Narrator Grover Gardner is an unobtrusive narrator. That's not to say he sounds disinterested. Quite the opposite. He's clearly fascinated by the drama of the race between the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroads to connect the nation. But his understated style lets the story itself carry listeners along. With steady pacing, Gardner mirrors the relentless rate of the six-year undertaking. He uses pauses and emphasis to call attention to important people--from Leland Stanford to the single woman on the entire project--as well as to specifics such as the discrimination against Chinese workers, the confrontations with Native Americans, and the solutions to thorny technical problems such as how to drill rock away on a narrow ledge. An epilogue details the subsequent lives of the key players of the transcontinental railroad.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2015
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781491588451
Publisher: Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An engaging performance by Cary Hite enlivens this accessible history of basketball for young listeners, with a focus on the men's game and an "overtime" section devoted to the women's. Hite narrates with relish and an audible appreciation for the sport's evolution from a glorified game of hot potato to today's fast-paced competitions. Hite gives listeners a courtside view of hardwood feats from legendary ballers as they elevate the game with signature moves and lead the way forward for successive generations of players alongside crucial developments, such as the introduction of shot clocks and the Harlem Globetrotters' skillful, exciting play style. This informative production, paired with a warm and assured narration, has appeal for all ages.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654729
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Nekia Renee Martin guides listeners through a surprisingly comprehensive account of 19th-century African American resistance. Despite the title, the chronological territory covered ranges well beyond abolition and the Civil War to Reconstruction and the beginnings of Jim Crow. Martin's strong yet musical narration introduces youngsters to such touch points as the slave trade, the Underground Railroad, the Dred Scott decision, Black soldiers in the Union Army, the Freedmen's Bureau, and more. Kids will meet a panoply of notable Black individuals, including journalists, inventors, statesmen, and activists. There's so much information that the audiobook has a hodgepodge feel. Martin's steady cadence helps keep listeners oriented to this serviceable introduction to African American history.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217157105
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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