Author Lois Lowry narrates a heartrending historical account of lives lost during the events of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima--all told in verse. Lowry details her childhood memories of growing up in Hawaii and later moving to Japan, including reverent depictions of sailors and citizens who perished during the horrendous events of WWII. Lowry's well-paced and gentle narration guides listeners through tragedy and hope, creating an approachable and immersive depiction that maintains emotional intensity. Her beautiful and sincere performance is intended for young listeners but doesn't require the illustrations in the print edition--although they would make an excellent companion to the audiobook.
(Memoir/poetry. 10-14)Pub Date: April 7, 2020
Duration: 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593151013
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
A gutsy coming-of-age story that never runs out of gas.
Mehr Dudeja brings 12-year-old motocross daredevil Eva to life with thrilling verve. Wearing the helmet, she’s Eva Knievel, fearlessly tearing up dirt tracks; at middle school, she hides behind a mask of quiet anonymity, keeping her racing life secret after brutal bullying forces her into hiding. When a new moto girl arrives at school, Eva’s careful wall between her two selves starts to crack, just as a bad crash exposes the financial, physical, and emotional costs of her dirt-biking dreams. Dudeja voices the bike’s roars and revs with gleeful precision, and her performance captures a tween spitfire who’s always bursting with energy or bracing for the next fall.
A gutsy coming-of-age story that never runs out of gas. (Verse fiction. 10-13)Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217342266
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
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