Willowdean (Dumplin') is a fat girl who's content in her own skin. Narrator Eileen Stevens provides an appealing look into the workings of Will's mind. Will describes herself as a "cashier, Dolly Parton enthusiast, and resident fat girl." Her attitude is upbeat and positive, but she's not saccharine sweet. Stevens gives her appropriate teenaged snarkiness, and each deep sigh speaks volumes. When a big disappointment causes Will to lose her focus, she becomes anxious and insecure. Her mother coordinates the annual Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant, and, surprisingly, Will decides to enter--without losing weight. Soon more "outsider" teens enter as well. Stevens depicts body image issues, first romance, drag queens, and rebellious beauty queens. Listeners won't want to miss meeting this funny, original heroine.
(Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2015
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062421425
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A road trip, a love story, and a coming-of-age, all wonderfully told and narrated.
With carefully attuned narrations, Jorjeana Marie and Michael Crouch are in perfect sync as they perform alternating chapters of this novel in verse. Both express the emotions of the protagonists, 17-year-old Sylvie and 18-year-old Knox, who are each at a crossroads in their lives. Sylvie is recovering from a traumatic event before heading to college, and Knox is opting out of the nomadic lifestyle his mother chose for them when he was young. Fate sets Knox and Sylvie on a journey to find Knox’s grandmother in North Carolina. Together, Marie and Crouch convey the two characters’ immediate affinity for each other and their supportive friendship, which blossoms into love. Both narrators excel at snappy dialogue, and their pace embraces the gradual sharing of hidden hurts and evolving vulnerability.
A road trip, a love story, and a coming-of-age, all wonderfully told and narrated. (Verse romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 3 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063324619
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry.
Stephanie Rose and Alex Knox perform this cute, cozy teen romance in dual narration. Rory’s passion in life is cheerleading, and her goal is to win the big competition, but her plans hit a roadblock when a member of her squad is injured. Jacob is a soccer star turned cheerleader, and he’s willing to join the squad and save the day. Too bad he’s the most annoying person Rory has ever met. Rose’s expressive, lively voice portrays Rory’s reluctance and drive as she strives to do what's best for the cheer squad, while Knox’s warm, inviting timbre conveys Jacob’s charm and confidence.
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry. (Romance. 13-17)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063513457
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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