Karissa Vacker strengthens this audiobook with her depictions of sadness and confusion as fifth-grader Pearl sinks into depression. Vacker captures the dismal messages in Pearl's brain, nasty communiqués from mean inner voices. Vacker also depicts caring family members and friends who note Pearl's changed behavior and worry. Vacker conveys Pearl's healing with the aid of a counselor, Pearl's grasp of her situation, her courage, and her deep connection with her beloved grandfather, who also suffers from depression. The audiobook is woven with lyrical metaphors of the sea, the loggerhead turtles Pearl loves, and the octopi she relates to--all of which reflect the story's Florida setting. Though written in verse, it sounds like prose. Resources are listed in the afterword.
(Verse fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217017713
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Perfect for listeners who enjoy a fast-paced coming-of-age novel in verse and an exceptionally authentic narrator.
What starts as a story about a young man’s passion for basketball ends in a powerful reckoning with anxiety and self-acceptance. Author Randall dynamically narrates Malik “Shake” Page with so much personality that listeners will align with Shake's emotional highs and lows as if they're spectators in the bleachers. After an ankle fracture sidelines Shake from the sport that defines him, his inner journey takes center stage. Listeners will chuckle at the dialogue and be on the edge of their seats as they root for Shake to find his community both on and off the court.
Perfect for listeners who enjoy a fast-paced coming-of-age novel in verse and an exceptionally authentic narrator. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250441652
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
A sensitive performance.
Deepa is a precocious 12-year-old girl in remission from leukemia. Under the tutelage of her uncle, a house call doctor, she becomes involved in solving teen tennis player Taio's puzzling medical mystery. Deepa is unsure of herself, but she’s ready to get back to middle school after a year away for treatment. Narrator Soneela Nankani depicts Deepa's desire to be more than the "sick kid" while navigating her youthful insecurities and the social challenges of middle school. Nankani also ably portrays Deepa's growing confidence in herself as she uses her own experience with illness to help figure out what’s wrong with Taio.
A sensitive performance. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 32 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668182833
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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