Who killed editor Herman Q. Mildew? More than 80 noted authors and illustrators present their alibis and excuses in this anthology whose proceeds benefit the charity 826NYC, which supports creative writing for kids. Narrator Rebecca Gibel provides a welcome consistency to this diverse collection as her clear presentation helps to link the varied stories. Gibel manages to give each vignette individuality through subtle changes in pace and voicing. From a glum introvert for Peter Brown’s selection to a giddy tween for Julia DeVillers’s story, Gibel personalizes each selection with savvy narrative choices. Her competent versatility was an inspired choice for this material, which is challenging in its repetitiousness. The plethora of insider publishing jokes and repetitious premise may appeal to a limited audience, but Gibel strives to make each story distinct and memorable.
(Belles lettres. 10-12)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2013
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: AudioGo
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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