Young listeners who are curious about how Muhammad Ali developed his boxing prowess, strong principles, and distinctive verbosity won't want to miss this biographical audiobook from two literary heavyweights. The story follows Ali--then called Cassius Clay--from his early teen years in Louisville to his first national Golden Gloves title. While prose chapters--told from the perspective of Cassius's friend, Lucky--provide helpful context, the verse chapters are where author/narrator Kwame Alexander truly shines. Alexander's dynamic hip-hop-influenced delivery is ideally suited to Cassius's swagger, and he channels Cassius's ebullient grandiosity while grounding listeners in the young athlete's dedication to his sport and his roots. The result is an audiobook that's fast, pretty, and powerful--just like Ali himself.
(Biographical novel. 8-12)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549186332
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ken Coleman's expertise as a baseball announcer enriches this history of the Boston Red Sox since the sale of Babe Ruth to the N.Y. Yankees. He leads off with a grim account of this transaction, which started the curse that has plagued the Red Sox ever since. The sermon-like tone will amuse non-believers and comfort listeners who are certain the team is cursed. Like the ups and downs of Boston's play through the years, the narrator's voice fluctuates--exuberant and then despondent--in tone and tempo accurately reflecting the mood of any given baseball season. The narrator is very successful at conveying the emotional roller coaster ride Red Sox fans have endured as a result of the curse of the Bambino.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry.
Woodson originally narrated her memoir in 2014, and this updated production features a lively chorus of voices, a new bonus chapter, and testimonies about the legacy of Brown Girl Dreaming. The audiobook opens with spare guitar music, and Woodson narrates her new, emotion-filled introduction. The chorus—Denée Benton, Marley Dias, Dominique Fishback, Big Freedia, Montego Glover, Nicole Ari Parker, Tika Sumpter, and Lena Waithe—then jumps in, each contributor delivering one poem and passing the mic to another voice for the next. The variety of voices adds a little spice, as their narration styles are very different from one another. Snappy musical interludes by Toshi Reagon feature before each section.
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry. (Memoir/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217175611
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: May 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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