Doug Lee is an overweight dork nicknamed “Meatball”—and he’ll stay that way forever because he’s just become a vampire. Narrator Kirby Heyborne highlights the abundant humor and irony in Doug’s situation. Heyborne’s ability to create teen voices helps him distinguish a large cast of youthful characters through nuances of pace and pitch, which keep them—and the plotline—straight for listeners. Whether portraying serious, well-meaning Indian exchange student Sejal (Doug’s love interest), Doug’s jaded vampire mentor, or the 15-year-old fat vampire himself, Heyborne’s narration adds dimension to the story. Doug bumbles along, neither the story’s hero nor its victim, earning both exasperation and compassion from listeners. Rex’s offbeat story encourages listeners to think in new ways about teenagers, vampires, and the problems of immortality.
Young AdultPub Date: July 27, 2010
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780061995255
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by.
Sylvie Castellano goes on an unexpected adventure with a vintage gold watch and Penn, the ghost who comes along with it. Barbara Castano’s narration expresses 18-year-old Sylvie’s loneliness. She’s recovering from a concussion, and while her family members' lives continue without her, Sylvie wishes for a more fulfilled life; she wants to have fun as well as take on new responsibilities. Alongside Penn, Sylvie embarks on a series of summer activities, which Castano describes beautifully. But Castano's optimistic tones turn grave as the story unfolds.
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by. (Speculative romance. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547619481
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
This young adult audiobook is full of secrets and lies.
When they were 4, identical twins Aria and Caliste’s mother, Grace, disappeared, and the sisters were separated. Years later, Grace’s body is discovered in a lake haunted by the Ghoul. The two young women travel to Minnesota and uncover family secrets—including each other’s existence. Narrators Rebecca Ho and Chantria Tram capture the twins’ emotions as they discover what has been kept hidden from them. Carolina Do exquisitely performs the point of view of the Ghoul. However, audible pick-ups make this production sound uneven and may distract from the listening experience.
This young adult audiobook is full of secrets and lies.Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217157983
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
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