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I'M BRAVE

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Jonathan Banks’s narration radiates pride as he chronicles a fire engine’s day from station to fire emergency and back again. With firm confidence, he catalogs the equipment and tools housed on the truck—chocks, mauls, and Halligan tools included. His pacing is such that young listeners will thoughtfully picture each item. As the fire call comes in, Banks’s voice crescendos and speeds as the engine barks out orders. Accompanying sound effects and music mirror the rising action. Listeners of all ages will relish this addition to the McMullan stable of working vehicles.

(Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015

Duration: 7 mins

Publisher: Weston Woods Studios

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    BROWN GIRL DREAMING

    A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry.

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    Woodson originally narrated her memoir in 2014, and this updated production features a lively chorus of voices, a new bonus chapter, and testimonies about the legacy of Brown Girl Dreaming. The audiobook opens with spare guitar music, and Woodson narrates her new, emotion-filled introduction. The chorus—Denée Benton, Marley Dias, Dominique Fishback, Big Freedia, Montego Glover, Nicole Ari Parker, Tika Sumpter, and Lena Waithe—then jumps in, each contributor delivering one poem and passing the mic to another voice for the next. The variety of voices adds a little spice, as their narration styles are very different from one another. Snappy musical interludes by Toshi Reagon feature before each section.

    A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry. (Memoir/poetry. 8-12)

    Pub Date: May 12, 2026

    Duration: 4 hrs, 11 mins

    DD ISBN: 9798217175611

    Publisher: Listening Library

    Review Posted Online: May 22, 2026

    Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026

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      FRIEND GROUP

      From the Friend Group series

      Morris delivers a charmingly relatable performance.

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      Cassandra Lee Morris captures the joys—and horrors—of seventh grade with her enthusiastic narration. Sadie is starting middle school along with her lifelong best friend, Olive. But when Sadie is accidentally added to the group chat for her grade's elite clique, she starts to feel that maybe one friend isn't enough. Morris perfectly captures the judgmental flippancy of a self-conscious seventh grade girl as Sadie attempts to hold onto her friendship with Olive. With careful intonation, Morris delivers every permutation of "LOL" in the text exchanges and conveys all the awkward feelings and nerve-wracking moments that Sadie experiences.

      Morris delivers a charmingly relatable performance. (Fiction. 8-12)

      Pub Date: May 5, 2026

      Duration: 6 hrs, 37 mins

      DD ISBN: 9780063456037

      Publisher: Harper Audio

      Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026

      Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026

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