Narrator Tara Sands winningly introduces the residents of Trowbridge Road, which is in suburban Boston. After 10-year-old Ziggy Carlo's mom brings him to live with his Nana Jean, he notices a girl sitting in a tree watching him. June Jordan lives nearby with her mother. Characters are memorably portrayed by Sands, with Nana Jean's compassionate warmth being the standout. Soon the kids help each other cope with their individual problems by entering a magical world. Sands emotively describes the beauty of nature, simple meals, and June's life with her agoraphobic mother, who became a germophobe after her husband's death from AIDS. Most appallingly, she demands that June take bleach baths to obliterate germs. The realistic yet inspiring conclusion will help kids with parents who have mental health problems.
(Historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781799767947
Publisher: Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Arserio perfectly captures Hafsa’s boldness as she fights for herself and others.
Narrator Shiromi Arserio establishes a determined voice for Hafsa, a Pakistani village girl who longs to attend a summer science camp focused on medicine in the city to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. At first, her parents firmly reject the idea, but after her sister’s husband insists that Hafsa could stay with them, her father relents. Arserio beautifully portrays Hafsa’s disappointment when she learns that the camp’s topic is climate change instead of medicine, and her resilience when she makes the most of it anyway. When Hafsa takes up the cause of finding a new home with better conditions for an elephant at the local zoo, Arserio’s energetic narration brings the story to life.
Arserio perfectly captures Hafsa’s boldness as she fights for herself and others. (Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280414
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
A heartfelt audiobook for the entire family to enjoy.
With a youthful voice, Jeff Ebner brings much emotion to this realistic middle-grade novel. Ten-year-old Nathan Savage is consumed with worry that the gigantic pile of trash across the street from his home is about to collapse. He’s even more worried that his father, who works at the top of said pile, is in extreme danger. It’s up to Nathan to devise a flawless plan to save the day. Ebner’s fast-paced, energetic narration moves the action along, engaging young listeners to the very last word.
A heartfelt audiobook for the entire family to enjoy. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280445
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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