This production reflects both the sweep of history and the intimate resilience of one family.
A talented ensemble cast brings this fictionalized graphic memoir to life in a vivid, fully immersive listening experience. Young Carlos, voiced by Cuban American narrator Giordan Diaz, anchors the story with a performance that captures innocence, fear, and curiosity as revolution begins to shadow his childhood in Cuba. Daniel Miyares narrates in a steady, serious tone, skillfully weaving the historical context of 1950s Cuba into the family’s perilous journey toward Key West, Florida. The contrast between his grounded narration and the emotionally charged family scenes adds depth and authenticity. Cuban music and layered sound design, like rolling waves, hushed conversations, and distant protesters, create a cinematic atmosphere.
This production reflects both the sweep of history and the intimate resilience of one family. (Graphic memoir. 8-12)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 1 hr, 27 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217346066
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
Ken Coleman's expertise as a baseball announcer enriches this history of the Boston Red Sox since the sale of Babe Ruth to the N.Y. Yankees. He leads off with a grim account of this transaction, which started the curse that has plagued the Red Sox ever since. The sermon-like tone will amuse non-believers and comfort listeners who are certain the team is cursed. Like the ups and downs of Boston's play through the years, the narrator's voice fluctuates--exuberant and then despondent--in tone and tempo accurately reflecting the mood of any given baseball season. The narrator is very successful at conveying the emotional roller coaster ride Red Sox fans have endured as a result of the curse of the Bambino.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry.
Woodson originally narrated her memoir in 2014, and this updated production features a lively chorus of voices, a new bonus chapter, and testimonies about the legacy of Brown Girl Dreaming. The audiobook opens with spare guitar music, and Woodson narrates her new, emotion-filled introduction. The chorus—Denée Benton, Marley Dias, Dominique Fishback, Big Freedia, Montego Glover, Nicole Ari Parker, Tika Sumpter, and Lena Waithe—then jumps in, each contributor delivering one poem and passing the mic to another voice for the next. The variety of voices adds a little spice, as their narration styles are very different from one another. Snappy musical interludes by Toshi Reagon feature before each section.
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry. (Memoir/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217175611
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: May 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
