Narrator Barry Buckner channels the forthright voice of a young fencer in this realistic middle-grade audiobook. Multiracial brothers Donte and Trey Ellison attend a tony, overwhelmingly white, prep school, where dark-skinned Donte faces endless racist bullying and light-skinned Trey coasts with the popular crowd. After being unjustly arrested for a classroom offense committed by the fencing team's captain, Alan, Donte pours his outrage into becoming a fencing champion himself and beating Alan at his own game. Buckner delivers Donte's first-person narration with nuanced, rhythmic assurance, occasionally quickening his pace to indicate Donte's emotions or to heighten the tension during the back-and-forth beats of a fencing match. Similar to Jason Reynolds's Track series, this audiobook blends strong characterizations, timely content, and sports action.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 3, 2020
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549102202
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Hartsough is well cast in this middle-grade novel.
Sixth grader Margot Stafford is navigating school, family, and a burgeoning interest in art. The perceptive Margot carefully observes those around her and worries about her mom, who suffers from depression and has a concerning new boyfriend. In Eevin Hartsough’s depiction, Margot sounds youthful and reflective, as befits an artistic and caring 12-year-old who is struggling with math as well as with shifting friendships, but who finds new direction working at an art gallery in town. Hartsough capably portrays a full cast of characters, including a vaguely accented teacher; Margot's older brother, Eli; her mom; and a stern neighbor, among others.
Hartsough is well cast in this middle-grade novel. (Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 28 mins
DD ISBN: 9798898858520
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
A listen that will work best as a companion to the print book.
Cindy Kay narrates this first in a planned series. The story unfolds with the first meeting of the Skeleton and the Cat. The friendly Cat disturbs the Skeleton's solitary, peaceful home life, hoping to make a friend. Kay employs a perky, lighthearted voice for the Cat. He tries jokes, food, and dancing to make friends with the Skeleton, who does not joke, eat, or dance. She is aloof but never sounds unkind or impatient. As opposites often do, they become friends. Kay's narration is quiet, slow, and comforting, but unfortunately, some of the humor is visual and doesn’t translate to the audiobook.
A listen that will work best as a companion to the print book. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Duration: 9 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063577213
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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