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ETHAN AND THE KEY

Nick Podehl's dynamic narration is well suited to the nonstop action of Canfield's middle-grade fantasy. The character of Ethan is introduced at a baseball game--his lack of athletic prowess makes him seem like an ordinary boy. But when Ethan gets home and discovers a glowing green puddle of light on the stairs, he falls into a world filled with dragons and danger--a world he must save. Expertly employing accents, pitch, and tone, Podehl gives distinctive voices to the large cast of characters, adding another lively dimension to an adventure reminiscent of a video game. His pacing is superb, matching the events of the story to great effect. This will be lots of fun for family listening.

Ages 8+

Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2018

Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins

Publisher: Well Spoken Books

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    THE BOOK OF THREE

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    A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.

    AGES 8+

    Pub Date: N/A

    Duration: 5 hrs

    Publisher: Listening Library

    Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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      POSY BATES, AGAIN

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      Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"

      Pub Date: N/A

      Duration: 1 hr

      Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers

      Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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