Author Lois Lowry's voice joins those of Lauren Ezzo and Andrew Gibson. Each narrates a novella inspired by the Windeby child, a 2,000-year-old body found in a German bog in 1952. In "Estrild's Story," Ezzo evinces restrained ferocity for the tale of a girl who longs to become a warrior, a role her people's customs forbid. Gibson brings out the protagonist's sensitivity in "Varick's Story" as the disabled orphan finds joy in nature, relieving the feelings of marginalization he suffers. Lowry's calm, deliberate tones recount how learning of the body compelled her to imagine the circumstances that led to the child's death and how reading new research caused her to reimagine her fiction. Taken together, this audiobook is a fascinating look at the creative process.
(Fiction/nonfiction hybrid. 9-13)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2023
Duration: 3 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063287310
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Rey’s timeless performance makes this medieval adventure fascinating, frightening, and fun.
Elena Rey holds listeners’ attention firmly in her grasp with her narration of this middle-grade historical fiction. Twelve-year-old Blanca is chosen by her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, to marry the prince of France. As Blanca travels from Spain, she learns lessons about how to be a queen from Eleanor and lessons about life from the difficult journey. Rey voices young Blanca, Queen Eleanor, and various male characters with equal aplomb. Eleanor sounds imperious and aged; Blanca is assuredly royal yet a still preteen; and the knights are chivalrous, pompous, and a bit overzealous. Rey’s royal harrumphs and sniffs and childish scoffs and whines add to the enjoyable soundscape.
Rey’s timeless performance makes this medieval adventure fascinating, frightening, and fun. (Historical fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217287901
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Higginbottom captures Rose’s spirited determination and anger as she fights for her existence.
Narrator Erin Higginbottom creates a youthful voice for 12-year-old Rose, whose native Métis community is being threatened by Canadian settlers during the North-West Resistance of 1885. Rose has always been drawn to more traditionally male activities, and when a battle breaks out between her people and the Canadian soldiers, she desperately wants to contribute. Finally, her opportunity arrives, and she volunteers for a dangerous mission that could help make a difference. Higginbottom brings Rose and her family to life in this historical story of standing in resistance alongside those you love in the face of great danger.
Higginbottom captures Rose’s spirited determination and anger as she fights for her existence. (Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547614776
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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