James Shippy narrates this sequel to GHETTO COWBOY (2011), which is the basis for the new Netflix movie CONCRETE COWBOY. Now 14, Cole returns to his father's home in Philadelphia's Black cowboy community. To pay off a debt, Cole's father commits Cole to work the summer as a stable boy, caring for polo ponies at a military academy. Shippy strikes a realistic balance between a gritty teen in a tough neighborhood and a thoughtful kid trying to do the right thing. White polo players bully Cole and Ruthie, the academy's only Black cadet. Shippy portrays these players as snobbish but not so awful as to be irredeemable. Cole learns to like and play polo but struggles to bridge his two worlds. Other characters include a smooth-talking drug dealer and a host of elderly Black cowboys.
(Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 12, 2021
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781713629894
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In her clear, expressive voice, bilingual narrator M.L. Sanchez tells the exciting story of mouse siblings Vida and Máximo. The town of Moustepec was once happy, but the threat of a cat forces residents to stay home. There are no more fiestas, no more fireworks, and no more music. When a scary encounter with the cat results in Vida's dream about a fantastical creature called an alebrije, it inspires a plan to get rid of the cat once and for all with the help of the whole town. An extensive author's note offers a history of the Mexican tradition of the alebrije; another note reveals the story's inspiration. Sanchez's pacing adds to this enjoyable adventure for young listeners.
(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349108686
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Robb Moreira summons a mythic tone for this original spinoff of the Aztec creation story. In Higuera's story, the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl's lesser-known brother, Xolotl, recounts "what really happened." Xolo has a dog's head, paws, and, most importantly, a love of humankind. Moreira's declamatory tones suit the epic nature of the story but also sometimes flatten the nuances of Higuera's characterizations. Listeners who don't seek out the print edition to accompany the audiobook will miss illustrator Mariana Ruiz Johnson's strikingly stylized figures, colorfully lush design, and critical narrative detail that's often communicated only in the illustrations. Those who do read and listen will occasionally find themselves zooming past wordless sequences that demand close attention. Both otherworldly and sweet--and perhaps best enjoyed in print.
(Mythology. 7-10)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 1 hr
DD ISBN: 9798899735035
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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