours) . He's a tiny mouse with a huge heart loves a princess. Also part of the adventure are Roscuro, a rat who seeks light and Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who wants to be heard. Each character's desires, hopes and fears combine in a marvelous questing fantasy. Graeme Malcolm's voice transports listeners to once-upon-a-time. He is a marvelous unintrusive narrator who kindly helps his "dear listeners" understand the story's complexities. Malcolm's sensitive performance is a good match for DiCamillo's thoughtful writing. This audio is a great listen for families with children eight and up.

Christopher Boone is the hero of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Recorded Books, $19.99. four cassettes, six hours) . Christopher is a teen with Asperger's Syndrome, an autistic-like condition. He is determined to uncover the mystery of who killed Wellington, the neighbor's dog, but he unravels so much more! Life's overstimulation and confusion about people's words and feelings continually threaten Christopher, but he deals with both in order to learn the truth of his own life. Haddon blends fascinating images with one of the most original perspectives you'll find in fiction. Christopher, for example, sometimes feels lost in time which is "like being lost in a desert only you can't see the desert". Jeff Woodman reads with a crisp, precise voice, bringing out the contrast of Christopher's flatness and frustration.