New Reviews: Children

Narrator Fiona Hardingham's distinct accent transports listeners to the world of the British aristocracy one hundred years ago. The story features poet Lord Byron's first wife and their daughter, Ada. Ada's active mind exasperates her mother and challenges her tutors. She meets meets her match in adult conversations and friendships. Intrigued by the work of mathematician... Read More

Dormice have all the fun. At least, the famous dormouse of ALICE IN WONDERLAND does, while also having some rip-roaring adventures. First, he is voiced by Gary Furlong--as are nasty weasels, a wisecracking cat, dancing cockroaches, an enterprising iguana, even more creatures, and some colorful humans characterized with an entertaining panoply of accents and personalities.... Read More

Actor and debut author Maulik Pancholy is the perfect narrator for this story inspired by his own experiences. In response to a bully at school, 12-year-old Rahul tries to prove that he is the best at something. While his family and his best friend, Chelsea, unconditionally support and love him, it takes some hilarious failures before Rahul comes to accept himself--a... Read More

Jorjeana Marie's narration makes it easy to believe that 14-year-old Beverly Tapinsky's grief over the death of her dog, Buddy, spurred her decision to run away from home. Listeners will enjoy the strong setting, lyrical writing, and careful portrayal of the third Ranchero. The story follows Beverly's literal journey as she finds a new home in Seahorse Court and her more... Read More

Marissa Czyz is the voice of the Mars rover CURIOSITY, ambling across the surface of the red planet. She shares information about how it spends its days and even sings its "Happy Birthday to Me" song. Czyz is an unobtrusive narrator, letting the novelty of the birthday celebrant steal the show. Specifically, listeners hear how it celebrates its birthday--stirring up a dust... Read More

Aysha Kala delivers an innocent and awed performance in the narration of Anna James's first book. Tilly, an 11-year-old, lives in London with her grandparents above their beloved bookshop, Pages & Co. Kala voices Tilly with the appropriate dreaminess and curiosity--and a fabulous English accent. Soon, Tilly gets pulled into the books she loves so much and discovers her family's... Read More

Narrator Bronson Pinchot uses a vibrant voice and even pacing to return listeners to Circus Mirandus. In this sequel, Pinchot establishes a quiet voice for soft-spoken 11-year-old Micah who, after saying goodbye to his late grandfather, is now learning to hone his own magical skills. Suddenly a new threat emerges from a powerful magician, his grandmother, Victoria, also known... Read More

Narrator Kim Mai Guest chronicles the lives of some of the top women aviators of the 1920s and their race across America. Using dramatic pauses to capture her audience, Guest weaves the stories of some of the greats, including Louise Thedan, Ruth Elder, Marvel Crosson, Amelia Earhart, Bobbi Trout, Florence Barnes, and many others, from their very beginnings in flight to their... Read More

Narrator Michael Crouch brings an otherworldly quality to Choi's story of a family camping trip just before the beginning of the school year. The featured soon-to-be first-grader is not happy about moving on from kindergarten, but his reticence wanes, and his confidence grows as the story unfolds. Who would expect a talking tiger to walk out of the woods at Mountain Pond and... Read More

Melissa Sweet, author of SOME WRITER, introduces this edition of CHARLOTTE'S WEB with insights into White's inspiration for the sweet story. Then, Meryl Streep and a stellar cast take us to the barnyard. She draws the listener in with a smooth, consistent delivery and unobtrusive interjections highlighting the emotions of the dialogue. Every portrayal of every character, major... Read More

In this touching memoir, Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, invites listeners to join her younger self in the year 1963, a signature year in the Civil Rights Movement. As Robinson recalls her thirteenth year, listeners will detect a myriad of emotions throughout the audiobook. Most memories are delivered in tones of fondness and warmth, while... Read More

Narrator James Fouhey gives life and heart to a group of misfit robots on a mission to save themselves from the evil AI corporation "uniMIND." Cog (whose name is short for "cognitive development") is a robot who looks and acts remarkably human. After an accident leaves him damaged, Cog wakes up in a lab surrounded by scientists who want to remove his brain. With the help of... Read More

Jeanette Illidge exudes confidence and pride as she narrates the early life of Katherine Johnson. A pioneering African-American mathematician who entered college at age 15, Katherine recognized the inequality of educational opportunities for women of color. As part of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, she out-calculated the computers while preparing for both Alan... Read More

In a tale full of magic, performed by narrator Merissa Czyz, tween Clementine struggles to keep her father's domain from destruction at the hands of a witch. As daughter and heir of the Dark Lord Morcerous, she uses whatever she can to keep their reign safe. The opening author and title statement immediately thrust listeners into the story without a musical prelude to set the... Read More

Enchanting. Laurel Merlington transports listeners to a time they might not remember--the time before Santa Claus had his "eight tiny reindeer" to guide his sleigh each Christmas Eve. Enter a storytelling doe and her curious fawn, Dasher, who delights in the stories of a long-ago home under the North Star, where the cold and white snow blanketed the land. Dasher wonders whether... Read More

Renee Dorian returns to narrate this sequel to SMALL SPACES. A ski vacation turns into a terrifying supernatural adventure for middle schoolers Coco, Brian, and Ollie. Dorian's youthful voice belies the sinister mood as the guests are snowed in without power and discover that the ski lodge is haunted. When a guest named Mr. Voland claims to be a ghost hunter, the kids think he... Read More

Phoebe Strole's youthful, upbeat voice conveys the cheerful spirit of seventh grader Sweet Pea as she narrates YA author Murphy's humorous story for younger listeners. Sweet Pea takes her parents' divorce in stride, accepts her imperfect body and her father's gayness, and recovers from the mortification of having vomited all over her classmates at a trampoline party. Strole... Read More

Narrator Suzy Jackson's youthful voice brings out the poignancy in a story that celebrates the joys of coding, creating, and trusting in new friendships. Although her parents are both talented musicians, new kid Emmy chooses a different path, signing up for computer coding instead of music. Right away, she realizes that coding is special. She is able to be beautiful and... Read More

Narrator Charlie Sanderson will delight listeners as she tells the story of now 12-year-old Bronte Mettlestone. Two years earlier, Bronte learned that her parents had been killed by pirates. In order to receive her inheritance, she was instructed to give a gift to each of her 10 aunts and to complete important tasks along the way. As she carries out her quest, she eventually... Read More

Narrator Imani Parks introduces listeners to Makeda, an 11-year-old black girl who was adopted by a white family as an infant. We listen to the challenges Makeda faces as her life is uprooted and she has to leave behind her best friend, Lena, the only other adopted black girl she knows, and also the only person who Makeda feels fully understands her. Things become more... Read More

Narrator Corey Allen's voice is soft but strong as he delivers this biography of Frederick Douglass, whose fortitude changed the history of America. Born a slave, Douglass discovered reading early in life and recognized its importance in learning and in making one "unfit to be a slave." Allen's precise enunciation emphasizes the theme of this work--the power of words and... Read More

Narrator Ramón de Ocampo's use of accents and emotions adds much to Rex Ogle's middle school memoir. De Ocampo defines Rex's Latinx mother and her stuttering boyfriend with characteristic accents, but even more by their anger, which goes from mean to menacing. His little brother's innocent comments offer relief from the frequent tension in the story. De Ocampo excels at... Read More

Narrator Catherine Ho brings the conflicted mountain region of Adranna to life, whisking listeners away to an icy tundra where few survive. Voicing protagonist Sabira as she makes her way up to the dangerous and revered glacier, Adarast, to bond with her very own frostsliver, Ho initially weaves quiet, indecisive tones into the heroine's dialogue. After an avalanche and... Read More

Cheerfully spooky music opens this second audiobook in the series about a lovable girl named Ghoulia. Sound effects of thunderstorms and creaking doors take listeners to the dark and stormy night at Crumbling Manor as Ghoulia's friends arrive one by one with a mysterious invitation sent by Auntie Departed. Confused, Ghoulia realizes that Auntie has gone missing. In a fun romp,... Read More

Narrator Ewan Chung tells the story of a girl named Sisi through the eyes of her younger brother, Da. The pair are trying to survive Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution in China during the 1960s. Since their family used to hold wealth and position, they are now struggling to be accepted in their community and are shamed because the old social structure has been turned on its... Read More

Listen to a narrator who transitions deftly between the different voices in a complex audiobook. Welcome to the seventeenth-century world of Maria Merian, born into an artistic family but a girl with the heart and conviction of a scientist. From an early age, Maria spent time in the field observing, first insects, then butterflies and moths, and also amphibians--all creatures... Read More

No stranger to the magical stories of Matilda Woods, narrator Stephanie Foxley whisks listeners onto an ice-capped ocean, introducing them to Oona Britt and the chilly waters she calls home. Foxley gives Oona, the unwanted daughter of a lauded sea captain, notes of childlike innocence in her voice. Eventually, her tone shifts to calm resolve when Oona's bravery and intrigue... Read More

Margaret Cabourn-Smith gives a mesmerizing performance of this exhilarating heist story set in Prohibition-era New York City. Vita sails from England to visit her grandfather after he has been swindled out of his crumbling family mansion by a mobster. Listeners hear her indignant determination as she bands together with a young pickpocket and two circus apprentices to steal... Read More

Always upbeat, narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson blends the easy-to-take and the harder-to-take feelings that young listeners will know well. Yes, it can be hard to say goodbye to a friend, but who might be around the corner? There are hellos and goodbyes that enrich and excite. Doerrfeld"s pairs are many--from sitting alone to sitting together, from snowmen to puddles, from watching... Read More

This earnest, quiet audiobook focuses on lonely sixth-grader Grayson Sender, whose typical middle school travails are heightened by the gradual realization that, although assigned the male gender at birth, she's definitely a girl. This realization is thrust into the spotlight, quite literally, when Grayson is cast as the female lead in the school play, leading to changes for... Read More

Music and sound effects heighten the atmosphere of each phase of a grouchy tree's life in this Halloween holiday audiobook. Narrator Nick Podehl's voice is friendly and comforting while delightfully playing up the grouch factor of the curmudgeonly tree on a tree farm who does not want to be a sappy Christmas tree. After the farm is incorporated into a housing development, the... Read More

Cheerful music and superstar Paul McCartney's beloved, unmistakable voice make this audiobook written by McCartney himself a joy for listeners of all ages--not least Beatles fans with children of their own. Spending the day with "Grandude" is a thrilling whirlwind adventure for four of his "chillers" because their grandfather has a magical compass that can transport them to... Read More

Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies introduces listeners to Ben, a curious and persistent English boy who's about to uncover an amazing secret about his family. Davies conjures a dreary London setting with a tempo that lulls the listener. Despite the slow pace of his surroundings, young Ben is voiced by Davies with excited notes of intrigue as he explores a long-forgotten museum and... Read More

Narrator Kyla Garcia gives compelling voices to biracial 12-year-old Edie and her family in this heartbreaking contemporary story based on the author's own family history. Edie has always known that her Native American mother was taken from her family and adopted into a white family. But she knows nothing more about her family history until she discovers a secret box of letters... Read More

Actor Mary Steenburgen's calm pacing is striking in this fable of friendship and tidying up. Meet Jax, lover of exploring and play, and Kiki, a collector. As Kiki's collections overrun her house, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to find what she needs--whether it's a soccer ball for a game with Jax or her swimsuit for a swim. When a household obstacle course keeps Kiki... Read More

The prologue of this folklore-inspired adventure urges listeners to "come close, nestle deep," which is precisely the response that many will have to Lulu Lam's spellbinding narration. Lam spins the tale of Lalani Sarita, a 12-year-old girl who's so determined to save her struggling home island of Sanlagita that she sets sail across the sea to retrieve good fortune from the... Read More

Narrator Fred Berman creates realistic fifth-grade characters in this eerie ghost story about two boys who are coping with loss and social anxiety. Josh Duncan is extremely nervous on his first day of school after his family's move to the Pacific Northwest. It's a fresh start for Josh, whose parents want him to leave behind the imaginary friend he calls Big Brother. Meanwhile,... Read More

Narrator Amy Shiels's light Irish brogue is spellbinding in a performance that captures the wonder of 12-year-old Milla, who goes from servant girl to dragon rider in this middle-grade fantasy. Orphaned Milla is elevated to the level of her wealthy friends when long-lost dragons return to the island of Arcosi and bond with her. Class and immigration struggles are close behind... Read More

Caitlin Kelly gives a compassionate, heartrending performance in this audiobook about a 12-year-old girl who is grieving her twin brother's death. Kelly's clear voice draws listeners in as Addie is invited to join a group of scientists studying pollution in the beloved Vermont lake where her brother drowned four months earlier, while searching for a mysterious, possibly... Read More

N'Jameh Camara narrates this work of historical fiction for young listeners. The story focuses on the busing integration attempts made in New York City schools in the 1970s. Jamila Clarke, Josie Rivera, and Francesca George come from the only mixed-race families in their upper-class Queens neighborhood. For the first time, the girls will be going to school with other students... Read More

Ten African-American narrators read these ten interconnected stories, and their performances are uniformly excellent, bringing the cast of characters to vivid life. Listeners follow the varied adventures of students as they walk home from school. In "Call of Duty," read by Kevin R. Free, Bryson stands up for a boy who gets kissed by another boy at school; in "Satchmo's Master... Read More

Sophie Dahl is wonderful in writing and narrating this enchanting story. When the enigmatic Madame Badobedah arrives at the Mermaid Hotel with her unfamiliar accent and mass of unusual belongings, Mabel, the hotel owners' daughter, is intrigued. Piano music and sound effects heighten a cheerfully mysterious mood. Certain that Madame Badobedah is an international jewel thief,... Read More

Who better than John McDonough to narrate Rylant's MOTOR MOUSE? He brings his rich, welcoming voice to three stories about a Mouse and his cohorts. Picture Motor Mouse in his little red car as he makes deliveries and rewards himself with a trip to the bakery on Cake Friday. Or picture him befriending the cabbie who drives him down "memory lane." Lastly, picture Motor Mouse... Read More

Narrator Megan Tusing's openhearted tone makes 12-year-old Ellen's struggle with her mother's bipolar disorder suitable for middle-grade listeners. When Ellen's father volunteers to fight in WWII, her mother is plunged into a deep depression at his absence, prompting Ellen to appeal to her estranged aunt for help. Early on, a stiffness in Tusing's voice reflects Ellen's... Read More

Ariana Cordero's narration is bright and expressive in this audiobook about a girl who is trying to discover how all her pieces fit together. Quijana is 12, half Guatemalan, and starting over at a new school. It's a lot to handle, even without her Grandmother Miller's illness and her brother Memito's concerning behavior. Cordero gives Quijana a voice that can flip between... Read More

Narrator Christina Moore puts her repertoire of animal sounds on display in this story of a new litter of springtime piglets. Mama loves all her piglets the same even though one develops characteristics making her unlike the others. Named Penny, she starts to grow longer and makes "unusual" noises and digs with her paws rather than her snout--just to give a few clues as to her... Read More

American Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad narrates her fictional story about new beginnings and family bonds. Faziah is full of pride when she sees her sister Asiya wearing the hijab for the first time at school. But soon, bullies have Faziah practicing early lessons of self-acceptance. Muhammad narrates with particular thoughtfulness when Faziah responds to her classmates'... Read More

Jim Dale and a full cast reimagine a classic story, giving it musical numbers, inventive storytelling, and lively characterizations. The authors return to spin another fractured folktale into a fun, creative romp for families. A farmer's son must seek his fortune with only a talking cat and a single farthing. Spirited performances add zest to the script and songs, featuring the... Read More

Joel Froomkin demonstrates, yet again, his impressive skill at narration. Cole Patterson is the son of his middle school's football coach. Listeners will join him as he takes to the bench, hoping to get into a game but often disappointing himself and the team when he does. Dialogue--fan comments and nasty remarks--and various players' accents add to the realistic atmosphere.... Read More

Disney actress and social media star Skai Jackson delivers her story of Hollywood fame in the Gen Z age. Jackson's plucky delivery lends itself to her empowering messages of self-love, especially in the face of bullies and Internet trolls. Jackson succinctly summarizes her early career and breaks down the day-to-day stresses of being a child actress. Her narration beams with... Read More

Narrator Candace Thaxton lends her unique voice to a feisty and unforgettable protagonist. Born with cerebral palsy, Ellie Cowan has always been wheelchair bound, but that hasn't stopped her from dreaming big. She wants to become a professional baker. But when her grandfather's dementia worsens, Ellie and her mom must move to look after him. Narrating in an emotional tone,... Read More

Author and narrator Carmen Agra Deedy's vivaciousness is contagious. As she shares the tale of the rooster who speaks his mind, listeners know she is smiling the whole time. The village of La Paz is full of song, but when it gets too loud for thinking, the newly elected mayor calls for peace and quiet. All is well until a "saucy gallito" arrives in town and challenges the... Read More

With slow, carefully paced diction, narrator Tracey Leigh brings warmth to this audiobook about a mother and daughter enjoying their limited free time together. Ava looks forward to Saturdays, when she and her mother go to the library for story time, to the salon for new hairdos, and this week, across town to a special puppet show. But everything is going wrong as, one by one,... Read More

Narrator Ron Butler brims with enthusiasm as he delivers this story about family, friendship, and the power of the imagination. Hans Dieter (HD) Schenk just wants to earn money to build a computer by cleaning out his uncle's basement. When he discovers an old pickling crock, he connects with the ghost of his great-great-grandmother. Butler delivers a thoroughly charming... Read More

Listeners are provided with the captivating and adventurous tale of Indira Story, a character-in-waiting who has a long-awaited chance to become a literary hero. She's finally been chosen to go to Protagonist Preparatory in Fable, only to find out that things are not quite what they seem. In a charming and layered story, narrator Nancy Wu brings to life a world populated with... Read More

Narrator Alana Kerr Collins's exquisite performance vividly brings this story to life. Patricia Reilly Giff's historical novel in verse uses sparse language to paint a heartbreaking picture of Ireland in the 1890s. Collins delivers Giff's eloquent language with heart as her Irish lilt becomes the voice of young Anna. We hear the loneliness in Anna's voice as her older brothers... Read More

Lively music and narrator Marisa Blake's bright voice will delight listeners in this audiobook about standing up for what is right. Sofia Valdez is a second-grade community helper and a welcome addition to Beaty's Questioneers series. Sofia and her Abuelo love to stroll their neighborhood together--until the day their dog charges off and Abuelo hurts himself in the city's... Read More

Kathleen McInerney narrates most of this story about homelessness, pets, and modern life. Kirby Heyborne impeccably portrays Baby, the loving and lovable dog owned by homeless Jewel Knight. Listeners will accompany the Trudeau family as they move into Hope House, join the endless lines for food and clothing, and try to remain optimistic. Twelve-year-old Piper notices Jewel,... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky brings listeners into the months leading up to the Romanian Revolution of 1989. Ileana's life is in danger in the city, so she is sent to live with her grandparents. With the Socialists in power, anyone Ileana knows could be spying for the government, even in her grandparents' agrarian village. What gets Ileana through the day is stories; she loves... Read More

Narrator Marisa Calin chronicles the lives of children, those who survived and those who perished, in the tragic sinking of the SS CITY OF BENARES, or "The Children's Ship." The ship was intended to save British children from the German air raids of WWII by transporting them to Canada, but it was torpedoed by a German U-boat while making the journey. As the surviving children... Read More

Narrator Amir Abdullah's rich baritone brings a thrilling mythological world to life. Tristan Strong's best friend, Eddie, died a few weeks ago, and Tristan has just lost his first boxing match. He's sent to his grandparents' Alabama farm to work off his grief, and there a tiny sap-covered character out of Anansi tales, called Gum Baby, steals his last connection to Eddie, a... Read More

For four audiobooks now, narrator Robbie Daymond has been lending his voice to the god Apollo, who is temporarily stuck in an all-too-human teenage body. And he has mastered walking the line between communicating the genuine trauma and tragedy of war and conveying Apollo's witty narrative voice--his gallows humor, funny haikus, and sense of godly superiority. As Apollo and his... Read More

An ad from Redwood Poultry Farms offers "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer." Immediately, narrator Kyla Garcia establishes the audiobook's unusual structure and the personality of 12-year-old Sophie Brown, who has just moved to farm country from Los Angeles. In addition to narrative, the story is told through letters ("Dear People Who Send Catalogs to People... Read More

An ensemble cast speaking French and English brings this graphic novel to life on audio. Fans of WONDER will recognize Julian as his grandmère Sara tells the story of his namesake, a boy from her childhood in France. In 1940, when Nazi soldiers arrive at her school to take the Jewish children, Sara hides and is rescued by a bullied, crippled classmate named Julien. Music and... Read More