Landon Woodson's high-speed narration creates immediacy as best friends Drew, Darius, and Isaiah attempt to set a new BMX bike record. Eighth-grader Isaiah admits he's not a daredevil like his buddies, but, as Woodson's fever-pitched delivery shows, he's consumed by the effort. Suddenly, Darius is killed in a terrible accident, and Woodson's voice becomes subdued and somber as grief envelops sensitive Isaiah and continues after he's beaten up by racists. When he's sent to relatives in the South for healing, Woodson reflects Isaiah's vulnerability and, eventually, new way of being. By the end, Woodson shows Isaiah's healing and shift to a more mature outlook. Throughout, Woodson's narration honors the verse structure of the story, supporting all its rhythms.
(Verse fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: April 23, 2024
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797174174
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people.
Jenyvette Vega narrates these poems, which chronicle Puerto Rico's struggle for self-determination. She shifts seamlessly between Spanish and English as listeners learn about the history of the flag and what it represents to the Puerto Rican people, as well as about key events in Puerto Rican history and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Vega reads at a gentle pace appropriate for young listeners. A preface provides background on Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, and an included PDF details the history of the people and events portrayed in the poems.
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063577176
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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