A two-time Newbery Honor winner, Murphy is the king of nonfiction history for kids. This detailed accounting of the most costly single day of the Civil War lays out 1862's Battle of Antietam in the kind of bloody detail that gives one shudders. Murphy has a gift for elevating the individual stories of both generals and foot soldiers until they stand above the roiling uproar of a battle that toted up 23,000 casualties. Firsthand accounts shine in this compelling narrative. Kevin Orton lends even-handed authority to the gripping account with a voice that would suit a major network news anchor—only with more passion. Orton seems to be gripped by the unrelenting action in his narration, and he passes on that “you-are-there” feeling to readers.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A heavy subject, worthy of discussion.
Will Collyer brings to vivid life the fears and frustrations of young men facing challenging, life-and-death situations in a hostile environment. Fleming’s latest is based on her father’s experience in a WWII battle fought on an Aleutian island. Charlie Groth is a medic, easing pain and giving comfort while rescuing the wounded from the battlefield. In letters home, he expresses his love and homesickness, but he doesn’t share the realities of war, including dying soldiers and harsh living conditions. The journal of Japanese physician Paul Tatsuguchi gives voice to his struggles as he tries to balance his faith, his loyalty to his country, and his respect for the United States, where he became a doctor.
A heavy subject, worthy of discussion. (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798225079796
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 13, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people.
Jenyvette Vega narrates these poems, which chronicle Puerto Rico's struggle for self-determination. She shifts seamlessly between Spanish and English as listeners learn about the history of the flag and what it represents to the Puerto Rican people, as well as about key events in Puerto Rican history and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Vega reads at a gentle pace appropriate for young listeners. A preface provides background on Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, and an included PDF details the history of the people and events portrayed in the poems.
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063577176
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
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