Leslie Howard's narration supplies all the teenage emotions needed for this thought-provoking story of two sisters who challenge each other's views on abortion in Baton Rouge, 1992. Taking feminist cues from punk rock bands and the Riot grrrl movement, pro-choice Athena and her pro-life sister, Helen, start a campaign to dispel the rumor that Helen had an abortion, an act that could get her expelled from school. Imbued with equal parts optimism and uncertainty, Howard's hushed tone keeps the story light--despite the mature topics of teenage pregnancy, abortion, racism, and bullying. Regardless of one's positions on these controversial topics, Howard's style and flow make for a good listen. While some listeners may find the persistent whispered tones distracting, overall the character voices are distinctive.
Ages 14+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781974973583
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 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
Narrator Phoebe Strole's expert approach to this contemporary fantasy shines. Winnie is one of the four Farthing sisters who've been told they're descendants of Persephone, the Greek goddess of the dead. While talking to the dead had always been the norm for the sisters, it wasn't until Winnie accidentally banished a resident ghost that she came to believe that she and her sisters could be special. When the underworld attempts to converge with their world, the Farthing girls must rise to the challenge of stopping them. Strole delivers the story with poise and an occasional sprinkle of humor. The dialogue between these four sisters--simple and airy as delivered by Strole--makes the story flow.
(Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217290291
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
