Joey Florez juggles the many facets of this audiobook. Depicting seventh grader Alex Ramirez, a neurodivergent student, Florez honors both the character and the verse format of the story. He gives his narration a definitive rhythm. Periodically, Ramirez uses fluid Spanish that reflects Alex's heritage and adds another rhythm to the narration. Alex has been in an SC (self-contained) classroom since a third-grade conflict landed a former friend in the hospital. Florez's narration reveals Alex's intelligence and curiosity, frustration with the limitations on his learning and with bullying, passion for space, and determination to escape his narrow bounds and enter a mainstream science class, his first step in attaining his dreams.
(Verse fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217071289
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Convincing advice on putting the phone down.
Authors Haidt and Price, along with a variety of voices representing today's youth, team up to deliver an empowering argument for why it's beneficial for kids and teens to turn away from smartphones and social media. In a relatable tone, Haidt and Price explain the history of smartphones and the research behind the pitfalls of social media. They make compelling points about how apps can cause us to waste time, and they offer smart advice specific to their young audience on how not to fall for the trap of social media, along with ideas for how they might spend their time instead. The selection of different young voices sharing their opinions and experiences on nixing apps further validates and supports the positive aspects of using social media less.
Convincing advice on putting the phone down. (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Dec. 30, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217169436
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Xe Sands's strong narration reflects the promise in the title of this children's audio on the topic of a parent's serious illness. Her variations on the refrain "love stays strong" serve as a continual affirmation throughout, and her tender tone sounds like she's addressing an adored child. Sands's lyrical cadences emphasize changes in the natural world and how the seasons' turns relate to the changes illness brings. She compares the miracle of how "a few drops of honey can fuel a bee's flight around the world" to the power provided by a child's love. The tone, tempo, and images of this audiobook make for a reassuring listen. The afterword shows the author's range of expertise as she gently offers advice on how adults can comfort children and aid their understanding of a loved one's illness.
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
Duration: 5 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217081561
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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