As narrator Ariana Delawari portrays fifth-grader Winnie, other voices join in and express the playfulness of this story. Winnie's parents are divorcing. Delawari plays up the irony of their demands for equal time and their competition in celebrating every ridiculous holiday--like Peach Cobbler Day. When Winnie spends Wednesdays alone in the elaborate tree house between her parents' two homes, Delawari makes Winnie's mounting frustration clear. She just wants to finish her homework assignment so she doesn't fail fifth grade. Multiple voices chime in as Winnie's nine classmates deliver compassion, recipes, details of craft projects, and their own dissatisfactions. The additional voices are a great way to represent the children's diversity. Their contributions also suggest the story's many forms of communication--from sticky notes to newspaper articles.
. (Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: May 16, 2017
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781524776268
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Through Andromeda’s story, young listeners will learn more about the justice system and their rights.
Fifth grader Andromeda Diaz is concerned about her friend, Benji, who has been accused of stealing a valuable watch and is now facing charges. Andi, the daughter of two public defenders, doesn’t believe he committed the crime, and she works to figure out what really happened. Author Almanza, who was herself a public defender, performs her own work enthusiastically. Her narration style is casual, at times not quite nailing the rhythm of the text. While she’s not a professional narrator, her knowledge of the legal process shines through.
Through Andromeda’s story, young listeners will learn more about the justice system and their rights. (Mystery. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217352364
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full.
This full cast audio rendition of a graphic memoir conveys the energy and brightness of that visual medium. The story recounts Pedro’s challenging but hopeful and humorous childhood as a migrant farmworker in the U.S., growing up with dreams of a life in the arts. Sound effects and musical interludes punctuate the narrative. Plates rattle as an earthquake shakes a restaurant, and birds sing in the bushes on a berry farm as Pedro’s family works. The animated performances by this large cast, especially the boyish voice of Oscar Emmanuel Fabela as Pedro, are perfect to hook preteen listeners—and adults, too.
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full. (Graphic memoir. 10-16)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217349708
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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