New Reviews: Children

Narrator Will Collyer brings realistic emotion to this creepy audiobook about a terrifying plague. Ben, 11, and his brother Pete, 12, witness the first of many mysterious, random storms that are turning people all over the world into obsidian glass statues. The two brothers then make very different attempts to try to avert impending doom. While Ben thinks that birds are... Read More

Kevin T. Collins's even pacing makes this scientific history easy to follow. After building his own microscope in 1674, Antony van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of tiny moving creatures in lake water stunned the scientists of his day and led to the field of microbiology. Collins narrates the story in an accessible, lively way, portraying Antony's patient, diligent work over 50 years... Read More

Taylor Meskimen portrays Ollie, a 12-year-old living in gritty downtown New York City in 1981 with her parents, who are artists. When her father mysteriously leaves their family, her mother spirals into depression and neglects Ollie. Fending for herself, Ollie is afraid to tell the truth to anyone who could help her. Finally, her friend Alex tells a grown-up--their parents'... Read More

Lively music and narrator Adriana Sananes's rich voice bring Latin flair to this audiobook about a Hispanic-American girl with a too long name. Each one of Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela's six names has a story. Her father tells Alma about the people she's been named after, including a book lover, a traveler, an artist, a deeply spiritual woman, and an activist. Alma's... Read More

Music and sound effects immerse listeners in an audiobook that blends true history and outrageous adventure. In the fourth addition to Sheinkin's Time Twisters series, Abby's glasses get mixed up with Amelia Earhart's goggles, and she and her brother, Doc, travel back in time to 1932. After they meet Earhart, the three take an unexpected time-travel detour to the ancient... Read More

Narrator Ali Andre Ali captures the voice of Matt Baker, a young baseball player who aspires to improve his game and to inspire his teammates to do the same. In order to be successful, he must find the right words to help his teammate Ben rework his swing. Even when Matt finds the words, he has a difficult time saying them aloud since he stutters at times, especially when he's... Read More

Narrator Amielynn Abellera establishes a spirited voice for fourth-grader Rebecca, a city girl whose family is about to move to Blackberry Farm. Rebecca cannot wait to be a country kid--however, once they arrive, she struggles to make friends. So she changes her name to Becket and makes a list of ways to adapt to country life. As Becket meets her new neighbors and tries to win... Read More

Voicing an earthworm is no easy task! Narrator Adam Grupper deserves applause for the majestic, mysterious, and wonder-filled voice he provides Carl as he seeks his purpose in life. It is the field mouse who inspires his quest by asking Carl what he does and causing him to leave his munching and casting and making the soil soft and fluffy. Grupper's Carl is ever purposeful,... Read More

Narrator Amy Enticknap portrays the innocence of a child in the 1920s. Mona and her aunt live in a small cottage on the Somerset estate. When Lady Somerset dies, questions arise as a new family member inherits the house. Enticknap uses her voice tone well to depict the curiosity, disappointment, and giddiness of a 10-year-old. Mona and the other characters are given... Read More

Narrator Paris Rosenthal brings to life the advice of her late mother, a writer and independent filmmaker. The audiobook is written in the format of a letter to the listener. Rosenthal sounds light and earnest as she offers widely varied suggestions for being one's own person: Acknowledge your unique looks, share your thoughts, ask questions, find others who are like or unlike... Read More

Narrator L.J. Ganser's journalistic tone makes listeners feel like they are hearing a thrilling live broadcast of each of these 12 exciting and sometimes harrowing space missions. He brings us behind the scenes of Mission Control, and even into the cockpit of some of the most infamous space missions in history--from APOLLO 13 to the 1986 Space Shuttle CHALLENGER explosion.... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky establishes a youthful voice for Louisiana, Louisa for short, who is spending the summer on Deer Island with her grandparents while her parents go on a bird-watching excursion. Upon arrival, Louisa notices that her grandfather is losing his vision, which will eventually prevent him from driving, one of his passions. She also begins to notice George, a... Read More

Listeners will need to tune their ears to eighteenth-century speech as they hear the travails of Oliver Cromwell Pitts, a 12-year-old convict, as his journeys take him from England to America. In Avi's second Oliver tale, hardship greets the young hero at every turn--from the harrowing sea crossing to the specter of seven years of indentured servitude on a tobacco farm to life... Read More

Graham Halstead narrates this story of a family's trip to attend the decidedly quirky funeral of Papa Kwirk. Rion Kwirk considers himself a regular kid in a weird family. Halstead differentiates his thoughts and utterances with contrasting voices--his thoughts are more humorously sarcastic. When Rion meets an attractive girl, however, Halstead delivers his spoken words with... Read More

Lisa Flanagan welcomes listeners back to the Endling world with her second narration in this series. She meets the challenge of new characters and maintains fluidity and connection with those listeners already know. The main character, Byx, who recounts the adventure, believes herself to be an endling--the last of her species. Flanagan gives her a range of tones that express... Read More

As this sequel to DACTYL HILL SQUAD opens, listeners find dinosaur wrangler Magadalys Roca and her team of pterodactyl-riding orphans en route from Brooklyn to New Orleans, where they hope to learn the fate of Magadalys's brother, a wounded Union soldier. Returning narrator Channie Waites brings boundless energy to this uncommonly nuanced Civil War story. Before the team... Read More

Fourteen stellar narrators each read one short story in this anthology by a diverse group of authors. The fictional stories all feature ordinary young people performing extraordinary acts of kindness and friendship. Some are large and heroic, and some are seemingly small but still meaningful. Most memorable is "Reina Madrid" by R.J. Palacio, in which narrator Frankie Corzo... Read More

Young listeners will enjoy this audio picture book featuring a high-five competition held once a year. Chock-full of advice for potential contenders, author Adam Rubin narrates with energy and excitement. From the opening notes, the background sounds impeccably match the text, adding an additional layer of enjoyment to the listening experience. Doing a creditable job of... Read More

Author and narrator Jane Yolen brings another of her dinosaur escapades to life. Young listeners may be shocked or perplexed as dinosaurs mistreat books by chewing them, tossing them, and jumping on them but then will be treated to demonstrations of proper book care and the joy of sounding out words and making sense of them. At bedtime, Yolen's spot-on characterization shines... Read More

Narrator John Keating drops listeners right into the heart of London during WWII in this historical mystery. Bertie Bradshaw is a civil defense volunteer whose job is to bring citizens to safety during air raids. When he finds a secret spy notebook, dropped by an American girl, he becomes intrigued and tries to find out more about its owner and how to decipher the code in the... Read More

Spritely music introduces poet Kwame Alexander's ode to the joys of reading for the youngest listeners. In a friendly and enthusiastic voice, Alexander compares opening a book to peeling a clementine: "Next, dig your thumb at the bottom of each juicy section and pop the words out." The short poem rewards repeat listening to tease out all of the meaning and imagery, and... Read More

Narrator Karissa Vacker memorably introduces Aven Green, an inspiring 12-year-old who was born without arms. As her adoptive family moves from familiar Kansas to Stagecoach Pass Park in Arizona, Aven is worried about fitting in. When classmate Connor "barks" at her, she thinks he's mocking her, but she soon learns he has Tourette's syndrome. Each character is realistically... Read More

Fifth grader Robinson Hart is angry, and narrator Cassandra Morris does an excellent job of portraying the fear and sadness fueling that anger. Robbie has never known any other family beyond her beloved grandfather, and now his memory is "getting tired." Worrying about Grandpa and what might happen if grown-ups discover he's no longer able to take care of her, Robbie loses her... Read More

Narrator Sullivan Jones captures the playfulness of this story, the poetry of its rhythms, and the emotions of its characters. The author of this audiobook proves himself the king of metaphors as he describes the joy and confidence of a boy on his first day of kindergarten. There's a sadness in the mother whose "baby is going to school" and a wistfulness in the father who sees... Read More

Narrator Rosie Jones establishes a determined and dramatic voice with a lovely British accent for Lily, an aspiring actress who dreams of playing Beth in LITTLE WOMEN while a student at the Shine School for the Performing Arts. Lily struggles to stay focused on her passion for theater while facing mounting career pressure from her mother, a successful actress with a deep voice... Read More

Amielynn Abellera touchingly portrays 12-year-old Lizzie St. Claire as she adapts to challenges when her dad goes to jail. Lizzie and her supportive mother move into Good Hope's temporary housing. As Lizzie grieves for her old life, she notices Birchwood Stables and hopes to make her dream of having a horse come true. Well-realized descriptions of diverse settings are vivid,... Read More

Driving rock music sets the scene for this gripping audiobook set in a bleak dystopian world. Maximillian Fly looks like a human-sized cockroach, but his gentle voice reflects his sensitive nature. When he harbors two children who are running from the oppressive government forces that killed their parents, his quiet life takes an adventurous turn. All the narrators in the... Read More

Narrator Ariana Delawari's childlike pitch and pacing perfectly capture the magical realism of this delicious spin on Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Eleven-year-old Mimi wants to win the baking contest being held by the interesting new bakery in town. While seeking inspiration in the woods, she meets a boy from India who shows her edible flowers and herbs, which she... Read More

Narrator Chloe Cannon's Southern accent enhances this sweet story of contemporary friendship on an island off the coast of South Carolina. After a life-saving heart transplant, 12-year-old Sunny is ready to reinvent herself, starting with finding a new best friend and then kissing a boy. Sunny's engaging personality shines brightly through Cannon's narration. She gives Sunny's... Read More

As the sun rises on a bevy of construction vehicles poised to undertake a new and large job, Dion Graham is just the narrator to get in on the fun. With precise diction and steady pacing, Graham lets the rhyming text carry listeners into the action-packed day. His cement mixer lets out a BLAST to summon helper trucks, who respond with enthusiastic honks. Work begins with pairs... Read More

Jesse Bernstein returns to narrate the exploits of Kyle Keely and his band of puzzle-solving, book-loving, code-cracking middle schoolers as they take on legendary game maker Mr. Lemoncello's technologically magnificent library challenge. The cast of characters in this audiobook series varies in nationality, gender, and age. Bernstein deftly shifts between being an angry boy, a... Read More

Author Jesselyn Silva narrates her own audiobook in which she describes her career as a young female boxer who is making her way in a predominantly male field. Listeners will hear Jess's experiences in her own voice as she outlines years of training and honors those who helped her along the way--from encouraging teammates and coaches to her supportive and hardworking father.... Read More

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo fills this story with cartoonish voices and an astounding array of fart noises that are sure to thrill middle-grade fans of crude humor. Oddonis, Adonis's plain twin brother, is optimistic on his first day at Olympus Middle School, but the schoolyard cruelty of his god classmates squashes his hopes. With a band of misfit friends, he challenges his... Read More

Narrator Vaneh Assadourian's rich, lilting voice underscores the lyricism of this audiobook spoken in verse. She gives sonorous dignity to the Muslim family featured in the story. Twelve-year-old Jude is an ordinary girl who loves her family, her home in Syria, and American movies--but as war comes closer, her pregnant mother decides it is not safe to stay there. Jude and her... Read More

Narrator Kathleen McInerney memorably portrays both adult and child characters in this compassionate audiobook. She particularly shines as the misfit protagonist, Cove, an emotionally intelligent middle schooler living on Martha's Vineyard. Cove is heartbroken when her best friend, Nina, moves off the island, leaving Cove on her own in dealing with the mean girls at school.... Read More

Narrator Jennifer Ikeda perfectly captures the confusion of a girl displaced by war and hardship. For years, the only home Japanese-American Hanako has known is an internment camp. When she and her family are released at the end of WWII, they decide to renounce their American citizenship and return to her father's birthplace near Hiroshima, where they face uncertainty about... Read More

Narrator Heather Simms gives a captivating performance of Katherine Johnson's inspiring life story. At age 4, Katherine was helping her older brother with his schoolwork, and by age 18, she had graduated from college with degrees in mathematics and French. In describing her parents' struggles and sacrifices to educate all their children, Johnson describes the impact that... Read More

Narrator Damian Lynch provides a credible accent for Shif, a 14-year-old boy from a war-torn country, presumably Africa or the Middle East. Lynch sweeps listeners into this story of a young teen who is kidnapped from a happy home by soldiers. The grim, desperate tone Lynch uses as he describes Shif's determination to escape his imprisonment alternates with with lighter moments... Read More

Graham Halstead skillfully narrates this audiobook full of quirky characters and wacky scenes reminiscent of Roald Dahl. Walter Mortinson is a 12-year old inventor who is struggling within the confines of the bland factory town of Moormouth. He and his friend, Cordelia, decide to run away, and the two embark on a wild road trip to find Walter's hero, the famed inventor... Read More

Author/narrator Peter H. Reynolds encourages each of his young listeners to find their voice, as even a single voice can make an impact on the world. This audiobook is beautifully narrated by the writer, with some help from a few children. The gentle, melodious music that accompanies each section harmonizes with the fluid tones of the text, enhancing the audiobook's message.... Read More

Narrator Kathleen McInerney's bright, youthful tones are well matched to Greenland's exuberant group of middle school best friends--the Scouts. Annie and her best friends, Fynn, Beans, and Rocky, are heading out on their annual summer camping trip, but this year something feels different. As new kids join the excursion and a meteor shower takes an unusual turn, listeners follow... Read More

Narrator Lisa Cordileone convincingly portrays both tween and adult characters, immersing listeners in the timeless story of Delsie, her grandmother, and their neighbors, who live in a coastal Cape Cod town. Delsie had been looking forward to summer with her best friend, Brandy, but this year Brandy has befriended a mean girl named Tressa. Tressa's bored drawl contrasts with... Read More

Narrator Todd Haberkorn paints a memorable picture of the quirky DuPont family, who live on a Louisiana estate that time seems to have forgotten. August, who is homeschooled by his high-strung Aunt Hydrangea, longs for friends. Just as he starts to make some, he unintentionally reanimates a friendly zombie who then won't leave him alone. Hilarious situations ensue as August... Read More

Narrator Eevin Hartsough's youthful voice lends whimsy to the fantasy world of Alorria, where "storm beasts" and their human guardians control the weather. Twelve-year-old introverted Mina can't wait to become a guardian and change the world in her own way, but when her egg hatches and a lightning beast named Pixit emerges, everyone thinks it's a mistake. Lightning guardians... Read More

Narrator Johnny Heller's youthful voice is a good match for young Sonny Rabbit, the featured character in a story that teaches kids how to handle money. When Sonny is faced with the decision of choosing how to spend his allowance of three carrots, not every one of his wants can be fulfilled. Heller matter-of-factly narrates the story's short sentences at a fast clip. As Sonny,... Read More

Though his delivery is low-key, narrator John Kroft effectively voices the enthusiasm of a boy who is thrilled with his brand-new Schwinn bicycle. At the end of WWII, in a South Carolina town, 12-year-old Gabriel Haberlin pedals through a red light and is pushed from the path of an oncoming car by Meriwether Hunter, an African-American veteran. After the near accident, Kroft... Read More

The sounds of crickets, a crackling campfire, and music greet listeners as five narrators share the meaning of the term "otsaliheliga," a Cherokee word meaning "We are grateful." Each narrator lends a unique voice to the story, complementing the diverse contemporary Cherokee families who are depicted celebrating every season. Cherokee pronunciations are beautifully delivered to... Read More

What better way to learn about the joys of gardening than to hear members of a family sharing their experience? Meet the Gaineses, who had no experience with growing things when they started with "Fern Number One" and then moved on to a houseful, and then to a "yardful" of plants. Along the way, this family shares both the science and practicality of gardening; for example,... Read More

Narrator Kirby Heyborne enhances this beautiful story inspired by a real Oregon wolf. Swift, the fastest pup in his litter, is later called Wander, after he flees from his family during a vicious attack. As Wander matures, Heyborne skillfully alters his delivery of this first-person account. Listeners will travel with Wander through countless challenges, including crossing the... Read More

With heartrending earnestness, narrator Taylor Meskimen draws listeners into the emotional life of Zenobia July, a tech-savvy trans girl who's facing a new year at a new middle school. Fresh from the loss of her father, Zen moved in with her married aunts, and now she's living openly as a girl for the first time. Navigating middle school friendships is tough, even among the... Read More