Narrator Alejandro Antonio Ruiz dazzles listeners with their vocal range and agility. Ruiz convincingly portrays characters of different ages and genders, displaying an impressive command over their versatile voice. Eighth-grader Elio Solis has become more aware of his body, emotions, and female classmates. He feels his world has become radiantly ultraviolet when his classmate... 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

Elizabeth Knowelden's vibrant performance sparkles in a fantastically fun story that celebrates uniqueness. Young Millie Fleur La Fae's garden, with plants like sneezing stickyweed and fanged fairy moss, clashes with Garden Glen's theme of sameness and perfection. Millie considers planting more ordinary flora that would blend in and be considered less "weird" but devises an... Read More

Sarah Tubert narrates this short novel in verse, reflecting the rhythms of 12-year-old Effie, who is deaf and has her own unique gift for language. Tubert stresses the emotions of the story, including Effie's alienation at home and comfort with her American Sign Language interpreter, Miss Kathy, who sees much more about Effie than her struggles with school. Tubert's portrayal... Read More

With his voice occasionally cracking and squeaking, narrator Brandon McInnis leads a full cast as author Rex Ogle's protagonist, also named Rex, navigates seventh grade in this sequel to FOUR EYES. At school, Rex struggles with changing friendships, lagging physical development, and, as the title indicates, zits. At home he and his mother frequently clash. Fortunately, Rex has... 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

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

Lucy Strange gives a lucid yet dreamy performance of a dark fantasy with massive world-building. In a future full of sickness caused by emotions, Payton is focused on becoming a "methic" in order to cure her mother's illness. With her sister, Ani, she explores the darker secrets of the hospital they grew up in before they were separated and introduced to the wilds outside.... 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

Narrator Sura Siu exudes an irrepressible spirit as she leads a full cast through this celebration of community for middle-grade listeners. When Kacie arrives home after a summer away to find her best friend, Nisha, absent and Nisha's dad's convenience store all boarded up, she is hurt and angry. It falls to the "bench grandpas" in the park to help her understand that change is... Read More

Narrators Jesse Vilinsky, Pete Cross, and Matthew Frow bring this YA horror story to life. Eighteen-year-old Wyatt, portrayed by the talented Vilinsky, returns to her family's farm to burn it down. As a child, she spent summers there with her friends Peter and James. While pouring gasoline throughout the house, she discovers Peter chained to a wall. Learning that her father was... Read More

Mara Wilson offers a graceful performance of Hoffman's fictionalized account of Anne Frank's life before her family went into hiding. In a clear, warm tone, Wilson describes a young Anne, who is passionate about writing and infectiously high-spirited and curious. While conveying Anne's vexation at her sister and mother, Wilson also communicates her unshakable love for her... Read More

In a steady passionate tone, narrator Kate Siegel chronicles the life of Rachel Carson, the writer and biologist who launched the global environmental movement. Even as a young child, Rachel appreciated nature and was drawn to writing. As she continued her studies, she found a passion for science. Siegel captures Rachel's determination and frustration as she attempts to join a... Read More

Listeners can expect a thrilling story of survival in this young adult audiobook. A riveting depiction of a dystopian world is voiced by Brittany Pressley, who gives a smooth, grounded account of what happens when the criminal justice system meets the entertainment world. When Emerson is accused of a crime she hasn't committed, her only way out is through a new televised game... Read More

Kirby Heyborne's portrayal of 16-year-old Jesse begins with his comfort in the pleasurable Pennsylvania summers he's experienced with his two childhood friends, Ava and Chloe. Heyborne expresses Jesse's slight tone of concern as he wonders which of the two girls he loves more and how a declaration of that might change all their relationships. Change is a theme in this audio as... Read More

English American actor Moira Quirk narrates the experiences of 10 young women who were all involved in some fashion in British code-breaking efforts during WWII. Each figure represents one facet of the mammoth project, which encompassed decrypting the Nazis' famed Enigma cipher, transcribing and indexing messages, monitoring radio transmissions, and more. Excerpts from journals... Read More

A full cast of narrators delivers the story of sixth-grade student Rex as he struggles to fit in with his peers and challenges keep cropping up along the way. Narrator Benjamin Valic expresses Rex's deep emotions when he discovers that he'll need glasses and then faces the problem of being able to afford them. Narrator Krizia Bajos establishes a passionate voice for Rex's mom... Read More

Meredith Zietlin narrates this WWII story. Seventeen-year-old Eleanor strives to hide her advanced math skills, but she's discovered and recruited to join other women who contribute to the war effort by solving equations. When her ability is determined to be unique, she is sent to a California air base and then to Pearl Harbor to calibrate a new weapon that could help the U.S.... Read More

Author/narrator Lucy Strange dazzles with her dynamic performance. Utilizing various English accents and tones, she delivers this story with impressive breadth. Six sisters live on a farm with their bitter father and loving granny. Their father, fearing the curse of the six sisters, betroths his oldest daughter, Grace. Not wanting to marry, Grace runs away. Willa, the second... Read More

Listeners will find author/narrator Carmen Agra Deedy's retelling of this folktale a delightful treat. Upbeat Caribbean music introduces listeners to the beautiful but gluttonous feline, Carina. She goes around town hilariously eating whatever she wants: crackers, a florist, a bride, and a boy. However, she meets her match when a pair of crabs help everyone escape her belly.... Read More

Josephine Huang and Cassandra Morris join forces to deliver the captivating story of best friends in this exceptional middle-grade audiobook. Helen, voiced by Huang, and Gracie, portrayed by Morris, are known for their mischievous antics. Their latest escapade leads them to join the Community Action Club, currently dedicated to promoting period equity. Morris's dynamic... Read More

In this rich middle-grade mystery, narrators Nora Hunter and Pete Cross offer excellent performances that will appeal to a wide audience. Weatherby is elated when she receives a scholarship to Boston School, an exclusive private academy. But once there, she butts heads with Jack, the son of a generous alumnus. They're both selected to be candidates for the school's secret... Read More

This book devours you. When a hot boy at a swanky party tells Athan to stay in the bathroom until he comes back for him, Athan doesn't expect to spend hours listening to frenzied screams and the sounds of destruction. Vikas Adam provides rich character voices and emotion that pull listeners into Athan's search for answers to the horrors of that night, as well as the... Read More

Pascal Casimier narrates the life of award-winning author Eddie Chuculate with even pacing and a determined tone. Chuculate, who is Creek and Cherokee, grew up in Oklahoma in the 1970s and '80s and discovered his passion for writing in high school. Music plays at the opening and closing of the production, enhancing the listener's experience. Casimier's voice sounds slightly... Read More

Sura Siu returns to narrate the second story in a delightful middle- grade fantasy series. Plum passed the test to stay on and train as a Guardian--a shape-shifting caretaker of the people and the land of the Santipap Islands. While Plum can transform into a deer-like roan and speaks to plants and animals, listeners hear her uncertainty when she discovers her true Guardian... Read More

Alex Gino offers a warm, effervescent narration of their latest middle-grade audiobook. Nonbinary Green Gibson is a member of Jung Middle School's LGBTQIAP+ Rainbow Spectrum club. As the group excitedly prepares for the school's revamped production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, for which every actor can choose the gender of their character, Green contends with complicated feelings about... Read More

Nora Hunter gives voice to the thoughts and signs of Mary, a young, deaf teacher. Hunter's prim and proper tone matches the period language and enhances the early postcolonial setting of this audiobook. Mary's island community is unique because deafness is commonplace, and all residents use sign language. Mary yearns to travel to study at the famous deaf school in Paris, but... Read More

Saskia Maarleveld's precise narration captures Nazi-controlled Amsterdam in 1943. There, this audiobook's heroine must move with caution and pretend confidence when she's rescuing Jewish babies and selling art forgeries to the Germans. Maarleveld's pacing is exact whether she is imbuing a suspenseful scene with tense emotions, increasing speed when rapid action demands it, or... Read More

Narrator Sunny Lu returns for the indomitable Mia Tang's fifth adventure. This time the 13-year-old goes to San Francisco for a winter-break journalism camp at a big-city newspaper. She, her mom, and her friends stay in Chinatown, embedding Mia and listeners in its rich history. Her racist editors have no interest in it, but, of course, Mia finds a way to make her voice heard.... Read More

Dion Graham employs all the charm and enthusiasm he can muster in this first title in the Dragon Games series. Each character receives a nuanced personality. Teacher Ms. Long is aloof when three of her students are magically transported to Imperia on a quest to return the Thunder Egg. Big and goofy Zane is stunned to see he is a furry purple monster, self-conscious Luca is... Read More

Narrators Christian Barillas and Gail Shalan believably voice two teens who are trying to navigate their worlds while wanting more from their lives. Alberto, portrayed by Barillas, is an 18-year-old undocumented Mexican immigrant with an undiagnosed mental illness. He often hears a voice berating him and encouraging negative behavior. Shalan portrays Grace, a Jewish high school... Read More

Jenny Walser, Joe Jameson, and Aaron Barashi convincingly portray the perspectives of siblings Tori, Charlie, and Oliver in this sweet novella set in the HEARTSTOPPER universe. What begins as a cozy Christmas morning turns fraught. Tori wants to support Charlie, who was recently hospitalized for an eating disorder, but finds it hard to connect. When extended family arrives for... Read More

A full cast dramatizes this story of three Taiwanese kids who are left alone in the U.S. after a vacation while their loving parents return home to support them from afar. Author-illustrator Betty Tang opens this adaptation of her graphic novel by explaining that the English-language dialogue spoken by 10-year-old Feng-Li and her family is halting and heavily accented to... Read More

Oseman's HEARTSTOPPER characters first appeared in 2014. This new production, narrated by Jenny Walser, is an entertaining addition to the franchise. Walser, who plays Tori Spring in the HEARTSTOPPER streaming series, clearly knows her character well and narrates this story, full of suspense and romance, fittingly. Although she does not widely vary her voice for dialogue, her... Read More

Curtis Michael Holland's delivery conveys the anxiety and innocence of sixth grader Ziggy, whose mother is missing. He believes the Nunnehi spirits that live in the desert caves have helpful information, so he and a group of teens search for them one night. In doing so, they come across a menagerie of creatures with ties to Cherokee legends who tell stories that add meaning to... Read More

Ulka Simone Mohanty invites listeners into the perilous world of Heera, a teenager in India who is struggling against the limitations of her perceived future. Heera has watched her beloved cousin, Mira Di, and countless other girls being sold into the sex trade and fears that she is next. A crisis leads her to a hostel for at-risk girls, where she begins to learn kung fu and... Read More

Cyrina Fiallo brings every chirpy raccoon, fearsome Nightbeast, and determined witch to life in this fantastical, fun, and sometimes scary sequel to WITCHLINGS. Seven Salazar has weighty new responsibilities and a big secret--not only can she speak to animals, but to monstruos, too. Fiallo's lively voice captures each character as Seven, Valley, and Thorn face new dangers and... Read More

In the second book of Mara's Dragon Games series, Dion Graham returns to narrate the conflict between three students and Dartsmith, the evil leader of Imperia. The students' mission is to return three thunder eggs to their frosty home in North Gelinda. This time, the three are transformed: Yazmine is a dragon, Luca is a beast, and Zane is able to run superfast. Graham vocally... Read More

Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s second memoir, following HEY, KIDDO, recounts his experiences as a teen counselor at a camp for terminally ill children. Originally a graphic memoir, it becomes a powerful cinematic audio because of the coordination of more than 50 narrators, carefully selected music, and sound effects that enhance the action. Krosoczka portrays himself as an adult;... Read More

Narrator Brenna Larsen evokes the joy and love of a girl who is visiting her grandmother. Mia is breaking her family's tradition by going to Maine on her own this summer. She's escaping the anxiety she feels at the prospect of her mom selling their house and looking for a new one with her boyfriend. The enthusiasm Larsen puts into her youthful voice is quickly tempered by... Read More

Ali Stroker delivers a personable performance in this coming-of-age story. At college Effie explores her independence and pushes against the boundaries of her comfort zone. She uses a wheelchair and has been viewed as someone with limitations since high school. But at an accessible college, she pursues her dreams and can be seen as herself. Stroker's flexible performance... Read More

Ramón de Ocampo narrates this WWII story gleaned from the harrowing eyewitness accounts of American and Filipino soldiers, nurses, reporters, and others in the Philippines at the time. Introductory military music sets the tone, and de Ocampo speaks in a style reminiscent of radio broadcasters of the day. When the U.S. surrendered the Philippines to the Japanese, most Americans... Read More

Sura Siu's narration consistently matches the spirit of this fantastical story. Nature-loving Plum is sent from her grandparents' farm to the Guardian Academy. There she will train as a Guardian who will transform into an animal and protect the natural world. If she fails, she will be sent home. The bullies in this story are sarcastic and patronizing, and the instructors, who... Read More

Narrator Mimi Chang's youthful voice gives her performance a boost of authenticity as she portrays Eliza, a teenager who is struggling to fit in at her new school. Eliza's life changes overnight when an essay about her made-up boyfriend goes viral. She persuades her classmate Caz--a charming Chinese actor in need of some good PR--to play the part of her boyfriend. Chang keeps... Read More

Ringing school bells and squeaking sneakers augment a full cast as they dramatize the events of the author's seventh-grade year in small-town Texas. It's dominated by the cheer-squad tryout, but typical middle-school concerns--changing bodies and changing friendships--emerge, as well as issues particular to Christina's identity as the only Thai American student in her school.... Read More

Multiple Oscar winner Meryl Streep brings vocal star power to this tale of two prehistoric sycamore seeds. When an errant dinosaur’s jostle casts Merwin and Louise’s seedpod loose from Mama, it sends them on an odyssey through several Cretaceous biomes. Their search for a place to grow is furthered by agents ranging from a lacewing named Spot to a T. rex. It’s both an adventure... Read More

Five very different students misidentified as “Mexicanos” find commonality in a superb audio adaptation of this graphic novel. While the full cast and production are all outstanding, the narrators portraying the diverse students give especially animated performances, conveying unique personalities and moving flawlessly between English and Spanish. Andrés Hinspeter-Seda is the... Read More

Narrator Emily Ota establishes a youthful voice for Mai, who embarks on her family's annual summer trip to Mystic, Connecticut, to visit her mom's longtime friend, Holly, and her family. While Mai had been best friends with Holly's son, Zach, over the years, she now seeks revenge for an incident that occurred during their last visit. Ota creates unique and authentic voices for... Read More

Narrator Michael Gallagher creates a determined voice for 12-year-old Nyl as his family experiences the horrors of Stalin's five-year-plan in 1930s Ukraine. When two Canadians, Comrade White and his daughter, Alice, arrive at their home to persuade them to join the collective and give up their farm, everything begins to change. Soldiers start to terrorize and kill Ukrainians... Read More

Narrators Joe Jameson and David Stagg tenderly deliver this touching audiobook. Nick, voiced by Stagg with optimistic confidence, can't stop talking about how excited he is to start university. Charlie, voiced by Jameson with breathy uncertainty, fears facing his last year in high school without his boyfriend. Nick can't tell what's going on as Charlie's anxiety spirals out of... Read More

A trio of talented narrators--Sophie Oda, Adam Sanders, and Almarie Guerra--take three storylines and infuse their performances with urgency and excitement, keeping listeners on edge. Oda portrays Akira, who is trying to survive a massive wildfire in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Voiced by Sanders, Owen and George have been attacked by a polar bear in the Manitoban... Read More

André Santana provides an energetic voice for a small Brazilian house as it tells the interconnecting stories of its teen inhabitants in three different time periods. Author Vitor Martins's story is warm, compelling, and highly unusual as each of the teens reaches a new stage of comfort with their sexual identity. What this means at the cusp of the new millennium, in 2010, and... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky creates a passionate voice for 11-year-old Milla, who encounters numerous changes and challenges when her best friend, Honey, starts to attend her Orthodox Jewish school, Eden Academy. Vilinsky captures Milla's tumultuous emotions as Honey enters her school life and moments of jealousy arise. Along with her friend troubles, Milla also struggles to feel... Read More

Author and narrator Mac Barnett completely charms in this delightful fairy-tale retelling. Barnett is clearly having a great time relating the story of a hungry troll who waits for tasty morsels to cross the bridge over his head. Young listeners will giggle at Barnett's growly voice for the troll, who rhymes hopefully about a goat flambé with candied yams and a goat clam... Read More

Pete Cross heads a team of skilled narrators in this exploration of how censorship impacts the lives of young people. Mac Delaney is disturbed when his friend Marci shows him the blacked-out sections of their new reading assignment, THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC, a real-life book about WWII and anti-Semitism in Poland by Jane Yolen. When the kids' concerns are dismissed, they will... Read More

Narrator Bahni Turpin portrays Jo Monarch, who lives in a dystopian future in a dreary place called the Ashes. For years, she's wanted to win the Lineup, a live game that chooses the brightest of its young female contestants to move to New Georgia. Pete Cross portrays Cove Wells, who already lives in New Georgia, where everything and everyone seems wonderful--but is not. Cove... Read More

Harrington's debut novel about a girl who stutters when talking to people is fully realized in Camilia O'Grady's crisp, thoughtful narration. In alternating chapters, Maggie and an abandoned snow leopard cub meet in Wildoak Forest, where she is sent to live. O'Grady's performance of Maggie's stuttering sounds authentic, filled with frustration when she's unable to speak up when... Read More

Two narrators give empathetic, engaging performances in this novel about fandom, fame, and self-worth. Deana Taheri is bubbly as Angel, a big-name fan who travels to London to meet her online friend, Juliet, and see The Ark, their favorite boy band. Cloud Quinn is endearing and heartbreaking as Jimmy, one of the three Ark band members, whose anxiety is making it harder and... Read More

Karl T. Wright takes the mic, supported by Imani Parks and P.J. Ochlan, in this tale of a haven turned hellscape. For teen protagonist Jay and the other resident workers—mostly people of color—the Karloff Country theme park and resort has been an oasis from the destabilizing effects of climate change. Wright expertly evokes Jay’s growing horror, shared by listeners, as he... Read More

Philbrick's latest historical fiction, set in 1920s Maine, is brought to life by the amazing Kirby Heyborne. Davy and his sister, Jo, orphaned by their mother's death, are rescued for the summer by cousin Ruthie Reynard, a famous aviatrix who gives them jobs and a home in her flying circus. As delivered by Heyborne, 12-year-old Davy's voice is nervous as he worries about his... Read More

Fans of Natalie Lloyd who have loved the written voice of her magical novels for years have a treat in store with her debut as narrator. Her warm Southern voice perfectly fits 11-year-old Olive, a character with whom she shares the disability of brittle bones and many other growing-up experiences. Lloyd makes clear homeschooled Olive's deep wish to attend public middle school,... Read More

André Santana's haunting performance makes perfect sense for this audiobook. Its main character, 12-year-old Moon, is Black, nonbinary, and suffering from depression. Santana gives a strong sense of Moon's feelings of isolation in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding. Intense first-person writing reveals their feelings--for Moon hasn't spoken aloud in months. As Moon... Read More

Narrator Pete Cross delivers a compelling performance of this supernatural thriller filled with secrets and emotional twists and turns. Cross nails the emotions experienced in the opening sequence: the anguish felt by zombie Caroline and the terror felt by her gender-fluid twin brother, Mars, as she attempts to murder him. The building tensions Mars feels as boys bully him at... Read More

Dylan J. Locke captures inner and outer views of Evan Pao's family and friends. When a scandal threatens and Evan's father vanishes, the family moves from California to a small Virginia town. The only Chinese-American boy in his new sixth grade, Evan circumvents his fears to match the cheer of a welcoming new friend, Max. Locke depicts Evan's liveliness. He also reveals Evan's... Read More

Tyla Collier's narration of this imaginative story set in West Africa is warm and folkloric. Thirteen-year-old Simi is sent to stay with her mystical grandmother whom she didn't even know existed. While there, she uncovers secrets about her family and the other children of her grandmother's Nigerian village. Collier authentically portrays the characters in this adventure. Her... Read More

The fourth in Yang's Front Desk series is once again narrated by Sunny Lu. It's lovely to be welcomed back into Mia's life by Lu's familiar voice. Mia, however, is far from comfortable. Her PE class is focusing on soccer as the Women's World Cup is set to take place in Los Angeles. Lu fluidly expresses Mia's divided feelings of loyalty when the Chinese soccer team plays the... Read More

Narrator Will Patton's insistent rasp propels listeners through the explosive conclusion to the Dreamer Trilogy. With the magic that powers dreams having been shut down at the end of Book 2, the characters now strive to build their lives without it. Those who have been dreamed into reality--several among the sprawling cast--simply sleep unless they are near a "sweetmetal," a... Read More

Pete Cross portrays two gay teenagers who are coming of age in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic in this moving, messy, and deeply personal story. Micah is a closeted teen who is desperate for gay friends and experiences; C.J. is a charismatic dancer with a penchant for telling elaborate lies. Cross voices C.J. in a suave, self-assured tone, which he lowers and... Read More

Written and narrated by Brittney Cooper, this audio and picture book make an especially fine combination. She introduces 10 incredible Black women who changed history by standing up for what they believed in. The historical, contemporary, well-known, and less-well-known women include Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, and Mari Copeny, a youth activist who fought for clean water in... Read More

Narrator Cyrina Fiallo shines as the voice of the brave little witch Seven Salazar. Turning 12 makes Seven eligible to join a coven during the Black Moon Ceremony, which her magical town hosts yearly. But she is shocked and saddened when she's excluded from the five established covens. In order to form a new coven, Seven must perform an impossible task--but if she fails, she... Read More

Nicola Lambo appears to have a merry time narrating this debut novel. In Florida, Logan, a new white student at a magical girls' boarding school, finds an instant bond with three Black returning students. The girls are determined to break the town's curse and join with two boys from a nearby boys' school. The story is told from their six points of view, and the use of so many... Read More

A quartet of narrators and the author beautifully perform this view of Cuba during the early years of Fidel Castro's government. The interwoven stories of four children show how the Cuban Revolution impacted each of their lives. Listeners are taken to Havana, rural Cuba, New York City, and Miami as narrators Vivia Font, Gary Tiedemann, Rebecca Soler, and Giordan Diaz bring... Read More

Jodie Harris narrates this compelling historical fiction, which begins with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and the opening of WWI. The story weaves together the perspectives of five young people who are immediately impacted: Austro-Hungarian Felix Baum, a Jewish boy; Elsa Dressler from Germany; Kara Webb, a British nurse's daughter; Juliette, a French girl... Read More

Valentina Salazar is proud of her family's role as monster protectors, and narrator Ana Osario voices that family with distinct and vivid characterizations. Everyone is dealing with the death of Valentina's father in different ways: Her mom demands that they give up their nomadic, magical adventures; her brother, Rome, broods alone; her older sister, Lola, tries to be the... Read More

Author Alex Gino narrates their newest middle-grade audiobook with cheerful vivacity. Sam and TJ are two nonbinary kids looking for a project subject who isn't a dead straight cisgender white man (DSCWM) when they stumble on the history of a mostly forgotten queer photographer. With help from their LGBTQIA+ community, they campaign to put Alice Austen on the map. Gino's voicing... Read More

With just the right mix of sassiness, awkwardness, pop culture, and high school drama, this contemporary retelling of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with a Desi twist is a fun listen. Narrator Deepa Samuel portrays Leela Bose and Firoze Darcy. Both are part of the high school forensics teams at their respective schools. Leela is a passionate speech competitor attending public school, and... Read More

Therese Plummer returns to narrate the final installment of this dystopian series, part of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies tetralogy. The pace of this audiobook is breakneck, and each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger. Plummer's narration is relentless. She never falters. Her breathless delivery compels listeners to keep going even when some of the action is terrifying or slightly... Read More

Narrator Patrick Lawlor's steady pace and friendly journalistic tone will keep listeners on the edge of their seats with this riveting nonfiction sports story. In 1954, in three corners of the world, three men train to achieve something no human has ever done before: run a mile in under four minutes. Listeners follow American Wes Santee, Australian John Landy, and Englishman... Read More

Narrator Nile Bullock captures the goofy energy of this hilarious middle-grade audiobook. Bullock's lively voice conveys 12-year-old Eddie's charm as he tells listeners about his perfect plan for skipping out on chores over the summer: He'll wear everything he owns, so he doesn't have to do his laundry until the day AFTER the beach bash. His plan falls apart when his mom... Read More

Narrator Bahni Turpin delivers family drama and scares in this tween horror with a historical twist. Because she has just failed her swim test, Celeste is nervous about spending a week with her cousins at their grandparents' house on a lake. Segregation stopped her grandparents from learning to swim as children, so swimming is extremely important to them. Turpin is perfect as... Read More

Author Edwidge Danticat narrates the introduction and afterword of her novel, providing context by relating her own immigrant experience and feelings about her heroine. Taking over to narrate the story, Ella Turenne uses a youthful voice and light French accent to portray Celiane, a Haitian girl. The violence taking place in her country takes center stage when she and her... Read More

Karen Chilton narrates this audiobook about the famous Civil Rights anthem with clarity and an uplifting sense of purpose. The orchestral accompaniment is fitting, but the omission of a complete version of the song being sung is perhaps a missed opportunity in this uniquely suited format. Chilton speaks slowly, offering time to reflect on the conviction of the lyrics she reads... Read More

Narrator Ron Butler brings joy to this story about a boy who is inspired by the late Civil Rights hero John Lewis. The poetic account of 10-year-old Tybre Faw's eagerness to meet Congressman Lewis is threaded with stories of how the young Lewis was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Butler's bright, crackling narration establishes the delicate balance between hope and... Read More

Narrator Carlotta Brentan establishes a determined voice for a young immigrant, Eva, who has recently moved to America from Germany following WWII. She is on a mission to find her father, a Nazi doctor who worked in the internment camps, and kill him as retribution for his war crimes. As Eva settles into her new country and works with her new friend, Jake, to find her father,... Read More

Narrator Nicola Barber gives a delightful performance of this gripping fantasy filled with magic, science, and dragons. Barber's youthful voices are clear and unique, and her infectious energy transports listeners to a beautifully imagined steampunk-like world. Thirteen-year-old Paisley is assigned her destiny, but it is not one she wants. With the help of her brother, Dax; her... Read More

Carmen Agra Deedy lovingly narrates her own origin story, which explains why we sometimes see the moon during daylight hours. Since children are sent to bed before moonrise, the moon never has a chance to see children on earth. She begs the sun to let her see the children and to let the children see her. That is why the visible moon by day is called a "children's moon." Deedy... Read More

Billie Fulford-Brown narrates this contemporary British coming-out story. Eighteen-year-old Georgia has never kissed anyone, much less dated, had sex, or fallen in love. In fact, she's never truly wanted any of those things. As she begins her first year at Durham University, however, Georgia can't surrender her dream of a "normal" university experience—romance included. It's... Read More

Narrator Richa Moorjani's heartfelt voice elegantly balances teen antics like crushing on someone and hanging out with friends and the serious complications of living in a racist society. In this current coming-of-age story, Zara and her family--who've been waiting for years for their green cards to be approved--struggle with the repercussions of her peers' racist actions.... Read More

Dion Graham makes every audiobook he narrates into a special event, and his charisma just overflows in this one about Ant, a 10-year-old boy from South Carolina. Ant is obsessed with winning his community’s annual spades tournament—and living up to the expectations of his gambling, alcoholic father. When Ant’s best friend and spades partner is grounded, Ant finds an unexpected... Read More

Gwendoline Christie is positively spellbinding as the first-person narrator of this dreamlike story of love and grief, which is experienced like a vision through a kaleidoscope--in randomly assembled bits and pieces tinged with color. Original music for each loosely connected story sets a distinct mood and includes string music, piano, discordant orchestral arrangements,... Read More

Narrator Rebecca Soler's strong characterizations and deft pacing carry listeners swiftly through Christina Diaz Gonzalez's thrilling middle-grade mystery. Katrina lives off the grid, changing cities, names, and lives every few months so she and her parents won't get caught--but she doesn't know why. When her parents are kidnapped, she has to trust a tech-savvy new friend and a... Read More

In alternating chapters, narrators Michael Gallagher and Emily Eiden bring to life a fantasy world filled with winged people who live in the Clandoms. Eiden conveys the humble innocence and sincerity of Ellie, an orphaned member of the Sparrow clan who aspires to join the elite group of knights called Goldwings, despite her low status in the Clandoms' strict hierarchy. Her... Read More

Wes and DeLanna Studi narrate this collection of modern and traditional stories from a variety of American Indian tribes. Only mildly frightening, most of these stories are intended to teach traditions of caution, bravery, obedience, loyalty, compassion, and more. DeLanna Studi reads with a tone of nervous apprehension intended to instill fear and anxiety. Wes Studi has greater... Read More

Telly Leung narrates the story of Ming, a teenage boy living in a Chinese village during the late 1960s. A group of young adults, called the Red Guards, comes to his village to indoctrinate the residents in the Communist belief system. Ming develops a friendship with one of the Guards, gaining new perspectives as they find a common goal: escape. Leung captures the characters'... Read More

Narrator Varia Williams brings much joy to this delightful story. Eleven-year-old Josephine dreams of playing on her school's cricket team and, in doing so, helping her father rediscover his love of the game--which MIGHT distract him from the dating he's doing. But when she isn't allowed to try out and Daddy brings home yet another date, Josephine takes her anger out on a... Read More

Nora Hunter, who narrated LeZotte's first audiobook, SHOW ME A SIGN, narrates this sequel. She conveys the intense feelings of Mary Lambert, a sensitive, deaf 14-year-old who is still recovering from being kidnapped for the purpose of being used as a "live specimen." Mary has a passion for writing, and Hunter's reading of her beautifully composed words suggests Mary's talent.... Read More

Narrator Ulka Simone Mohanty brings to life a vibrant world based on Bengali folklore. A fire-breathing rakkhosh (demon) named Pinki attends Ghatatkach Academy of Murder and Mayhem with her three young cousins. Pinki is frustrated growing up in the shadow of her parents, who were famous resistance fighters. Mohanty conveys her insecurities with relatable angst. When Pinki meets... Read More

Prince Joel Makonnen, coauthor, and Prince Araya Mengesha, narrator, are members of the Ethiopian imperial family, so they bring real history to this fantasy. Yared doesn't fit in at school and has a strange life with his eccentric uncle. He feels most alive in HKO, the augmented-reality gaming tournament he's dominating. Mengesha crafts a lovable jokester as Yared deflects... Read More

Narrator Sophie Oda perfectly voices the tension, passion, and frustration that fill the life of middle-school student Jenna Sakai. Jenna is so over feeling bad about breaking up with her boyfriend and her parents' divorce. Attempting to move on, she decides to bury herself in her investigative article for her school's new journalism prize. Oda crafts varied and realistic... Read More

Sunny Lu narrates the third in Kelly Yang's Front Desk series. After delivering the first two audiobooks, Lu is firmly anchored in the winning persona of heroine Mia Tang. This adventure begins when Mia and her family return to their China homeland to visit. She leaves Los Angeles confused about her relationships with her two best friends and feeling stuck over how to achieve... Read More

Stork returns with a reimagining of his 2006 novel, BEHIND THE EYES. Narrator Christian Barillas's facility with accents adds to the believability of 16-year-old Hector, his family, and Joey, a bullying classmate. Time has passed since Hector's father's death. His brother Fili has recovered from depression, and Hector's own life seems rich with potential. Barillas portrays... Read More

A full cast brings this middle-grade graphic novel to life. Maureen and Francine are Black twin sisters who are forever being mistaken for each other. When they start middle school, outgoing Francine, voiced with confidence by Grace Capeless, decides to run for class president. The story is told from Maureen’s point of view, and Ahnya O’Riordan’s youthful voice captures her... Read More

Alternating narrators tell the story of two Black teens who meet at the Farmland Music and Arts Festival. Sixteen-year-old Olivia has become an outcast at school after a revenge porn incident with her popular ex-boyfriend. Lexi Underwood's narration highlights Olivia's feelings of vulnerability and betrayal. Impulsive and prone to falling in love fast, she tries to avoid her... Read More

Ian Alexander thoughtfully narrates this YA novel about Liam, a nonbinary teen whose older brother, Ethan, has just died. They're struggling to return to normal life, especially since their two best friends have little patience for their grief. They start hanging out with Ethan's best friend instead, a friendship that brings them unexpected comfort. Alexander's voice carries a... Read More

Narrator Shannon McManus returns for the long-awaited 14th installment in the Wings of Fire series. Hundreds of Pantalan dragons narrowly escape Queen Wasp's mind control by braving the long flight across the ocean to the IceWing Kingdom. There Queen Snowfall wants nothing to do with the strangers and is intent on keeping her kingdom safe from other tribes at all costs. McManus... Read More

Sound effects and a full cast lift this graphic novel off the page to create an immersive audio experience. While vacationing at her family’s lake house, 13-year-old Gabby, a bookworm, decides to write a mystery story about the old, empty house nearby that is at the center of a celebrity disappearance. When her rebellious neighbor, Paige, pushes Gabby to trespass on the... Read More

Narrator Joy Regullano creates a youthful voice for 12-year-old Jolina, who is being trained by her grandfather to be a traditional healer upon moving from Manila to an island resort in the Philippines. When the resort owner's daughter, Claudine, begins bullying her, Jolina decides to take matters into her own hands and creates a potion to make Claudine be nice to her. Of... Read More

Narrator Karissa Vacker establishes a youthful and determined voice for 12-year-old Meg, who must escape from Nazi soldiers in German-occupied France. Her objective is to save her father after the British soldier who was tasked with the mission is injured. In order to find her father and make it safely into neutral territory, she must decipher the clues her father left behind.... Read More

Will Patton is back as narrator in the second part of the Dreamer Trilogy, in which dreamers bring people and creatures to life. Now those dreams are desperately trying to stay alive. Patton's differentiation of the diverse cast is important because the author rarely uses dialogue attribution. Always making clear who's speaking, Patton holds the story together beautifully. When... Read More

Narrator Nora Hunter gives voice to Mary Lambert, a nonverbal Deaf girl who lives in a thriving Deaf community on Martha's Vineyard in 1805. Hunter's clear, confident tone reflects Mary's intelligence and self-esteem as she grows up in a culture in which deafness and sign language communication are common and respected. Surrounded by her protective community, Mary doesn't... Read More

Narrator Simon Vance skillfully keeps listeners engrossed with the unsettling happenings at the Ash House. Eleven-year-old Sol arrives with the hope that his chronic pain will be healed, but he finds that the children who live in the dormitory have strange names, a fixation on "nicenesses," and a missing headmaster. Listeners will be captivated from the beginning as the sounds... Read More

This action-packed audiobook, narrated primarily by Brittany Williams, explores the populace of Flood City, the only surviving city left on Earth after devastating flooding. The Chemical Barons escaped ages ago and rule from their spaceships circling Earth, utilizing the Star Guard to maintain control of Flood City. Max just wants to play music in the city orchestra, catch his... Read More

This must-listen is narrated by the author, who drew from her own experience in an all-girl R&B group to tell the harrowing story of three teenage girls' attempt to make it big in the music industry. Denver and her BFFs, Dali and Shak, are confident they've found their big break when they meet Merc, a huge R&B star who acts as their mentor. But when Merc monitors everything... Read More

A full cast re-creates the horrific 1889 flood that killed 2,209 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, residents. Listeners meet the townsfolk, including young people like Taylor Meskimen's thoughtful and spunky Gertrude Quinn, whose diary has supplied first-person information about this event. William James's poetry writing comes alive through Christopher Gebauer's skilled delivery. The... Read More

This elegant performance by Rosie Jones is a reimagined story of Snow White. Princess Sophia's heart has been cut out and stolen by the queen's huntsman, and with the help of seven allies, she's on a quest to get it back. Jones's enchanting voice is perfect for this fantasy, and she maintains an intense level of suspense throughout Sophia's journey. Her regal narration fits... Read More

Lameece Issaq's youthful narration captures the first in a series featuring sixth grader Nadia. She returns from Egypt to reunite with her "Nerd Crew" of like-minded, culturally diverse friends who join forces to put together a museum project. At the story's center are Nadia's changing emotions--her incomprehension of a classmate's bullying, the comfort she finds from friends,... Read More

Anika Noni Rose's narration gives life to Shuri, the tech-savvy princess of Wakanda, who is the Black Panther's sister. Shuri is trying to complete phase one of her training when her best friend, K'Marah, uncovers the mysterious disappearance of scientifically brilliant girls from all over the world. Rose's gift with accents allows even listeners who are new to the story of the... Read More

Caroline Feraday's brisk narration moves this swashbuckling romance along with a vigorous cadence and tone. If it's true that history repeats itself, 18-year-old Sophia Bellamy is in the thick of it. In a dystopian future, the earth's magnetic poles have shifted, wiping away all technology and returning Paris, now the "Sunken City," to a political hellscape. Fierce and... Read More

Bahni Turpin helps listeners come to sympathize with Charlese Jones in the companion volume to Sharon Flake's earlier work, THE SKIN I'M IN, in which Charlese was primarily known as a bully. Here Char finds herself the victim of increasingly difficult and dangerous circumstances: needing to support herself on the street with an abandoned baby. Turpin ably expresses a range of... Read More

Thérèse Plummer narrates the third installment in the Imposters series, set in a world where palace intrigue and sci-fi action exist side by side. Plummer's best work comes during the quiet moments as the main character comes to terms with the trauma of having been born a disposable twin to a father who wants her dead. Plummer's ability to switch between an angry warrior and a... Read More

This teen fantasy audiobook is a top-notch swashbuckler with a complex plot featuring a fight for the throne of Carthya. Narrator Charlie McWade has a marvelous time portraying colorful characters and delivering witty dialogue. He changes accents and cadences as he performs so that characters are recognizable to listeners. He gives the three young men, Jaron the king and his... Read More

This eerily beautiful tale draws on Scottish folklore, creating a unique listening experience. Narrator Elle Newlands's Scottish brogue is the perfect voice for young Alva, who is planning to escape her isolated, fearful life on the loch with her father, who is suspected of having murdered her mother seven years earlier. Newlands will have listeners on the edge of their seats... Read More

In a sweet and youthful tone, Channie Waites portrays Neva Beane--a spirited 12-year-old in the throes of puberty. When her parents go on tour in Europe, Neva and her brother, Clayton, are left to spend the summer with their grandparents. As Neva struggles to find herself and adjust to her role in a changing world, Waites brings depth to Neva's growth, especially when she... Read More

Narrator Dani Gonzalez's youthful voice brings out the innocence and hope in Aida Salazar's poignant novel in verse. Nine-year-old Betita's world is shattered when her father, a political refugee, is deported to Mexico while Betita and her pregnant mother are imprisoned in a family detention center. Gonzalez imbues Betita's memories of her once happy family life with tenderness... Read More

Aaron and Tillie are two depressed teens whose shared story plays out in four different scenarios, all narrated by Marin Ireland in a moving performance. They meet on the George Washington Bridge when both are contemplating jumping, and the story unfolds to detail what happens if one, both, or neither dies by suicide. Aaron is a musician whose songs--written by Konigsberg when... Read More

Narrator Vaneh Assadourian gives an approachable portrayal of a girl who is looking for her mother the night before the D-Day landings of WWII. Samira and her mother work with the Resistance in Nazi-occupied France, and Samira knows that her captured mother will be executed if she can't find her before the invasion starts. Assadourian switches between French and German accents... Read More

Narrator Austin Rising invites listeners on a magical adventure with Dilah, an orphaned fox cub, in this audiobook written in Chinese and translated into English. Upon the death of his parents, Dilah inherits a mystical moonstone that leads to a coveted treasure, one that can transform animals into humans. But Dilah isn't the only one who seeks its power, so his quest begins.... Read More

Savor a deliciously enjoyable performance by Christina Ho in a scrumptious coming-of-age story. Teenager Anna struggles to see a bright future because she puts her siblings first when her depressed mother is frequently bedridden. When she decides to help at her father's restaurant, she is completely charmed by Rory, their new delivery guy. Ho expertly narrates a large cast of... Read More

Three narrators deliver the points of view of three young men dealing with HIV in Rio de Janeiro. Ian, portrayed by Luis Selgas, is reeling from a new diagnosis. Henrique, portrayed by Christian Barillas, has been living with HIV. Victor, portrayed by Anthony Lee Medina, connects romantically with Henrique, but when he finds out about Henrique's HIV+ status, he must confront... Read More

Narrators Cassandra Morris and Christine Tawfik showcase a pair of unlikely friends who are drawn together, first, by circumstance and, then, by mutual understanding in this empathetic middle-grade audio. Syrian refugee Noura has just arrived in Tampa Bay with her family, a development she considers ironic, given her panic-inducing fear of water. Her new friend, Jordyn, is a... Read More

In 1960, a riveted nation watched 6-year-old Ruby Bridges enter a New Orleans public school as its first and only Black student. Ruby Bridges, Ron Butler, and Robin Miles narrate Bridges's memoir, written in 1999. Butler and Miles deliver passages offering context and contemporaneous accounts. Bridges recounts her personal remembrances. Her measured pace gives listeners time to... Read More

Alternating performances by narrators Bernardo de Paula and Ariana Delawari ably express the points of view of Brandon and Reshmina on the mornings of 9/11/2001 and 9/11/2019, respectively, as their worlds explode. Brandon is at his father's workplace in the World Trade Center, and Reshmina is outside her village in Afghanistan, where she finds an American soldier after an... Read More

An author's note in this audiobook shares that this story, inspired by her son, is intended as a conversation starter about racial injustice. The vibrant sound of author/narrator Tami Charles's voice is underscored by bouncy music. Long pauses between phrases help emphasize their meaning, and a chime alerts listeners to page turns. Charles affirms and reaffirms her son's... Read More

Anxiety drives the story in this audio rom-com for teens. Paige loves Fitz, and Fitz loves everybody but Paige because she is his best friend. Narrator Erin Spencer portrays Paige as an intelligent girl who ruminates over every decision in her life. Spencer's portrayal of Paige's anxiety sounds authentic, and listeners will identify with the quick shifts in her thoughts. For... Read More

In this charming story, narrator Alex Wingfield portrays Maxwell, a boy who accidentally erases himself from history. When tensions at home--mixed with a bit of magic--cause Maxwell to disappear, listeners will hear an audible change in his voice. Maxwell's once rambunctious nature is promptly overshadowed by the weight of what he has lost--his family, friends, and beloved dog,... Read More

Narrator Matt Godfrey embodies the lighthearted fun of this science and technology-based adventure. The audiobook's mystery surrounds the brilliant Preston Oglethorpe, an eccentric genius whose mathematical understanding of chaos theory allows him to predict and change events in the future. His mysterious disappearance means nothing to a trio of sixth-grade friends--Oliver,... Read More

Narrator Reena Dutt whisks listeners into a heroic tale set in the Himalayas. As the heroine, young Asha, Dutt narrates in pure, sweet tones, relaying the girl's innocence and imagination. Set on finding her father after not hearing from him in months, Asha enlists the help of her dearest friend, Jeevan. His practical personality is portrayed by Dutt in calm, sometimes serious... Read More

Roxana Ortega and Christian Barillas return to narrate the conclusion to Stork's previous book, DISAPPEARED. Having escaped the cartel in Mexico and illegally entered the United States, Sara, voiced by Ortega, has applied for asylum and awaits in a detention facility for a decision on her status. Ortega conveys Sara's frustration as her faith in the U.S. justice system wanes... Read More

Narrator MacLeod Andrews creates a strong voice for Jake, who stumbles upon a battle between Yeerk and Andalite aliens that changes his life. He and his friends become the last hope for defeating the Yeerks when a dying Andalite alien gives them the power to morph into animals. Subduing the Yeerk threat will be difficult since they are parasitic slugs that crawl into the ears... Read More

Laurine Price's beautiful singing voice enhances her narration of this audiobook about a biracial sixth grader who longs to shine. When Laura and her best friend, Tara, try out for the school musical, Lauren hopes that she will be the star instead of Tara, for once. But even after her audition brings down the house, Lauren is not cast as the lead because, being half-Chinese and... Read More

Listeners will definitely want to cast their vote for Liz Lighty in this debut audiobook for teens. Narrator Alaska Jackson's relaxed, natural-sounding delivery makes Liz instantly relatable. She might not seem like prom queen material at her wealthy Indiana high school, but Liz is determined to win the crown because it comes with a scholarship that will ensure she can attend... Read More

Narrators Katie Koster and Christian Barillas steal the show in this mostly lighthearted, though sometimes serious, YA story, told entirely through text messages. Koster portrays the main character, Haley, an intelligent and quirky self-identified nerd whose tone is often straightforward and serious. Martin--Martin Nathaniel Munroe II, to be exact--is portrayed by Barillas, who... Read More

Anika Noni Rose's narration is pitch-perfect in this Marvel Comics middle grade novel about the Black Panther's genius little sister, Shuri. This audiobook is filled with fictional names, places, and gizmos that can seem daunting. Rose uses this fictional vocabulary so well that listeners will have no problem believing that it is all real. While Rose does a stellar job with the... Read More

Narrator Santino Fontana enters the Hunger Games arena, capturing fans' attention and hearts with his impactful performance of this prequel to the popular trilogy. This action-packed audiobook reveals how the impoverished, sometimes sentimental teenage Coriolanus Snow morphed into the man who would become the merciless leader of Panem, overseeing the live reality event in which... Read More

Bilingual narrator Almarie Guerra brings Ortega's humorous ghost-hunting story to life with ease as she introduces listeners to young Lucely Luna and her firefly spirit family. Guerra imbues Lucely's voice with vibrant notes of determination and curiosity as she and her best friend, Syd--the more skeptical and rebellious of the pair--work to unravel a decades-old mystery that... Read More

James Shippy narrates this history with deliberate phrasing aimed at young adults. After the Civil War, ratification of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments was intended to guarantee civil rights to formerly enslaved people. It quickly became apparent, however, that many states were systematically dismantling these rights--ironically, using the justice system to erode the... Read More

In a gentle, friendly tone, author/narrator Peter Reynolds reaches out to listeners with words of encouragement and positivity in this guidebook of advice for young children. Without plot or characters, short declarations like "Be curious" and "Be kind" are followed up with brief, heartfelt explanations for listeners seeking to be themselves amid life's challenges. Original... Read More

Tatiana Maslany narrates the second book of The Hunger Games trilogy in a wide range of voices, giving the large cast of characters unique personalities. As Katniss tells the story of her current life as a co-winner of the Hunger Games, her voice projects her emotions and state of mind. She sounds breathless with fear as she recounts incidents from the game, impatient with... Read More

Fifty years after four young people were shot by the National Guard at Kent State University, Deborah Wiles gives us an honest fictional account enhanced by this production. The narrators give voice to several witnesses, each with a unique perspective. We hear the truth as perceived by students, townies, the National Guard, and others. Christopher Gebauer, as Student #1, uses a... Read More

Author Alex Gino steps up to the mic as narrator in this highly anticipated companion story to their breakout debut, GEORGE. The start of sixth grade prompts earnest, good-natured Rick to finally admit to himself that his lifelong best friend, Jeff, is a bigoted jerk. This uneasy realization, coupled with his growing awareness of his own disinterest in dating, leads Rick to... Read More

Narrator Bailey Carr delivers a captivating performance in this coming-of-age audiobook about a girl with autism who is starting middle school. Tally tries to be "normal" to fit in with her classmates, but masking her autism only makes her thoughts and sensory overload burst out in ways that make people uncomfortable. Carr connects seamlessly with Tally's apprehensions and... Read More

Narrator Beata Pozniak's authentic accent carries listeners into this gripping true account of Stefania (Fusia) Podgorska. Fusia leaves her country home to live and work with the Diamants, a Jewish family in the town of Przemysl, Poland. Pozniak portrays how Fusia thrives with the loving family--until Nazis arrive and the Diamant family is sent to the ghetto and Fusia's beloved... Read More

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld delivers an enthusiastic performance of this audiobook about the early years of NASA's race to send an American to space. Seven decorated male pilots underwent torturous training and constant media attention for the chance to become America's first astronaut. Thirteen similarly skilled women undergoing the same tests and occasionally outperforming the... Read More

Narrator Roxana Ortega's gentle, measured tone matches the fairy-tale style of this curious middle-grade novel. Her light accent perfectly conjures the Latin American imaginary setting. Maximiliano Córdoba is preoccupied with joining the local youth fútbol team and with the hole left in his family by the departure of his mother, who left before he can remember. When he... Read More

Reba Buhr returns with her spellbinding narrating skills for Book 2 of the Cassidy Blake series. Tween Cass's near-death experience allows her to see through the veil into the world of ghosts. Cass and her best ghost friend, Jacob, are exploring Paris, the next destination for the ghost-hunting TV show her parents are filming. Unlike in Edinburgh, the setting of CITY OF GHOSTS,... Read More

Some authors excel at narrating their own work. Jenny Downham can be counted among them. Her latest teen novel features Lexi, a 15-year-old whose anger issues are coming to a head as she struggles for perfection, hoping to be accepted by her mother's demanding fiancé. In this haunting story, Lexi's frustrations with her shortcomings are realistically portrayed, both by the... Read More

Anika Noni Rose narrates the glorious conclusion to the epic Shadowshaper Cypher trilogy. Sierra and her Shadowshaper crew face danger from all sides now that the existing and emerging Houses know that the Deck of Worlds is in play. Rose captures the urgency that underlies the fight sequences, as well as the sense that matters are spinning out of Sierra's control. Similarly,... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky chronicles the tragedy of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 in a passionate yet reverent voice. The story follows 12-year-old Carmen, who has immigrated to Boston from Italy with her papa. She and her friends often play near the molasses tank in town until the day it explodes, flooding her neighborhood. Vilinsky easily transitions to the youthful voices... Read More

Narrator R.C. Bray uses a dramatic voice to deliver this account of George Dasch's involvement in Operation Pastorius, Hilter's espionage program in the U.S. during WWII. Bray offers even pacing throughout the story, beginning with Dasch's return to Germany for training as Nazi saboteur. Tension heightens as he and others arrive in the U.S. to complete their missions. Things... Read More

Narrator Lauren Irwin immerses listeners in the true stories of Jewish children in the 1930s who fled to safety on the Kindertransport (Children's Transport), leaving their parents behind in Nazi Germany. In her distinguished English accent, enhanced by authentic-sounding pronunciations of German names and places, Irwin relays the history of the Nazi party's systematic... 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

In this reimagined fairy tale loosely following the story of "The Little Mermaid," Amy Shiels delivers a breathtaking narration, transporting every childhood Disney fan to an adult world of magical creatures. Shiels does an impeccable job of engaging listeners with her portrayal of good and evil characters, giving each one a unique tone and timbre. Listeners are whisked away to... 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

As one of America's favorite trilogies comes to an epic conclusion, narrator Tatiana Maslany smoothly ushers listeners into District Thirteen for the revolution and climax of a lifetime. In this newest production of MOCKINGJAY, Maslany embodies Katniss Everdeen in both her heroic glory and her struggles with guilt and turmoil over the future of Panem. Maslany's enthusiastic... 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

Blair Brown, Michael Crouch, Stephanie Willing, Dion Graham, and others narrate this compelling work of historical fiction. In 1969, a set of cousins climbs aboard a modified bus in Charleston to find a long lost family member in San Francisco. Along the way, they encounter music and culture to which they have never before been exposed. These adventures allow the narrators the... 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 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 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 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

The much anticipated spin-off series from The Raven Cycle creator does not disappoint. Beloved narrator Will Patton returns with his creepy, suspenseful, almost mournful tone to takes listeners on a wild ride of art forgers, dreamers, and dream hunters. This is the world of the Lynch brothers. Ronan is finding his way in the dream world, trying to master his dreams without... Read More

Rosie Jones's upbeat and rousing narration is a delightful addition to this thrilling futuristic story of three unlikely teens who join forces. Together, they overthrow the tyrannical Commissioner and the Queen of Earth Adjacent--humanity's anti-technology planetary settlement. Jones's voice is confident and bruising as Anna, an outlaw and tech smuggler who lives in a secret... Read More

Narrator Will Patton guides listeners through this novella, which is part of Steifvater's popular Raven Cycle series. The story takes place in a dreamworld and is inhabited by dream creatures who have been brought to life by Ronan's power of dream projection. Patton's whispering narration is perfect fit for a world that is shrouded in sleep and secrets. Opal, a dream creation... 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

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

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

A full cast of more than 40 performers brings this powerful graphic novel memoir vividly to life. When he was 3, Jarrett’s grandparents removed him from his heroin-addicted mother’s custody and raised him in their noisy, loving home, encouraging his artistic talent. With music, sound effects, and affecting performances, listeners feel like they are at the dinner table with him... Read More

Thésèse Plummer returns to narrate as Frey, the unlikely heroine of the Imposters series. In this installment, Frey discovers that there is a drug called "feels" that citizens implant into their central nervous systems. As Frey's duties as savior and rebel leader become more difficult, she becomes reliant on these emotional controllers, and Plummer's narration take on new... 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

In a believable and engaging tone, narrator Taylor Meskimen conveys the frustration of a fifth grader living with sensory processing disorder. Eleven-year-old Willa likes to maintain a sense of control over her environment without letting anyone outside her family know about her sensory issues. So when she finds out that her divorced father is engaged to her best friend Ruby's... Read More

Narrator Christine Tawfik's seductive voice pulls listeners into the sultry city of Noor, where Fatima, a human girl, is thrust into a brewing conflict between humans and two powerful clans of djinn. Tawfik's narrative choices amplify the undercurrents of romance between Fatima and the djinn maharajah, Zulfikar. Emphasizing meaning and description through her tone, Tawfik also... Read More

Listeners will hear the emotion in author Samantha Schutz's voice as she describes the panic attacks that began at the time she graduated from high school, as well as her frustration when a string of medications fails to control them. She says in her author's note that she originally wrote her book not only to look seriously at her recovery, but also to provide comfort to... Read More

Nonbinary teen Ben is kicked out of their home after coming out to their parents in this audiobook from an #ownvoices team-up of author and narrator. MW Wilson's voice captures Ben perfectly, bringing them to life as they make a home with their estranged sister and build connections at their new high school. Character voices are not always distinct, and it's sometimes difficult... Read More

Jayne Entwistle narrates this dark feminist Cinderella retelling, which is beautifully eerie and tragic. Isabelle has been the mean, ugly stepsister her entire life--going so far as to cut off her own toes in an effort to change her fate and be with the Prince. When that plan fails and beautiful Ella marries the Prince, the story really begins. Isabelle is frustrated with a... Read More

Steve West and Laura Aikman pair up to narrate a new fantasy adventure set in the kingdom of Aramtesh, where scent has power. With her melodic English accent, Aikman portrays Rakel, a village girl with a keen nose and an ailing father. West, whose has a baritone voice and English accent, portrays Ash, the shield and close friend of the prince. Rakel and Ash met at the blooming... 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

Author Lucy Strange narrates her second book, capturing the historical thriller’s gothic atmosphere. The story transports listeners to the southeast coast of England at the beginning of WWII. Strange imbues her words with impactful inflections and poignant pauses that take listeners into the heart of 12-year-old Pet. An encroaching war is confusing enough, but worse yet are... Read More

Oliver J. Hembrough's bold narration of the story of young Jacob and his dog, Jet, brings action and adventure to life for young listeners and adults alike. Following Jacob as he finds a way to escape a near-future dystopian England, Hembrough navigates listeners through each twist and turn of a courageous story. Hembrough maintains the tension as Jacob and Jet travel under a... Read More

Three narrators weave a contemporary murder mystery involving the powerful influences of social media, fandom, and internet fame. When frenemies Kya and Fuse, voiced energetically by Sisi Aisha Johnson and Shawna Carter, discover their mutual friend, the up-and-coming DJ ParSec, has been murdered, they reluctantly team up to uncover the truth while dodging her rogue fans.... Read More

Lively Spanish music sets the scene for this South American adventure. Narrator Rebecca Soler introduces Coco, a bilingual 13-year-old who works in her mother's chocolate shop. When she and her former best friend, Leo, win a trip to the Amazon with their mothers and adoptive grandfather, Gali, listeners hear her excitement. Soler's young-sounding voice contrasts with the deep,... Read More

With vibrant intensity, Christopher Ashman narrates this steampunk adventure set in an alternate 1930s England. Twelve-year-old Christopher is an engineer's assistant who lives with the mechanical children created by the unscrupulous Mr. Absalom. When an accident reveals Christopher's true nature and a rival engineer kidnaps him, the other children run away to search for him.... Read More

Narrator Emily Eiden has a flair for portraying 7- to 10-year-olds. Abby has just moved to Smithville and is highly disgruntled about it. When she and her younger brother, Jonah, explore their new basement, a mysterious mirror whisks them into a deep and dark forest. There they meet a most uncooperative and grumpy woman, a girl named Snow, and some remarkable miniature people.... Read More

In the audio version of this picture book for young readers, a poor little porcupine who just wants a hug asks for one from her forest friends. Everyone is too afraid of her prickly spines to give her the cuddles she needs. Narrator Ramón de Ocampo gives unique voices to Porcupine and her animal companions. Whether exclaiming over the idea of snuggling with a porcupine or... Read More

The story of Chaya Lindner's defiance as part of a Jewish resistance group in Nazi-occupied Poland will grip those who listen to this action-packed historical fiction. Jesse Vilinsky's narration features a commanding, rebellious tone as Chaya smuggles people from ghettos and terrorizes military targets. Vilinsky is also nimble enough to be tender and emotive when describing the... Read More

Narrator George Newbern's genial tone imparts warmth and kindness to this story of a town that has seen better days and a wishing well with the power to change lives and mend relationships. With impeccable consistency and an easygoing pace, Newbern evokes the atmosphere of a place out of time, complete with mysterious deathbed wishes, a failing family business, and even a jewel... Read More

Author Edsel narrates with the urgency the Monuments Men themselves must have felt as they hurried to locate art stolen by the Germans during WWII. Edsel focuses on eleven men and one woman who traveled in Italy, France, Belgium, and into Germany itself to locate works of art stolen from museums and private collections and to plan the restoration of buildings of cultural... Read More

Narrator Dion Graham's calm, confident voice takes middle-grade listeners through an introduction to a turbulent time in American history. Henry Gates and Tonya Bolden's title is a clear and lucid primer to America at the end of the Civil War, during Reconstruction, and up to the beginning of Jim Crow segregation. The audiobook version omits the many documents included in the... Read More

Narrator Kate Reinders's youthful voice is perfectly suited to fifth- grader Emma, who is starting public school for the first time after being homeschooled. Lonely and worried about fitting in, she befriends Jack, an autistic boy in her class. Reinders gives Jack a gravelly, flat monotone that differentiates him from the neurotypical kids as he and Emma bond over stories of... Read More

In a sweetly luminous tone, narrator Cassandra Morris brings forth the wonder of Lloyd's latest magical tale. Morris's youthful voice communicates the goodness of 12-year-old Mallie, who toils ceaselessly to support her destitute family. The family lives high on Forgotten Mountain, a place once suffused with starlight and dreams but now clogged with dusty despair. Times are so... Read More

Combining an approachable style with an unhurried pace and occasional character accents, narrator Michael Yurchak captures the voices of the American soldiers who landed at Omaha and Utah Beaches during WWII. Deborah Hopkinson provides a sweeping exploration of D-Day, the massive Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The text is broken into sections, such as the... Read More