Narrator Moira Quirk delivers all the passion of 11-year old Pippa, an orphan who tends horses near Athens. When the gods of Mount Olympus choose their winged horses and riders to compete in the race that determines Zeus's next steed, Pippa is surprised to learn that she has been called up. The stakes are high, as the winning jockey will get to live on Mount Olympus with the gods and the winning backer gets to be Zeus for a day. Pippa's meek yet determined voice perfectly fits her demeanor, while the sharp voices of the doubters who surround her create an excellent juxtaposition. Listeners, especially lovers of fantastical creatures, will enjoy this adventurous tale of bravery and perseverance.
(Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: March 17, 2020
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063011960
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A magical blending of fantasy and reality.
Narrator Emily Eiden's expressive rendition of Auden "Denny" Greene and her best friend Runa is feminine and childlike, suitable for a tale of girls on the cusp of turning 12. Denny and Runa manifest their active imaginations in a magical world they call Sorrowfeld, filled with dragons and princesses, but Denny is dismayed to find that Runa seems to be growing out of this world and into a new phase of her life. Denny, however, still needs the escapism of Sorrowfeld to cope with challenging circumstances in her real life—while in Sorrowfeld, Princess Auden struggles against actual dragons.
A magical blending of fantasy and reality. (Fantasy. 8-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063348189
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Narrator Sorcha Groundsell brings to life 11-year-old Gwen MacKinnon, who is sent to spend several weeks with her Great-Uncle Matthew, sparing her a stay with her inattentive dad. There, she's delighted to make friends with his dog, Pumpkin, who accompanies her to the town library. Groundsell's tone imbues this story with intrigue, also fostering listener interest with her well-timed delivery. Her American accents are a bit exaggerated in contrast to the accents of the Scottish characters in the story. Scottish elements include a thoughtfully rendered girl who is leaving her small town in Scotland for Massachusetts in 1866, Clan MacKinnon, and the Lahdukan, small magical winged creatures in the library whom Gwen can see.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593915691
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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