Convincing advice on putting the phone down.
Authors Haidt and Price, along with a variety of voices representing today's youth, team up to deliver an empowering argument for why it's beneficial for kids and teens to turn away from smartphones and social media. In a relatable tone, Haidt and Price explain the history of smartphones and the research behind the pitfalls of social media. They make compelling points about how apps can cause us to waste time, and they offer smart advice specific to their young audience on how not to fall for the trap of social media, along with ideas for how they might spend their time instead. The selection of different young voices sharing their opinions and experiences on nixing apps further validates and supports the positive aspects of using social media less.
Convincing advice on putting the phone down. (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Dec. 30, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217169436
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 10, 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
Together, author and narrator create a three-dimensional character to root for.
Sunny Lu’s soft and youthful voice is perfect for April, a 12-year-old theater geek who happens to need a tracheostomy tube to help her breathe. April believes that her audition for the school play went so well that she’s sure to get the lead, so she’s devastated when she is confined to a backstage role because of her disability. Lu adapts her tone to each supporting character—April’s Chinese American parents; her best friend, Ruby, who lives by tarot cards; school bully Graham; and Zahra, whose activist mother wants to see more Muslims on the stage. April’s underhanded strategy to grab back the lead role sows discord until she finds a solution.
Together, author and narrator create a three-dimensional character to root for. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217295906
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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