The patron saint of audiobooks must surely have been watching over this production. It’s got colorful, carefully crafted characters, a cinematic story--a British youth, obsessed with saints, finds a cash bonanza--and a dazzling read by Simon Jones. Boyce’s story operates as a clever mystery, a parable about greed, a lesson in recovery from loss, and an example, like HUCKLEBERRY FINN, of a book about children that works for all ages. Narrator Jones’s strongest gift isn’t his array of British accents (which he does effortlessly) or his timing (which is impeccable); it is his empathy--an uncanny ability to put the listener inside the mind of a spiritually conflicted child. If you’re wondering what separates the good from the great in audiobook narration--check out this Golden Voice.
(Fiction. 11-14)Pub Date: Jan. 29, 2008
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780060858902
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full.
This full cast audio rendition of a graphic memoir conveys the energy and brightness of that visual medium. The story recounts Pedro’s challenging but hopeful and humorous childhood as a migrant farmworker in the U.S., growing up with dreams of a life in the arts. Sound effects and musical interludes punctuate the narrative. Plates rattle as an earthquake shakes a restaurant, and birds sing in the bushes on a berry farm as Pedro’s family works. The animated performances by this large cast, especially the boyish voice of Oscar Emmanuel Fabela as Pedro, are perfect to hook preteen listeners—and adults, too.
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full. (Graphic memoir. 10-16)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217349708
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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