Violet, a popular girl who is still reeling from the death of her older sister in a car accident that she survived, and Finch, a “freak” who is struggling to cope with bipolar disorder, met on the ledge of the school’s bell tower. Who saved whom? Kirby Heyborne is outstanding as Finch, using pacing and tone to make the young man believable as he navigates his mania and depression, dreaming up ways to die, then finding reasons to embrace life. Ariadne Meyers projects the voice of a well-loved but damaged teenager who is afraid to reenter life but is drawn to this new friend who needs her as much as she needs him. The story—dark and sad yet clever and funny—shines a light on the timely and important issue of teen mental illness. N.E.M. 2016 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
(Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2015
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780553552201
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Desean Terry delivers a touching performance of this reimagining of "The Great Gatsby," in which the protagonists are gay Black prep school students. Aspiring journalist Nick Carrington leaves Oklahoma to begin school at Harlem's West Egg Academy. Out of his element, Nick keeps his gay identity a closely held secret, but love interest Jay Gatsby Jr.--the academy founder's son--openly embraces his own gay identity. As they write letters to each other, each more daring and affectionate than the last, they receive threats that their budding relationship will be exposed in the school newspaper. Terry clearly presents every piece of dialogue that warrants an emotional charge and adds subtle suspense to his straightforward tone when needed. Terry's narration is always on the money.
(Historical fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063312517
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An exceptional and authentic listening experience.
Three narrators—the author and his real-life wife and brother—each tell this heartfelt and witty story with their own approach. Carter is stuck in a loop. Every year on his birthday, he turns 16 again and forgets the previous year, while everyone else, including his younger brother, Lincoln, ages normally. But loop six seems different, and Carter, supported by his family and former girlfriend, Maggie, will do anything to end the cycle. As the three narrators introduce each character’s perspective and deliver their experiences with emotional depth, the dynamic between Carter, Lincoln, and Maggie sounds natural and complex.
An exceptional and authentic listening experience.Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063330405
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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