Ruffin Prentiss captures the angst of 13-year-old Malcolm Montgomery as the teen balances the uncertainty of foster care with the daily turmoil he experiences in middle school. Tops on Malcolm's list of things to do: Be adopted "before it's too late." When his new school begins to implement an AI-powered robot in the classroom and he is chosen to maintain it, the bullies pounce on him. Prentiss brings out the awkwardness of a time of great emotional change as Malcolm seeks acceptance at school and at home. His best intentions seem to go awry at every turn, making the balance between the two even more difficult to manage. After testing begins at school, things go off the rails for the teen in a hilarious yet heartwarming way.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798896792925
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Tara Novie's youthful voice reflects a sense of wonder for the topic of this audiobook: whales. While her bright delivery contrasts with the somberness of those majestic animals that were pushed out of former habitats by human expansion, she does convey a sense of hope as the Hudson River flows clear again and the whales return. In the second part of the audiobook, Novie's tone becomes more grounded as she details historical and environmental insights relating to the Hudson Highlands River's troubled past and activism that led to the 1972 Clean Water Act. Novie conveys the urgency of this environmental issue and humanity's role in shaping an optimistic future.
(Informational picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 22 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250386755
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
M.L. Sanchez introduces listeners to Wanda, a real-life Puerto Rican child who, after seeing the magic of the stars on a fishing trip, grows up to be an astrophysicist. She goes to college but, tragically, loses her vision to diabetes. Wanda's determination and dedication, along with her friends and assistants, are rivetingly portrayed by Sanchez. The moment that a friend introduces her to sonification--radio sounds from space that enable her to envision the stars--is beautifully described. Because Wanda observes by hearing patterns and anomalies, she discovers something in the stars no one else has ever noticed. Interspersed Spanish words add a multicultural touch. Audio enables listeners to journey with Wanda while learning scientific terms and benefitting from her refrain: "Never give up!"
(Picture-book biography. 6-9)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349104459
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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