Luke Daniels adopts a serious and authoritative reportorial tone to deliver Aronson's important biography of J. Edgar Hoover and chronicle of his influence on the U.S. The result is a fascinating, and sometimes sinister, documentary—and a call to action for teens to educate themselves about today's governments and the people who occupy positions of power. Aronson engages with his teen audience by connecting the history to things they're more familiar with—9/11, the Patriot Act—and Daniels's strong, compelling reading drives the narrative. Well-done bonus material makes available the same photos and documents from the print book, complete with audio captions narrated by Daniels. Endnotes, read by the author, are personal and fascinating. There’s plenty to learn, and plenty to think about, for teens and adults alike.
(Nonfiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 24, 2012
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781455852352
Publisher: Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Lipica Shah's stirring narration of this YA biography showcases Emma Goldman's unshakable commitment to improving the lives of the oppressed. In 1885, Goldman immigrated to the U.S. from czarist Russia and became an ardent anarchist. A prolific writer and inspirational speaker, she gave hundreds of well-attended speeches each year. When quoting Goldman, Shah exudes the intensity of her quest to elevate America's working class. When quoting from any of the thousands of period newspaper articles about Goldman, Shah mimics their predominantly disapproving tone. Goldman was even imprisoned because of her progressive positions on government, workers' rights, sex, and birth control. Never deterred, Goldman was once considered the most dangerous woman in America.
(Biography. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250415134
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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