An all-star cast of narrators and bestselling authors come together for a summery treat. Six interlocking short stories tell of young Black love during one night of a New York City blackout. Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s compelling voice transports listeners through the five acts of “The Long Walk,” Tiffany D. Jackson’s story, which interweaves between the others to chronicle two exes reconnecting on a long walk to a Brooklyn block party. Dion Graham gives a heartfelt performance as a character who is confessing a long-held crush in Nic Stone’s “Mask Off,” and the lively banter between Bahni Turpin and A.J. Beckles in Nicola Yoon’s story of hitting it off during a ride share is a delight. Each story sparkles with the excitement and joy of falling in love, and makes for excellent listening. E.E.C. 2022 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
(Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 22, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063088122
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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