What's truth, what's myth? Did Maniac Magee really do all those amazing feats and deeds, or is it just story? Orphaned at 3 and raised by hateful relatives, Jeffrey Lionel Magee finally runs away--and lands in Two Mills, Pennsylvania, and the stories begin. Winner of the 1991 Newbery Medal, MANIAC MAGEE is a touching story about a boy who makes a difference because he doesn't allow pre-conceived notions, prejudice, and others' expectations to interfere with his behaviors and his life. S. Epatha Merkerson does a masterful job as Amanda, Mars Bar, Maniac, and the narrator, as well as the other characters who inhabit the story. Her tone, diction, and accent clearly differentiate those from the East Side and the West. She gives her characters strength, individuality, and attitude, while the narrator remains neutral yet amused by the stories and the legend of this unflappable boy. A superb rendering of an exceptional book!
. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 4 hrs, 24 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
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
An engaging performance by Cary Hite enlivens this accessible history of basketball for young listeners, with a focus on the men's game and an "overtime" section devoted to the women's. Hite narrates with relish and an audible appreciation for the sport's evolution from a glorified game of hot potato to today's fast-paced competitions. Hite gives listeners a courtside view of hardwood feats from legendary ballers as they elevate the game with signature moves and lead the way forward for successive generations of players alongside crucial developments, such as the introduction of shot clocks and the Harlem Globetrotters' skillful, exciting play style. This informative production, paired with a warm and assured narration, has appeal for all ages.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654729
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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