Narrator Tom Picasso's voice sounds consistently mournful as he reads the sorrowful first-person story of Griffin, whose best friend and first lover, Theo, has died. Picasso keeps the story's alternating time periods distinct as Griffin's memories shift. Picasso's melancholy tones capture the depth of Griffin's grief--so devastating that his mental health is at risk. Bright spots come in the story's sensitive portrayal of the sweet passion and awkwardness of first love. Through the experiences of three new relationships, Griffin learns to let go of grief, his feeling of responsibility for Theo's death, and his naïve point of view. He grows to see Theo's flaws and to differentiate the confusing feelings of an affair from the strength to be found in a healthy relationship. While Picasso's narration lacks tonal variety, Griffin's growth is clear.
(Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501936470
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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