Narrator Emily Rankin brings us into the world of 11-year-old Annabelle. Her voice is soft and gentle, reflecting Annabelle’s tranquil life on a quiet Pennsylvania farm during WWII—that is, until Rankin contrasts Annabelle’s thoughtful tone with the menace in the voice of Betty Glengarry, a bully. Rankin registers Annabelle’s fear of Betty’s increasing mockery, lies, and threats. Annabelle’s reactions to Betty echo her discomfort with the larger world, which seems to be dissolving her innocence as prejudice and cruelty overtake her rural town. Rankin’s precise tone also gives a sense of the calmness of Annabelle’s mother, the narrow-mindedness of Annabelle’s snippy aunt, and the reticence of a kindly WWI veteran. Rankin’s shifting voice captures the growing ugliness in Annabelle’s formerly idyllic town and her determination to take a stand against it.
(Historical fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: April 26, 2016
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780451485663
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Arserio perfectly captures Hafsa’s boldness as she fights for herself and others.
Narrator Shiromi Arserio establishes a determined voice for Hafsa, a Pakistani village girl who longs to attend a summer science camp focused on medicine in the city to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. At first, her parents firmly reject the idea, but after her sister’s husband insists that Hafsa could stay with them, her father relents. Arserio beautifully portrays Hafsa’s disappointment when she learns that the camp’s topic is climate change instead of medicine, and her resilience when she makes the most of it anyway. When Hafsa takes up the cause of finding a new home with better conditions for an elephant at the local zoo, Arserio’s energetic narration brings the story to life.
Arserio perfectly captures Hafsa’s boldness as she fights for herself and others. (Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280414
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
A heartfelt audiobook for the entire family to enjoy.
With a youthful voice, Jeff Ebner brings much emotion to this realistic middle-grade novel. Ten-year-old Nathan Savage is consumed with worry that the gigantic pile of trash across the street from his home is about to collapse. He’s even more worried that his father, who works at the top of said pile, is in extreme danger. It’s up to Nathan to devise a flawless plan to save the day. Ebner’s fast-paced, energetic narration moves the action along, engaging young listeners to the very last word.
A heartfelt audiobook for the entire family to enjoy. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280445
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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