Christopher Gebauer narrates this story of Orthodox Jewish Ezra, the Chosen One, who has trained his whole life for two things: Yeshiva study and defeating a monster upon his bar mitzvah to ensure an age of peace. But strange events leading up to that fateful day make him question his mission. Gebauer excels at the indignant tones and youthful energy of preteen boys. Some of his Yiddish and Hebrew pronunciations seem noticeably off, like the word for Mom, "Ema." His Hebrew "ch" sounds in words like "Chorvos Hagoral" and "Chanukah" sound as forced. Adults and rabbinical elders are presented respectfully, yet they sound standoffish, which serves to make the listener sympathize with the desperation voiced by the youth as they ask to be listened to.
(Fantasy mystery. 8-14)Pub Date: July 22, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798896793465
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Swayam Bhatia helps listeners imagine the feisty spirit of North Indian Simi Singh, a 12-year-old who meets school and field hockey challenges handily. Bhatia reflects Simi's fear when threats come from a prejudiced classmate and the comfort she finds in her loving extended family. Bhatia depicts Simi's personality as her parents' interfaith Sikh-Muslim marriage puts the family's safety at risk, and they must flee the country. While Simi's father is successful at legally gaining entry to the U.S., Simi and her mother must attempt a perilous journey to enter from Mexico with coyotes. Amid mounting pressures, both Simi's fear and courage build. When she becomes separated from her mother, Bhatia depicts her resourcefulness and resilience, as well as the kindness of strangers.
(Fiction. 8-13)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781546176954
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Michelle Weisborn vividly portrays Evie Steinberg. Weisborn's youthful tone reflects Evie's delight when she moves to Southern California and discovers that Dara, her BFF from summer camp, goes to her new school. Weisborn also captures the anxious yet determined feelings of the seventh grader who demands perfection from herself after messing up her father's cryptozoology work. Soon, Evie is shocked to learn that Dara has told her schoolmates that Evie is weird and a liar. Evie sets out to expel the cruel golem who surely must have taken over Dara and works to regain her father's trust. Weisborn evenly handles themes that range from bullying and expectations--one's own and those of others--to self-acceptance.
(Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547613083
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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