Moose Flanagan moves to Alcatraz Island when his father accepts a job as a prison guard. It's 1935, and Al Capone is the island's most famous inmate. Moose gains popularity at his new school on the mainland for being a good ballplayer and having his laundry done by the prisoners. At home on the island, the attention comes from having an autistic sister who is perpetually 10. Johnny Heller has the ideal voice for a teenaged boy. You can picture the adolescent confusion, youthful enthusiasm, and humor, as well as the physical changes taking place. Heller's rendition of the story's female characters--sister Natalie, local queen bee Piper, and the pesky 7-year-old Teresa--is also exceptional. Choldenko has written a wonderful children's book, which Heller allows adults to enjoy as well. A.B. 2005 ALA Notable Recording, 2005 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
Ages 10+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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