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STRANGE BIRDS

A FIELD GUIDE TO RUFFLING FEATHERS

Rebecca Soler's narration is engaging and expressive in this audiobook about four girls who form an unlikely team. After finding a mysterious invitation to a lavish mansion, Ofelia, Aster, and Cat meet the kid behind the invite, Lane DiSanti. They don't become instant friends but eventually bond over a shared mission to get their local Scouts to replace an outdated tradition. The four girls learn about friendship as they support one another over a common cause and accept each other's quirks. While the girls all have distinct personalities, Soler's narration makes it difficult to distinguish one from another. The adult characters are much more recognizable, especially Ofelia's parents, who have Cuban accents, and the troop leader, who has a stiff, formal tone.

(Fiction. 9-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2019

Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins

DD ISBN: 9780593106419

Publisher: Listening Library

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    FRIEND GROUP

    From the Friend Group series

    Morris delivers a charmingly relatable performance.

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    Cassandra Lee Morris captures the joys—and horrors—of seventh grade with her enthusiastic narration. Sadie is starting middle school along with her lifelong best friend, Olive. But when Sadie is accidentally added to the group chat for her grade's elite clique, she starts to feel that maybe one friend isn't enough. Morris perfectly captures the judgmental flippancy of a self-conscious seventh grade girl as Sadie attempts to hold onto her friendship with Olive. With careful intonation, Morris delivers every permutation of "LOL" in the text exchanges and conveys all the awkward feelings and nerve-wracking moments that Sadie experiences.

    Morris delivers a charmingly relatable performance. (Fiction. 8-12)

    Pub Date: May 5, 2026

    Duration: 6 hrs, 37 mins

    DD ISBN: 9780063456037

    Publisher: Harper Audio

    Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026

    Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026

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      ANNA-JANE AND THE ENDLESS SUMMER

      Robinson makes listeners squirm with her performance of young campers facing a dystopian future.

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      Rioghnach Robinson channels middle school energy to narrate this story of Anna-Jane, who is excited to be returning to summer camp with friends. But this year will be different: News of a rapidly spreading virus is reported right before people outside camp start disappearing and mutated animals start appearing. The campers soon realize that no rescue is coming, and they must work together to survive while waiting out the virus. Robinson beautifully captures the emotional arc of the tweens, from delighted campers to terrified children to determined survivors. She conveys the thrill of young love and the volatility of friendship and believably characterizes both bullies and a science nerd.

      Robinson makes listeners squirm with her performance of young campers facing a dystopian future. (Verse apocalyptic adventure. 9-13)

      Pub Date: April 28, 2026

      Duration: 5 hrs, 21 mins

      DD ISBN: 9798217172788

      Publisher: Listening Library

      Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026

      Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026

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