Originally published in 1965, the first book in Madeleine L'Engle's O'Keefe family series is narrated with appropriate formality by Michael Crouch, whose delivery suits the old-fashioned storytelling. Sixteen-year old marine biology student Adam Eddington travels to an island off the coast of Portugal to work with Dr. O'Keefe, who is investigating the possibility of using the regenerative properties of starfish with humans. Nefarious interest in this research plunges Adam into the middle of dangerous international intrigue. Crouch keeps the harrowing adventure moving with changes in pacing and inflection, but his precise, academic tone for the quieter scenes intensifies the somewhat dated nature of the story. Still, the book serves up valuable topics for high school units on philosophy, religion, science, and ethics.
Young AdultPub Date: April 19, 2016
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101917251
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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