Narrators Eric B. Anthony's and Landon Woodson's tense, emotional performances will draw listeners into a Savannah neighborhood where a dangerous plot threatens to tear apart two young men who are discovering love for the first time. Woodson takes on a youthful, unassuming voice for Jay, a romantic who is used to being overlooked until he literally collides with Leroy, an empathic teen who has faced his fair share of challenges. Anthony's intonations and harder tone work well to emphasize Leroy's dialogue and vernacular. When danger arrives, the teens find safety in an interconnected network of friends and family who are vibrantly portrayed by both narrators. Their voices are bright and soulful for the good times and turn solemn as loyalties shift.
(Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063264953
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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