Tenderness and depth ground the narration of this Stonewall Award-winning story about one girl's perspective-changing summer. Shortly after learning that her divorced dad is engaged, 13-year-old Dalia finds herself and her new friend, Rani, on a road trip to an amusement park with her prickly soon-to-be-stepsister, Alexa. Neither Dalia nor Alexa is eager to connect, but Dalia is thrilled and terrified by the chance to ride real roller coasters and explore her friendship-turned-crush with Rani. Narrator Em Grosland stirs Dalia's complicated stew of emotions with care, using tone and cadence to serve up her mixed emotions and all-too-relatable tween dorkiness. Never veering into mawkishness, Grosland's portrayal is respectful and authentic throughout, adding to this audiobook's appeal for young listeners experiencing their own seasons of growth and self-discovery.
(Fiction. 8-13)Pub Date: June 8, 2021
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593459201
Publisher: Listening Library
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.
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.
