Andrew Maraniss's latest sports-focused biography centers on baseball player Glenn Burke. Having played in the 1970s, Burke is remembered for two things: He was gay at a time when the gay liberation movement was in its infancy, and he is credited as the inventor of the high five. Kevin R. Free approaches the narration of this audiobook with dignity and an engaged tone. That's fitting for Maraniss's work, which is an excellent piece of reporting. Just as the writing is clear, so is the narration. Free narrates in voices that represent Burke at various stages of his life: for example, a commanding presence in a locker room, a slightly quieter presence when he is sick later in life. This is a fine look at a ballplayer and the era he played in.
(Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593346204
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A full cast gives a wonderfully vibrant performance of Jason Reynolds's powerful story about found family and music. Nile Bullock heads up the ensemble as 18-year-old Stuyvesant (Stuy), an avid drummer. When he moves out because of his mom's new boyfriend, he meets Dunks, a genius on the guitar, and then Alexis (bass) and Keith (trumpet), all of whom love music just as much as Stuy does. They form a band, and their impromptu jam sessions in New York City subway stations quickly gather fans. The uniformly excellent performances make the characters feel real, developed, and relatable, and the lively conversations among teenagers sound absolutely authentic. Justin Ellington's extensive and essential musical score gives SOUNDTRACK its soundtrack. The result is a production that's full of heart.
(Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593863466
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
When Harper, portrayed by Natalie Naudus, moves next door to Ollie, portrayed by Mary Helen Gallucci, her upended senior year might not totally suck, thanks to their Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Harper and Ollie haven't seen each other since they were 12, but Ollie is still afraid of acting on her romantic feelings for her childhood friend in her small Virginia town. Gallucci's higher pitched voice and nervousness sound appropriate for a closeted teenager and all her cringe moments. While Naudus's deeper voice and even tone portray the confident character of Harper, her performance comes across as more adult than teen. André Santana's masculine voice helps distinguish the fantasy storytelling of their D&D game.
(Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: April 8, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798228366213
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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