Jennifer Bobiwash and Darrell Dennis deliver powerful performances as Ariel and Tomah, Native American teenagers who are living in an urban intertribal housing project. A musical introduction sets an inspiring and reflective tone for this moving dual narrative. Bobiwash captures Ariel's love of ballet, which diminished after the disappearance of her Auntie Bineshiinh. Bobiwash also depicts Ariel's frustrated attempts to understand and address community issues. Dennis captures the delicate balance between Tomah's insecurity about reading and his carefree facade. Bobiwash's heartfelt portrayal also showcases the reasons that dance is metaphorical freedom for both Ariel and Tomah. Compassionate narrations convey cultural identity, social issues, and coming-of-age themes that may inspire thoughtful conversations among teens and adults alike.
(Verse novel. 10-16)Pub Date: June 4, 2024
Duration: 1 hr, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063223653
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Nayeri has done a stellar job of adapting his own unique work to the audiobook format.
Nayeri narrates this hero’s journey from Nothing to purpose. Ing (short for Nothing) heeds the advice of his friend, Nana, and sets out with his dog, Pöppy, and the wise mouse, mOmO, to find his name, parents, and purpose. Among Ing’s adventures, he traverses the Land of the Dead and aids the questing Wander Prince. Background music and sounds, like Pöppy’s bell ringing and echo effects in the Land of the Dead, stand in for the artistically arrayed text of the print version. Nayeri’s narration is crisp and matter of fact, presenting sorrow, joy, and even death with a reassuring pragmatism. The exception is his characterization of Pöppy as joyfully silly and distracted.
Nayeri has done a stellar job of adapting his own unique work to the audiobook format. (Adventure. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
Duration: 1 hr, 47 mins
DD ISBN: 9781628864595
Publisher: Sourcebooks Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
An energetic performance brings this world to life.
Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden beautifully captures the whimsy of Millie Fleur’s world as well as her frustrations, or “morgenmuffels,” as she tries to navigate “the worst day ever.” Knowelden establishes a youthful, high-pitched voice for Millie as she prepares for Butterbloom Fest, which is the most exciting day of the year in Garden Glen, her new hometown. The lively background voices and sounds give the audience a sense of busyness and heightened emotion as Millie’s cake and plant for the competition don’t turn out as well as she hoped. Knowelden creates unique voices for the many friends that come to Millie’s rescue in her time of distress.
An energetic performance brings this world to life. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 28 mins
DD ISBN: 9798225080907
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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