Bloor's novel comes across well on audio, thanks to narrator Julie Dretzin. While delivering a subtle, nuanced interpretation of each character, she especially shines with her teeth-grinding, haughty rendering of the story's villainous Cornelia Whittaker Austin. This is satire with a capital "S." Whittaker Magnet School, with its motto of "Leave No High-Scoring Child Behind," has found a way of manipulating the school district to reach out, octopus-like, to capture the homes of really smart kids. Worse yet, people seem to have a bad habit of becoming "possessed" during Whittaker's story time--frequently ending up dead! Recently roped-in students Kate and George find that, with nothing to do but practice testing for the renowned "test-based curriculum," they have plenty of time to investigate the mysterious goings-on. While humorous and macabre, this story contains quite a bit of violence and is best suited to a YA audience.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2006
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by.
Sylvie Castellano goes on an unexpected adventure with a vintage gold watch and Penn, the ghost who comes along with it. Barbara Castano’s narration expresses 18-year-old Sylvie’s loneliness. She’s recovering from a concussion, and while her family members' lives continue without her, Sylvie wishes for a more fulfilled life; she wants to have fun as well as take on new responsibilities. Alongside Penn, Sylvie embarks on a series of summer activities, which Castano describes beautifully. But Castano's optimistic tones turn grave as the story unfolds.
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by. (Speculative romance. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547619481
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
This young adult audiobook is full of secrets and lies.
When they were 4, identical twins Aria and Caliste’s mother, Grace, disappeared, and the sisters were separated. Years later, Grace’s body is discovered in a lake haunted by the Ghoul. The two young women travel to Minnesota and uncover family secrets—including each other’s existence. Narrators Rebecca Ho and Chantria Tram capture the twins’ emotions as they discover what has been kept hidden from them. Carolina Do exquisitely performs the point of view of the Ghoul. However, audible pick-ups make this production sound uneven and may distract from the listening experience.
This young adult audiobook is full of secrets and lies.Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217157983
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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