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Listening becomes almost visual in these accounts of Asian-Americans living in 1960s and ‘70s San Francisco. The 10 related novellas that comprise this work touch on art, politics, activism, and deep Asian familial bonds and traditions. Casting a variety of dynamic performers imbues each novella with a distinct essence and power, resulting in a listening experience that is... Read More

Can a first day at a new high school get any worse? Chase Masters is dropped off to stay at a winter circus compound by his father—a storm chaser. But soon, after a bus crash, Chase and two new friends find themselves pursued by a deadly hurricane through a Florida preserve. Ramón de Ocampo steadily narrates horrific events that range from electrocution to gators and escaped... Read More

One man's trash is another man's treasure in this compelling mystery, which introduces listeners to three trash-picking boys named Raphael, Gardo, and Rat. The trio spends their days combing through mountains of garbage in an unidentified South American country. Suddenly, the police show up at the dump's squatter camp, looking for something of great value. A cast of seven... Read More

Ramon de Ocampo gives a rousing presentation of the first in the series of adventures of 12-year-old Mack MacAvoy. Mack is “pretty medium” on every scale—a medium-happy kid who has medium brains and medium looks. But one day he learns that he’s one of the Magnificent 12, and he's being called upon to set aside his "mediumness" to track down the other 11 members, who will join... Read More

Poetry professor Miranda Sturgis intimidates and inspires her awestruck graduate students, who go on to lead lives deeply affected by her stature and criticism. Seminar students Roman and Bernard’s lives turn out to be vastly divergent—one becomes a famed poet; the other descends into obscurity and poverty. Ramon de Ocampo's performance evokes the frustrations of ambition,... Read More

As the school year starts, Greg Heffley is out to replace his former best friend, Rowley. Identifying a middle school buddy is tricky, as is navigating the family upheaval when Greg’s mother goes back to school and when the extended family gathers at Grandma’s for Uncle Gary’s wedding. Transitions are hard! Ramon de Ocampo delivers with steady pacing and a mostly deadpan voice... Read More

When the gasoline pumps run dry, 14-year-old Dewey and his two brothers and two sisters are on their own until their parents can make their way home from their vacation in New England. It’s up to Dewey and his older sister, Lil, to take care of the younger kids in the family. Soon the whole community is faced with a new set of challenges from the lack of gas. Ramon de Ocampo... Read More

The third book in Kinney's popular series opens with Greg's New Year's resolution: Since he's already perfect, he'll focus on helping other people address their character flaws. (And he's surprised by their negative reactions to his helpful suggestions.) Though some older listeners may tire of the smart-aleck boy humor evident here, narrator Ramon de Ocampo does not: He brings... Read More

This third book in Kinney's popular series opens with Greg's New Year's resolution: Since he's already perfect, he'll focus on helping other people address their character flaws. He’s surprised by their negative reactions to his helpful suggestions! Though some older listeners may have tired of the smart-aleck boy humor evident here, narrator Ramón de Ocampo has not: He brings... Read More

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo gives a subtly nuanced rendering of Jonathan Tropper's family story involving a distressed and insecure man whose father has just died and whose wife is sleeping with his insufferable boss. Judd Foxman, portrayed in the novel with excruciatingly honest self-flagellation, is something of a comedian, his audience being his family and friends. De Ocampo... Read More

Terry Trueman draws on his knowledge of Honduras, gained when he taught there, to create a compelling story about the impact of Hurricane Mitch, which devastated the Caribbean in 1998. The story’s first-person narrator is 13-year-old Jose, who is thrust into the role of man of the house when the storm hits as a result of his father, older brother, and sister being away. Ramón... Read More

The main character wants to make one thing clear: this is NOT a diary--it's a journal. And it's his mother's idea for him to chronicle his life as a tortured sixth-grader, not his. One day Greg will be famous, but "for now I'm stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons." In a voice that brings to mind Holden Caulfield and David Sedaris rolled into one, Greg discusses the... Read More

Peak Marcello is scaling the Woolworth Building, for the purpose of leaving his "tag," when he's apprehended. He has a choice--spend time in "juvie" or travel to Thailand with his estranged father, whom he hasn't heard from for seven years. It seems like a no-brainer 'til he discovers Dad's plan to use him to save his foundering climbing company. Ramon de Ocampo delivers this... Read More

Jack Danielson thinks he's an average American high school kid, but all that changes one night when he returns from a football game. Before he can say " touchdown," he is sprinting away from his father, who is protecting him from an alien attack. The journey of body and mind that follows challenges Jack personally as he attempts to save the world. Ramon de Ocampo's vibrant,... Read More

When high school student Jamie finally loses his cool with his abusive stepfather, the resulting fight puts his stepfather in the hospital and puts Jamie on the run. He's joined by his sister and his best friend, Juan, who steals his mom's car for the jaunt to Mexico. Reader Ramon de Ocampo provides distinctive voices for each of the three kids, painting a picture of each... Read More

No matter what one's political sensibilities, Ramon de Ocampo's performance as Victor Flores, an impoverished Mexican attempting to enter the U.S., brings a human face to the issue of illegal immigration. De Ocampo's narration vividly portrays the desperation of a young boy struggling to evade the border control as he contends with the corruption of the coyotes who promise to... Read More

Where does Abel Dandy go when he runs away from the freak show and his family? Rejected by the circus, Abel and Apollo, his hairy, albeit endearing, young companion, end up in a traveling freak show run by the devilish Minks. Ramon de Ocampo engages listeners with Abel's first-person voice, which brims with awe, hope, and, most importantly, teenage hormones. De Ocampo handles... Read More

Armin Katchatorian--part Shawnee, part Armenian--attends a private boarding school because he has trouble controlling his anger. An outsider who communicates better with animals that with people, Armie is drawn by something evil in the pond near his school. He is warned to stay away by a young Native American investigating the mysterious goings on at the pond. Bruchac has... Read More

Charlie lives in the shadow of the Grand Teton mountains and shares a fascination with ravens with his grandfather, a naturalist. He hopes that capturing a baby raven, whom he names Blue Sky, will help cure his aging grandfather’s illness. As the bird grows to maturity, listeners hear about raven habits and other interesting facts, as well as legends told by Charlie’s Native... Read More

A self-described daydreamer and klutz, Matt Hamilton finds himself in a scary situation of ghosts, haunted cabins, and woods filled with quicksand and booby traps. He wants to tell someone, but he knows no one will believe him. Matt's penchant for history and science, as well as his nonathletic leanings, make him a believable character whom many children can identify with.... Read More

By looking at major influences and pivotal events in Bryant's life, this straightforward biography tells how the fast-rising star set his heart on playing pro basketball early in life and worked to reach his goals. The author provides insight into some of the emotional challenges Bryant faced, for example, in moving back to the U.S. from Italy and in being relegated to the... Read More

At age 11, William is coping with the death of his beloved grandfather and his parents' divorce when he adopts Riley from a dog pound. Bunting writes a beautiful story, and de Ocampo brings it brilliantly to life. Of particular merit is the re-creation of William's internal dialogues as he reasons right from wrong when his dog attacks a defenseless old horse. De Ocampo keeps... Read More

Against the backdrop of his father's recent death, Horatio struggles with the arrival of his grandfather, the "Old Professor," into the family home and the vagaries of friendship with Eric and his sister, Angie. With the death of O.P.'s dog and the subsequent choice of a new dog, Horatio and his family progress to a point both positive and peaceful. Ramon de Ocampo has a light,... Read More

A teenager's struggles to break free from the denial his family has lived in for years: denial about Paul's mysterious accident, which causes him to wear thick glasses; denial about his father's overwhelming interest in his older brother's football stardom while completely neglecting Paul's life; denial of the futility of his mother's constant efforts to "fit in" and make them... Read More