Narrator Kyla Garcia deftly creates a middle school, its ethnically diverse students, and their eclectic encounters. To start, listeners will join baseball player Lupe Wong, who's chagrined to learn that her PE class will require square dancing. Garcia's Lupe is a determined girl who strongly resists the gym assignment and persuades her classmates to join her in protest. Listeners hear the square dance calls as the kids practice. Garcia shines at portraying Niles, a special needs student, and snaggletoothed Gordon, whose enthusiasm for square dancing makes up for the reluctance of his classmates. Most engaging is a family dinner with Lupe's Chinese and Mexican grandparents--the lively conversation is priceless. The multiple accents throughout the story are well done. This spirited story promotes friendship and collaboration.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781662039904
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 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
Guevara hits a homer with her upbeat delivery of one girl’s quest to “play ball!”
Attention to detail marks this nonfiction production narrated by Daisy Guevara. Listeners will hear music and many baseball-related sound effects, including the flipping of pages in the Little League rule book—no girls allowed! In 1972, Maria Pepe was playing Little League baseball with the backing of her coach and teammates. Opposing teams protested. Despite her proficiency, Maria was banned. The National Organization of Women, however, helped Maria sue and win the right for future girls to play Little League. Guevara is superb in creating character voices for the young, earnest Maria and for the supportive adults. She employs darker voices for the comments of the men who resented and intimidated Maria.
Guevara hits a homer with her upbeat delivery of one girl’s quest to “play ball!” (Picture-book biography. 5-7)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654705
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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