Dark, dismal, and scary—and no, it's not a horror novel (unless you're the parent of teenagers). Hopkins's novel follows the story of Kristina and her involvement in drugs, sex, and rape. Despite Kristina’s dreadful encounters, the writing and narration of this work are a true treasure. Hopkins has written the text in free verse, which is amazing in itself, and Laura Flanagan’s narration takes the story to a completely new height. Sounding like a young, scared teenager, Flanagan makes it impossible for the listener to turn off the recording. She uses Hopkins’s carefully chosen line breaks as cues for adolescent vocal inflections and gives the impression that she has read, contemplated, and understood every single one of Hopkins's words. As depressing and shocking as it can be, this production is riveting.
Young AdultPub Date: Feb. 4, 2008
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Rich language, relatable feelings, and powerful storytelling unite in this successful audiobook.
Acevedo moves listeners with her dramatic plot, poignant emotions, and fresh images as she soothes with her rhythmic, lyrical narration. Seventeen-year-old Liliana’s impulsiveness has landed her in the juvenile justice system. After Lil returns home and faces a court appearance, Acevedo conveys her shame for bringing turmoil to her loving Indigenous Salvadoran and Afro-Dominican family. Lil chafes against legal constraints that demand she live life cautiously, often against her own intuition, as she returns to school without her best friends or the support of her beloved older brother, Aldwin, who is away at college. Lil is worried about Aldwin’s instability, and this care puts her in a precarious position.
Rich language, relatable feelings, and powerful storytelling unite in this successful audiobook. (Verse fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063574236
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
Pabon breathes life into this story of a father and son desperate to connect.
After the death of his beloved mother, Miles is spending a year with his estranged father, Jake. Jake owns a failing art house movie theater, and he’s pinned his hopes on convincing a famous Spanish director to show her latest film there. Jake and Miles set off on a trip through Spain, searching for the director and rebuilding their relationship along the way. Timothy Andrés Pabon's pronunciation of Spanish words and phrases brings authenticity to descriptions of the food, traditions, and landmarks. His emotional portrayals of a broken teen and a yearning father who reach for yet miss each other will simultaneously break listeners' hearts and give them hope.
Pabon breathes life into this story of a father and son desperate to connect. (Fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217348589
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 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.
