Thirteen-year-old San Lee has just moved to another new middle school, where he has no friends and no prospects until he answers a few questions about the finer points of Zen Buddhism and his teacher and the prettiest, most mysterious girl in class take notice. Suddenly, fudging a few personal facts and passing himself off as a Zen master doesn't seem like a bad idea. Mike Chamberlain delivers an endearing and mortifyingly honest performance as he narrates a story filled with humor, innocence, and teen angst. One can't help but root for a book that combines Eastern philosophies with Woody Guthrie and basketball. A listening treat.
Young AdultPub Date: Feb. 4, 2008
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Tune your ear to a rap beat and prepare for a great listen. It's 1999, and Pernell, a failing high school student, uses a pen recorder to capture his thoughts for posterity in case the Y2K hysteria is true and civilization collapses. Author and narrator Idris Goodwin showcases the personalities of Pernell's caring parents and friends, as well as an antagonistic teacher, through tone. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to determine who's speaking, but Goodwin's approach definitely works. Pernell is thoroughly likable. He's smart but often derailed by ADHD. Rapping is his thing. He records his triumphs and struggles, including his attempts to be the Cypher King of summer school. Listeners will find that his sincerity and occasional self-doubts ring true.
(Verse fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2025
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668147696
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
January LaVoy pulls listeners into a world in which motives are unclear. Jordyn, a first-year student at a historically Black college, finds her roommate's brother--just out of prison--sleeping on their couch. While he soon wows their friends with his outgoing personality, Jordyn senses that something about him is off, big-time. LaVoy's ability to shift seamlessly between cool confidence, vulnerable self-doubt, and simmering menace adds layers of complexity to the central character, keeping the listener guessing where the truth ends and manipulation begins. LaVoy's nuanced timing heightens moments of suspense, while her emotional depth grounds the narrative in authenticity. The result is an immersive audio experience that amplifies the tension and intrigue.
(Thriller. 15-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063271302
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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