Donna Jo Napoli has a gift for wading into a subject and turning research into storytelling that’s sure to engage children. Narrator Christina Moore makes Napoli’s accounts of ancient Egyptian myths even more accessible and enjoyable with her conversational tone and emphasis on emotions. Connection is crucial to the success of this broad and encompassing view of Egyptian mythology, and audio achieves it well. The varying tones of the author and narrator flow smoothly as the stories of 17 Egyptian gods and goddesses dramatize the culture of the ancient Egyptian world. The lyrical descriptions of this world combined with contemporary informal language engage listeners and transport them back to earlier times.
(Mythology. 11-14)Pub Date: 2014
Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470397883
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A two-time Newbery Honor winner, Murphy is the king of nonfiction history for kids. This detailed accounting of the most costly single day of the Civil War lays out 1862's Battle of Antietam in the kind of bloody detail that gives one shudders. Murphy has a gift for elevating the individual stories of both generals and foot soldiers until they stand above the roiling uproar of a battle that toted up 23,000 casualties. Firsthand accounts shine in this compelling narrative. Kevin Orton lends even-handed authority to the gripping account with a voice that would suit a major network news anchor—only with more passion. Orton seems to be gripped by the unrelenting action in his narration, and he passes on that “you-are-there” feeling to readers.
Ages 8+Pub Date: 2009
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Quincy Surasmith narrates this middle reader work of nonfiction, which depicts, in graphic detail, the harrowing rescue of a youth soccer team and their coach, who were stuck in a flooded cave in Thailand. The narrative swings from emotional tension when the author focuses on the boys or their parents to tactical precision when she explains the inner workings of the cave system. Surasmith navigates these changes expertly in his narration. The technical aspects of the audiobook sound like they are delivered by a serious geography teacher. When the action of the rescue ratchets up, Surasmith narrates with an exasperation that makes listeners feel like they too are trapped in the cave. This informative, engaging yet pithy audiobook is suitable for all audiences.
(Nonfiction. 10-15)Pub Date: 2021
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781713547792
Publisher: Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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