Marc Thompson gives distinct, youthful voices to each of three children—Giuseppe, an orphaned street musician; Frederick, an apprentice clockmaker; and Hannah, a hotel maid—whose lives in a fictional American port city in the late nineteenth century become linked as each strives to achieve a better life. Thompson’s narration smoothly makes believable the transition from the children’s separate stories to their shared adventure as they solve the mystery of a hidden treasure—complete with steampunk elements involving a clockwork automaton with the heart of a golem, who becomes their protector. Thompson’s stellar performance of a tale with a host of interesting characters and plot twists is a most satisfying listening experience.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780545285360
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
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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