New Reviews: Young Adult

Olivia A. Cole narrates her novel-in-verse about teenage Ariel, who is dealing with undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder and aloof parents. Ariel's days are spent working at a carnival with caring friends and warding off the intrusive violent thoughts she calls "the crocodile." Afraid she won't live up to her parents' or society's expectations of what it means to be a good... Read More

Merissa Czyz narrates a YA romance that takes place over the course of 24 hours. Darcy believes in love at first sight but has never experienced it--until she is stranded at a bus station and meets Russell. Czyz captures the giddiness Darcy feels at meeting a cute boy who actually seems to like her back. As Darcy gets to know Russell, it's clear they have much in common, but... Read More

Narrators Elisa Meléndez and JaQwan Kelly perform this audiobook about two teens in juvenile detention. Adriana, voiced by Meléndez, keeps her head down and writes in her journal to get through her short sentence. After accidentally leaving her journal in the library, Adriana retrieves it and finds that a boy has responded to her thoughts and written back. Jon, voiced by Kelly,... Read More

Eric Yang's quiet narration of this free-verse story inspired by history contrasts with the harsh situation in which 17-year-old Tai Go finds himself. A Chinese immigrant who is traveling with his father and grandfather, Tai Go is held at Angel Island in 1924, waiting to be interviewed so that he can enter San Francisco. Yang's soft tone represents the outwardly subdued quality... Read More

Narrator Angel Pean voices Jerusalem, an 18-year-old with powers that make her fearless. She hates the vampires that tortured her and joins the Union army to fight against them, even if it means being trained by another vampire, a Russian named Alexi. While youthful voices suit the teenage characters, a Russian vampire with an American accent and slight inconsistencies in... Read More

Joniece Abbott-Pratt, who narrated THE DAVENPORTS, applies a rhythmic, energetic style to this follow-up. The story features four young Black women from Chicago in the early twentieth century. Abbott-Pratt captures their determined searches for love and self-actualization. Ruby deals with rumors that unseat her, while her younger sister Helene struggles to modernize the family... Read More

Katherine Littrell narrates a mystery set on one of the Thousand Islands of the St Lawrence River in Upstate New York. After accidentally setting a house on fire, Marlowe needs to get away and accepts a summer job at a mansion where a historical mystery once took place. Littrell uses different tones to distinguish Marlowe's story in the present from that of the Ralston family... Read More

January LaVoy and Jesse Vilinsky narrate an absorbing fantasy about an annual hunt sponsored by a tyrannical government. Anyone the Allied Force considers an outsider is forced into a seven-day hunt, after which the family members of any participant killed are executed. Coa, who hopes to survive, holds a secret magical ability, rare among the dwindling population. She finds an... Read More

Listeners will empathize with closeted trans teen Asher Sullivan's dismay at finding himself moved to a Catholic high school for his senior year. His only escape from the school's Women in Christ club is a circus he escapes into in his dreams, in which he feels at home for the first time. The Midnight Circus brings him new challenges when his nighttime rival, Apollo, appears in... Read More

Rukhmani K. Desai fully expresses the many facets of 1992 Stanford freshman Gita Desai. Humorous sarcasm and success in her pre-med studies communicate Gita's intelligence. Desai also voices Gita's uncertainty about her developing sexuality and first girlfriend relationships. Desai moves easily between English and Indian terms. Her voice resonates as Gita wonders about why her... Read More

Narrator Eva Kaminsky gives this audiobook the respect it deserves as the author recounts the saga of the U.S. women's soccer team, whose players fought for an equal playing field through pay equity. Kaminsky clearly narrates with an interested tone, emotionally invested but never over the top. Every time she uses an accent in quoting someone, she does so with just the right... Read More

Author and narrator Huda Fahmy's graphic novel is adapted into a very funny audiobook with a full cast, music, and sound effects. Fahmy's rich timbre distinguishes Huda, a good-hearted teen, from her three sisters as they share a family trip, driving from Michigan to Disney World. Fahmy delivers comical sarcasm as Huda chafes at her parents' insistence that she bond with her... Read More

This audiobook continues to follow the thrilling journey of pop star Winter Young and secret agent Sydney Cossette as they embark on a dangerous mission in Singapore. Becca Q. Co's versatile narration creates distinct voices for each character, making it easy for listeners to differentiate between them. Co portrays Sydney's emotional strength and vulnerability, giving depth to... Read More

Narrator Janina Edwards inhabits Ida B. Wells, giving the determined Black woman a hero's spirit, an incandescent sense of her own worth, and a warrior's pride in accomplishment. In the 1880s, Ida was a teacher, a writer of articles for Black-owned newspapers, and an outspoken advocate for civil rights. Edwards creates a flesh-and-blood woman with a flirtatious personality who... Read More

Sarah Skaer's bubbly narration captures Natalie Nakada's delight at times spent with her best friend, Imogene. But all too soon, Skaer reveals Natalie's lingering grief a year after Imogene's death. Her feelings of loss cast a pall over her senior project, a retreat at one of their favorite places, the haunted Harlow Hotel. There Natalie hopes to film paranormal activity that... Read More

Andrew Bates narrates a clever story about a young artist who is confronting destiny while breaking free of the shackles of the past. Evan skips senior year to attend an elite art program at New York University. There he crosses paths with the spitting image of a girl he painted from his imagination. Bates imbues Evan with youthful brightness; he's brimming with optimism tinged... Read More

Christopher Gebauer narrated the tragic novel ORBITING JUPITER and now delivers its companion; both stories are told in the voice of an eighth-grader named Jack. Gebauer also reflects the silliness of 3-year-old Jupiter and the cheer and warmth of Jack's family, who are planning to adopt her. Gebauer expresses Jack's rage and grief as Jupiter's adoption is challenged by her... Read More

Narrator Troy Glasgow is a gift--a natural storyteller who knows how to pace this dynamic debut. Glasgow's acting prowess is on full display as his baritone voice seeps into listeners' ears--and into their souls. He carries listeners into, as described in this book, "the secret side of [London], full of winding, serpentine streets and back-alley bargains . . . It was the outer... Read More

Narrator Shannon Tyo delivers this audiobook's author's note, briefly describing Seal's real-life struggles with anorexia, clinical depression, suicidal ideation, and skin picking--all of which started during her teen years. Tyo tempers this opening with the author's understanding of and respect for resilient teens who currently face these challenges. Once the story begins, Tyo... Read More

Coauthor and narrator Lexi Underwood brings high schooler Jordyn to life in this young adult audiobook about the power of art. Jordyn wants a fresh start at her new school. But when an anonymous podcaster reveals intimate secrets about students, including a piece on Jordyn's past, she teams up with her new friends to take down the podcast for good. Underwood primarily narrates,... Read More

Shiromi Arserio narrates a fantasy set more than 400 years in the future. After a gangster destroys her home, Adya must work with a despised rival to save her sister--and the world. Adya has led a difficult life, and her anger, resentment, and general mistrust are highlighted in Arserio's portrayal. Princess Imral has led a sheltered life, and Arserio's portrayal is a... Read More

Adetinpo Thomas narrates the story of 17-year-old Small Sade as she leaves the orphanage in the magical city of Oluwan to find work. She accidentally binds herself to a powerful god called the Crocodile, who hopes Small Sade's Curse Eater abilities can save him. But all she aspires to is keeping her head down as the humble worker bee she was raised to be. While occasional lines... Read More

Sophie Amoss's engaging performance enhances this young adult fantasy about a world divided between those who have the signs of magic on their palms and those who do not. The disenfranchised latter are called the Markless. When Ruti, a frank and sarcastic Markless witch, is apprehended for royal theft, she is coerced into helping the haughty Princess Dekala in her quest to rule... Read More

Narrator Michael Larkin throws himself into enthusiastic theatrics in this fantasy-adventure. Unremarkable Marilyn Sparks is content just to listen to the exciting stories of her eccentric Aunt Zenobia. But when Zenobia entrusts her with a cursed amulet containing an ancient demon, Marilyn finds herself fighting for her life and the fate of the world. Larkin adeptly creates a... Read More

Narrators Gilli Messer and Josh Bloomberg team up for a compelling performance of this young adult paranormal adventure. Molly is a vampire, and Boaz is a young man who can see the undead. When Molly's girlfriend, Anat, goes missing within the dark depths of New York City, Molly suspects Boaz is behind her disappearance. To ensure Anat's safe return, Molly must work with Boaz,... Read More

Jen Zhao's narration of this silkpunk fantasy enhances the intriguing story. Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a master engineer like her father, but women are barred from the Engineer's Guild. After witnessing her father's assassination and receiving his journal, Ying sets out to avenge his murder. Disguised as a boy, she travels to the capital to take the guild's entrance exams.... Read More

Elizabeth Robbins and Jesse Inocalla narrate Anna Sortino's novel about two challenged teens. Robbins ensures that Ellie sounds angry when her boarding school for the deaf closes. Forced to return home to her hearing family and a public high school where she'll probably be the only deaf student, she wonders how she'll survive senior year. Portraying Jesse, Inocalla careens... Read More

This thrilling performance by Katherine Littrell will captivate a wide audience. Junior high schooler Gigi is engrossed in her friend group and her crush on classmate Mari until she finds one of her teachers, Mr. Ford, murdered in a classroom. When Gigi and her friends team up to identify the murderer, she uncovers odd mysteries surrounding Mr. Ford. In addition, the romance... Read More

Narrator Christian Barillas's youthful, expressive voice tells the story of 17-year-old Nico Kardos. Nico can't get over the death of his friend, Rosario. The story, written as journal entries, sheds light on Nico's feelings as he aspires to attend college and become a writer. But his ambitions are halted when his single mother gets cancer and the care of his 12-year-old... Read More

Jorjeana Marie portrays the innocence, resilience, and burgeoning rebellion of 16-year-old Jane, daughter of punk rock star Mina Placenta. The years of spousal abuse experienced by Mina are revealed by security tapes taken in her home. Marie's narration gains gravity and menace when Vernon, Jane's controlling, abusive father, speaks. It softens when expressing the tenderness of... Read More

In this gentle YA novel, Austin Ku voices the perspective of a high school junior, who lives in New York City. Felix Ma's college admissions coach (hired by his parents) is pushing him to create an Ivy League-worthy project to describe in his applications. So he works on his own film with his new friends, Gaspard and Cassie. While Felix is platonically drawn to Cassie, his... Read More

Art equals resistance in this dystopia set in 1991 America and voiced by Lee Osorio. Narrating from the grave, 18-year-old drama geek Max recounts the events leading up to his murder and those that follow. Osorio's rough-edged baritone modulates from pitch-perfect teen snark to deep regret as Max describes life under the huckster turned dictator whose purge of all anti-American... Read More

JD Jackson's deep, strong voice captures the confidence of Cade Webster, one of few Black students at his prep school and a talented football receiver on an athletic scholarship. Jackson's robust narration shows Cade's strong desire for fame, which would allow his family to escape a neighborhood beset by gangs and poverty. When Cade comes across a curious pawn shop, he buys a... Read More

With a wide variety of accents and intonations, Phil LaMarr provides an entertaining and meaningful narration of this powerful teen fantasy with deep messages about social justice and personal identity. Walker enters the Young Adult literary scene with this story of Darius Logan, who finds himself with the opportunity to join the Second Chance program of the Super Justice... Read More

Robin Miles narrates this intricate fantasy steeped in Nigerian folklore of the Urhobo tribe. Despite her traditional upbringing, Naborhi chafes at the duties looming before her--marrying a man chosen by her family, having his children, and keeping his home. When a chance encounter with a magical fox sets her on an exciting and dangerous new path, she must find courage and... Read More

The vocal talents of Victoria Villarreal and Skyler Gallun give life to former stepsiblings Kat and Liam, who are horrified to meet for the first time in 12 years at billionaire Ross Sutherland's birthday party. While prepared for their own parents' plan to run a con, neither is ready to deal with the extreme challenges of being drawn into it. As a believable teenage boy,... Read More

Guy Lockard narrates this fresh and funny novel from Jason Reynolds. Told from the perspective of 17-year-old Neon, the novel moves backward over Neon's past 24 months. As he prepares to celebrate his anniversary with his girlfriend, Aria, he reflects on everything that has happened since they first met. From work to school to family, Neon's life is average but warm and loving.... Read More

Listeners won't be surprised that Angela Shanté herself narrates this collection of poems and stories, a National Book Award finalist. A trigger warning at the beginning of the audiobook informs listeners of the sexual assault she writes about in several poems and the personal nature of the poems themselves, many of which were part of her MFA thesis. Shanté describes the... Read More

Deepti Gupta's narration lends authenticity to this young adult tale of Indian mythology and resurrection. Kajal, who is able to resurrect people, is trying to raise her sister, Lasya, before she becomes a permanent murderous spirit. But Kajal is captured by rebels and forced to resurrect the Crown Prince in order to restore rightful order to the blighted kingdom. When her plan... Read More

This performance by a five-narrator cast is truly special. The Fall children harness unique powers. Wynton can warm a room, Miles can hear dogs, and Dizzy sees spirits. When a magical rainbow-haired girl they have all seen once in their lives returns, she reveals her connection with the family, thus beginning a whirlwind of secrets that will either break the family apart or... Read More

In the 10th installment of the Undoubtable Rose Beaufont series, Dara Rosenberg continues to provide her lilting narration to its clever protagonist. Rose Beaufont must hunt Mater Inferni, the Mother of Witches, and then figure out how to destroy her without destroying herself or all of magic. As the title suggests, this is not a dark, foreboding magical story but one full of... Read More