New Reviews: Children

Dion Graham's skilled narration and singing, along with lively music and vibrant sounds of the city, transport listeners to the neighborhood of Tremé in New Orleans. A young Trombone Shorty ponders what it takes to be a good bandleader of his 5 O'Clock Band. Graham creates a high and youthful voice for Shorty. Listeners will discover valuable universal messages as Shorty seeks... Read More

Australian narrator Stig Wemyss portrays a wide range of characters in this collection of three short, suspenseful stories about children surviving unexpected perils. In "A Different Dog," Wemyss voices the increasingly fearful thoughts of a selectively mute boy who is lost in the woods. In "A Different Boy," his voices contrast a young orphan and the gruff, uncaring adults in... Read More

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

Narrator Rebecca K. Reynolds energetically conveys the spirit of this abridged classic, which is intended for young listeners. Reynolds's Tom is memorable when he slyly "invites" his buddies to paint Aunt Polly's fence. Twain's humor and sarcasm are deftly rendered, along with his story's sometimes funny superstitions, nostalgia, and old-time words, such as "confound it." To... Read More

Narrator Zehra Jane Naqvi transports listeners to 1942 India, where the nation's fight for independence from the British Empire is taking place. Ten-year-old Anjali fears her father will acquiesce to Mahatma Gandhi's request for all Indian families to send a family member to the resistance movement. When her mother becomes involved instead and is arrested, Anjali learns about... Read More

Narrator Jamie Cline leads off this D-Day story with the passion-filled voice of Dee, a German native who is a soldier in the U.S. Army who is about to break ground on the beaches of Normandy. It will take more than soldiers like Dee to win this battle. Other Allies such as Samira, a French-Algerian saboteur who is working with the French Resistance, and Henry, an... Read More

Narrator Ramón de Ocampo takes listeners on a journey to a mountain village in the Philippines at the end of the nineteenth century. Samkad is thrilled when he is chosen by the Bontoc tribe ancients for the rite of passage to become a man, but circumstances intervene as his remote village is thrust unwillingly into the Philippine-American war. Between their local rivals, the... 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 Emily Lawrence captures the many moods of Rachel, a girl with scoliosis who learns that she must wear a cumbersome, restrictive back brace. At first, Rachel's voice is bubbly and buoyant; she's looking forward to soccer season and the possibility of a boyfriend. After she learns she must wear the brace 23 hours a day, the changes in her relationship with her friends... Read More

Listeners won't look at the discarded things around them in the same way after hearing this poetry collection on audio. With a warm voice and a storyteller's cadence, Young People's Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shares her experiences as a self-appointed trash collector, armed with gardening gloves, tongs, and a bag. Nye's appealing and engaging narration style makes her... Read More

Narrator Dion Graham's soft voice evokes the tenderness between biracial middle schooler "Scoob" Lamar and G'ma, his white octogenarian grandmother. There are many other moods in this audio as well, and Graham succeeds with all of them. There's surprise as Graham's squeaky-voiced G'ma carries him off on a road trip in a new Winnebago, then sadness when he learns she's sold her... 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

Narrator James Langton embodies the exuberant fun and charm of three classic stories: "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle," "The Story of Doctor Dolittle," and "Doctor Dolittle's Post Office." Langston's tone reflects the heartfelt emotions of the endearing, excitable, eccentric naturalist who communicates with animals. Sweeping listeners along on thrilling world-travel adventures,... 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 JD Jackson delivers 44 short biographies of the most influential black Americans of all time, chosen by the staff of The Undefeated, a sports and pop culture website. Jackson's warm baritone makes an excellent companion to chapters featuring familiar icons, such as Barack Obama and Oprah, as well as lesser-known figures, such as Robert Abbott. This inspiring collection... Read More

Narrator Imani Parks guides listeners deep into the heart of a creepy ghost story that explores America's segregated past. Iris is the captain of her school's step team, and Parks gives her a light, youthful voice perfectly suited for her wide-eyed eagerness. After Iris and her friend Daniel uncover the name "Avery Moore" on a tombstone in an abandoned cemetery, the ghost of... 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

Ring in the new year and celebrate freedom with Bahni Turpin's lively narration and a Haitian Creole "kompa" beat. Ti Gran's warm, gravelly voice and Belle's youthful excitement place listeners right in the kitchen with them as they prepare a holiday feast. Listeners can imagine all the chopping and toe tapping as Belle learns about a culinary tradition with roots in the... 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

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

Narrator Kathleen McInerney loses no time in transporting listeners into the complicated world of 13-year-old Hazel Brownlee-Wellington, who is navigating a momentous time in her life. Not only is she leaving her best friend due to school redistricting, but she also is facing the impending birth of a new sibling following two traumatic miscarriages. Also meriting her attention... Read More

Narrator Noah Galvin's dreamy tones depict the introversion of 11-year-old Ware, who enters medieval worlds more readily than he takes part in the "normal" life that surrounds him. Faced with a summer of attending a chaotic rec program, Ware discovers peace and quiet in a deserted church next door. It doesn't remain peaceful for long. He soon meets the cynical Jolene, a girl... Read More

Octavia Spencer's soft narration evokes the lives four brilliant African-American females--Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. All were "good at math. Really good." This refrain repeats, with Spencer accenting these words to make clear the women's connection to each other and the gifts of each. She also stresses rhythms to highlight... Read More

C.M. Smith narrates this 1986 novel documenting the era of South African racial segregation. Thirteen-year-old Naledi and her brother journey from their rural village to distant Johannesburg to bring their mother home to save their dying baby sister. Naledi's voice is determined and steady, matching her decisive and caring personality. In Jo'burg, they meet Grace, who shelters... Read More

Series fans will rejoice to hear Robin Miles reprise her role as narrator in this third outing of brave, headstrong Caribbean islander Corinne La Mer. Having already bested the terrifying trickster jumbies on both land and sea, Corinne discovers that her previous adventures have angered the storm god Huracan and that it's up to her to protect her home and loved ones from... Read More

Author Eva Chen's voice is fresh as she narrates the story of Juno Valentine. What would you do if you went to your closet to pull out your favorite shoes and found something else entirely? When Juno finds a "cornucopia" of shoes rather than her own, she sits down to try them all on. The collection includes shoes that belonged to Cleopatra, Frieda Kahlo, Cinderella, and Serena... Read More

This production opens with the voice of Justice Sonia Sotomayor explaining in a straightforward tone that, like gardens, children are full of variety. Her own childhood experience involved the finger pricks and insulin shots of diabetes, which made her feel isolated and different. Sotomayor urges listeners to ask questions when they encounter differences. The second narrator,... Read More

Ron Butler lends expertise, elegance, and an unerring expressiveness to his heartbreakingly beautiful performance as King, a black tween living in Louisiana who is coping with the death of his older brother. When his ex-best friend, Sandy Sanders, goes missing and King finds him hiding in his backyard, he is forced to confront questions about himself and his grief. As the story... Read More

Virginia State Senator Janet Howell, along with her daughter-in-law Theresa, has written this collection of biographies of 50 women in leadership positions in the United States. Narrator Cassandra Campbell speaks formally in her performance of this audiobook, which examines each woman's significance and prestige. The women range from the contemporary, like Kamala Harris and... 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

Kevin R. Free narrates this chronicle of African-American cowboy legend George Fletcher, best known for his second place win at the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up. The audiobook recounts Fletcher's impressive riding skills as well as the discrimination he faced in the Old West. The poetic and precise text is well delivered. The audiobook's follow-up material provides additional... Read More

In a warm and instructional tone, narrator Suzie Althens explains to young listeners that heroes are praised for their actions, not their abilities. Althens brings Svoboda's stories about everyday heroes to life in this short audiobook, suitable for listeners both young and old. Her friendly tone and steady tempo keep listeners engaged as they hear stories about children around... Read More

Narrator Catherine Ho ably communicates the colorful characters that populate this boisterous tale of rowdy pirates, magical creatures, and swashbuckling adventure. Twelve-year-old Lintang yearns for a life on the high seas and is thrilled when offered a chance to set sail with the infamous pirate queen Shafira. Along with various magical beings called mythies and an all-female... Read More

In narrating Rudnick's novelization of the movie THE LION KING, Janina Edwards paints a beautiful verbal portrait of the Pride Lands, where the lions rule justly. In a voice as warm as sunshine, Edwards introduces listeners to King Mufasa and his queen, Sarabi, on the day they present their newborn cub, Simba, to the kingdom. Throughout the story, Edwards maintains a steady and... Read More

Listeners will enjoy hearing this account of Sarah Breedlove's remarkable business success during the early twentieth century. Adenrele Ojo narrates the entrepreneur's story with feeling, highlighting the challenges Breedlove (aka Madame C.J. Walker) faced and the opportunities she created--for herself and others. Ojo is especially skilled at creating engaging dialogue that... Read More

Narrator Candida Gubbins's smooth voice contrasts with the miserable life of a girl named Clementine, who lives with her wicked, thieving Aunt Vermilia and Uncle Rufus. As Clementine wonders how she might ever go beyond the basement room where she is confined and the dreary city where she's trapped, her brave cat, Gilbert, helps her find the magic and strength she needs to... Read More

Michael Crouch's performance makes this heartwarmingly funny story about gender and sexual identity accessible to tween listeners. Aspiring 12-year-old entrepreneur Mikey becomes a talent agent for Julian, a boy who dreams of performing drag as Coco Caliente, Mistress of Madness and Mayhem. Navigating school authorities, intolerant jocks, and insecurity about his own same-sex... Read More

Hats off to narrator Rachel L. Jacobs! Not only does she get inside the soul of a 12-year-old girl, but she also brings lilting Scottish brogues to a cast of unique supporting characters. When Ada Ru is whisked off to Scotland for the summer, she is anything but pleased. When she arrives at Port Augustus, the pull of nearby Loch Ness treats Ada Ru to a host of new friends--one... Read More

Listeners will enjoy being taken along for the ride as Newbery-winning children's author Paul Fleischman delivers reminiscences of his youth, especially of people and events that contributed to his becoming a writer. Also included are helpful writing prompts. Andrew Eiden's narration portrays young Paul as he describes traversing the U.S. by bicycle and reflects on what his... Read More

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo creates a soft yet determined voice for 12-year-old Jamie, who escapes his Guatemalan village in hopes of reaching the United States with his 15-year-old cousin, Angela. The pair must flee or be forced to join a local gang after Angela's brother and Jamie's cousin, Miguel, are killed for refusing. De Ocampo adds drama during intense moments of their... Read More

Narrator Bailey Carr establishes a youthful voice and Southern accent for 10-year-old Lola, who lives with her Momma in the resort town of Myrtle Beach. Lola and Momma have been doing just fine by themselves, but now that Lola has entered fifth grade, things start to change. She becomes curious about her absent father, an Australian tourist who left before she was born. Carr's... Read More

Narrator Ariana Cordero gives a fresh, youthful voice to precocious, straight-A foster kid Pavi Sharma in this feel-good story. Twelve-year-old Pavi is happy and thriving in her current foster family, but she hasn't forgotten the struggles foster kids face. So she provides a package of services for fellow foster kids, researching their new families and schools in exchange for... Read More

The young voice of Kella Kennedy that begins this audiobook makes listeners take note. When a mermaid daughter is disdainful of the task her mother has entrusted to her, listeners hear childlike disgust and disappointment. That task is to care for a single grain of sand. When the young one begs to help with something more important, her mother admonishes her that even the... Read More

Narrator Remy Hii balances humor and sorrow in this heartfelt story of new immigrants. Shortly after the death of their father, a baker, 11-year old Jingwen and his little brother, Yanghao, emigrate from China to Australia, where they bake oodles of fanciful cakes to feel closer to the homeland they left behind. Hii accurately captures Jingwen's frustrations with grief, making... Read More

A winning combination here--Mo Willems narrates the latest installment in his Pigeon books, and a musical score enriches the experience. The plot is spot-on for children facing the prospect of starting school. Meet Pigeon who, in his own estimation, doesn't need to go to school because he knows EVERYTHING. But when he's peppered with questions by kid voices, he becomes... Read More

Narrator Tim Gregory does a masterful job re-creating a legend who began as a comic strip in 1937. Prince Valiant, who has been exiled from Norway, dreams of becoming a knight in King Arthur's Round Table. In search of a mentor, he seeks out a number of knights. Most memorable is Gregory's portrayal of Sir Gawain, who is a patient, witty teacher with an infectious laugh.... Read More

Narrator Kinsale Hueston's fervent, youthful tones are well matched to Roanhorse's fiercely determined characters. Nizhoni Begay; her younger brother, Mac; and her best friend, Davery must embark on a dangerous rescue when Nizhoni and Mac's father disappears. She learns that the powers she and her brother possess are linked to the monster-slaying twins of Navajo legend. With... 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

With Spanish words and phrases rolling off his tongue, narrator David DeSantos immerses young listeners in the life of Mexican-American José de la Luz Sáenz. Luz took to heart his father's admonition to be proud of his roots and who he was. As a teacher and later when he was in the Army during WWI, he urged his students and then his fellow soldiers to do the same. DeSantos... Read More

Narrator Bahni Turpin brings her inimitable style to this captivating middle-grade adventure, which follows a suburban Oregon tween as she takes her first trip to New York City. While there have been video calls on birthdays and holidays, Amara has never met her grandfather and cousins who live in Harlem in person. Her father hasn't even spoken to her grandfather since her... Read More

Thomas Moran, a fifth-grade Michigan boy who is left to navigate a difficult home situation after his mother's disappearance, is beautifully portrayed by Tavia Gilbert. Thomas's mother had been a shut-in, due to her depression. When Thomas comes home from school to find out that his mother has gone away, both he and his father are left floundering. Thomas is guided through his... Read More

Michael Crouch's narration makes the most of the authors' inventive premise of caring for the stars. A boy named Kyro seeks to find his father, a Star Shepherd who noticed that too many stars were falling from the sky for him and his colleagues to rescue. After setting off to find out what was causing their demise, he disappeared. Crouch voices the subsequent quest that the... 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

As Lauren Fortgang narrates the story of 19-year-old Sally Miyake in a clear and kind voice, listeners will get a sense of her curiosity and intuition about the world. Sally lives in Sunnyside Plaza, a Chicago group home for adults with developmental disabilities that emphasizes independence and community. Sally may not know how to read, but she knows how to notice things,... Read More

Turning the prose and poetry of Orr's historical tale into an audiobook works well in telling the story of Leira, a well-born girl of Bronze Age Crete. On her first day of instruction in becoming a priestess, an earthquake changes the lives of everyone on her island forever. Rosalyn Oades's dramatic narration portrays the characters' increasingly dangerous situation, Mama's... Read More

Narrator Robin Miles is crisp and pliable of voice--and as upbeat sounding as the five Vanderbeeker children. These skills serve her well as she navigates the topsy-turvy, ever-changing world of the Vanderbeeker family. They may be rescuers, but they sometimes cause problems, too. When Mama's home baking business is threatened, it's the children who come up with many plans to... Read More

Music and sound effects abound in this mystery featuring a plucky young black girl who is visiting her aunt in New Orleans. Viva Durant investigates an article claiming that a secret treasure map is hidden in the words of the hand-clapping rhyme "Miss Mary Mack." Narrator Bahni Turpin pulls listeners along as Viva boldly follows clues wherever they lead--and as she does so,... Read More

Narrator Joshua McGuire lends his voice to the motley crew of a giant sleigh in this immersive fantasy adventure. Banished from his community for his forbidden song-weaving abilities, young Ash and his yeti guardian, Tobu, are taken aboard the Frostheart, a huge sleigh crewed by a colorful group of explorers. As the Frostheart journeys across the monster-filled tundra, Ash... Read More

Narrator Dani Martineck hilariously voices a multitude of extraterrestrial characters in this Odyssey Honor-winning sci-fi romp. After the destruction of Earth, the surviving humans seek refuge on the planet Choom. Choom's government fears that humans are too violent to live among them, but they allow one family to visit as a test. Humanity's survival depends on them, so the... Read More

Three narrators amplify the fun in this delightful fantasy about rivalry and teamwork. When the Orphanage School places second (on a technicality) behind the posh Brathelthwaite School at the Spindrift Tournament, the orphans furiously wage war against the rich kids. In hilarious alternating chapters, orphaned Finlay and privileged Honey Bee recount their sides of the story.... Read More

Kirby Heyborne's narration of 12-year-old Sam Castine's survival story begins as slowly as the fire that forces the evacuation of his summer camp. When Sam is accidentally left behind, he must fend for himself at first. Initially, Sam's voice remains steady, with changes only in speed and volume. Later, when he partners with the wily, slightly older Delphy and the pair face... Read More

Reynolds's beloved story is even more spectacular with Guy Lockard's narration and Sandra Hart's music. The tale of Jerome, a word collector, begins with cheerful music that expresses his excitement. As various words are introduced, the music follows the lead of the text--thoughtful as Jerome expresses respect for the word "wonder" and dramatic while delivering powerful words... Read More

Narrator Kathleen McInerney transports listeners to Russian-occupied Lithuania in 1893 in this historical fiction told from the perspective of 12-year-old Audra. McInerney makes listeners feel Audra's terror when her parents are arrested for smuggling banned books written in the forbidden Lithuanian language. Listeners feel the suspense building as Audra evades Officer Rusakov... Read More

Narrator Stephanie Willing's bright, youthful voice establishes the conflicts and complex characterizations in King's poignant story. Aspiring astronomer Liberty feels that nobody understands her. When a meteorite crashes into her backyard, it becomes her best friend. King balances parental pain and childhood confusion as the Johansen family weathers depression, divorce, and... Read More