Ally Nickerson has kept her learning difficulties hidden in seven different schools. But her sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Daniels, recognizes her troubles--and her vivid imagination. This story might be preachy without its quirky characters and Kathleen McInerney's energetic narration. McInerney balances the heartfelt emotions about struggle and friendship with a distinctive portrayal of every character, adding depth to the story. She voices Ally's discomfort in a way that seems painful, but she also projects Ally's strength when she stands up to a teacher who shows prejudice towards her friend Keisha. The other main characters are well defined--Keisha comes through clearly, and the robotic-sounding voice of Albert seems apt for his brilliance. Secondary characters are also clear, especially the kind Mr. Daniels and a menacing bully.
(Fiction. 10-12)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2015
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101890684
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
While narrator Liam Aiken evokes the wistful, dolorous tone of Snicket’s second mystery in his All the Wrong Questions series, he fails to deliver Snicket’s signature snark with appropriate vigor. In this episode, the main character, 12-year-old Lemony Snicket, continues the investigations that began in STAIN’D BY THE SEA with the case of the missing chemist, Cleo Knight. As Aiken delivers Snicket’s declarative sentences in a deadpan voice, his remote reading keeps listeners distant from the story. Furthermore, Aiken does not always play up the quirks of the town’s eccentric characters. When he does use individualized voicings, the story shakes off its languidness to some degree. Aiken’s melancholy narration echoes Snicket’s loneliness but doesn’t enliven the recording for young listeners. An attached PDF file includes the character Seth’s illustrations.
(Mystery. 8-14)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2013
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781478924845
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Jeff Harding voices the many impactful moments of 1919 in this engaging nonfiction audiobook. From women activists fighting for the right to vote to the Red Scare and civil rights riots, Sandler draws parallels to today's social issues. Harding matches 1919's cadence with a forward-moving pace. He uses different accents for quotations, though the women and people of color might have been better served with a diverse cast. The asides and timelines that appear in the text also are in the audio. Full of fascinating stories put into a modern context, this audiobook offers much to learn about an eventful year and ponders the big questions of our current time.
(Nonfiction. 11-16)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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