Gentle and evenly voiced Susie Berneis narrates the story of Benno the cat, who lives at 5 Rosenstrasse and observes all that happens on the street. A welcome visitor in the apartments in the building, Benno knows how Sophie Adler and Inge Schmidt spend their days at home, at school, and on the playground. He then sees changes taking place as brown-shirted men unsettle the peace of the street. Throughout, Berneis's voice is as quiet as the cat's paws--no raised pitch and no tone of alarm in her voice. Her pace slows such that listeners have time to question why such strange events would be happening--books burned, windows broken, people hurrying along with down-turned eyes, some stores open and some not. Adults will need to listen with children so that a discussion can be started about Benno, his world, and Kristallnacht.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 8 mins
DD ISBN: 9781633799271
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Rey’s timeless performance makes this medieval adventure fascinating, frightening, and fun.
Elena Rey holds listeners’ attention firmly in her grasp with her narration of this middle-grade historical fiction. Twelve-year-old Blanca is chosen by her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, to marry the prince of France. As Blanca travels from Spain, she learns lessons about how to be a queen from Eleanor and lessons about life from the difficult journey. Rey voices young Blanca, Queen Eleanor, and various male characters with equal aplomb. Eleanor sounds imperious and aged; Blanca is assuredly royal yet a still preteen; and the knights are chivalrous, pompous, and a bit overzealous. Rey’s royal harrumphs and sniffs and childish scoffs and whines add to the enjoyable soundscape.
Rey’s timeless performance makes this medieval adventure fascinating, frightening, and fun. (Historical fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217287901
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Higginbottom captures Rose’s spirited determination and anger as she fights for her existence.
Narrator Erin Higginbottom creates a youthful voice for 12-year-old Rose, whose native Métis community is being threatened by Canadian settlers during the North-West Resistance of 1885. Rose has always been drawn to more traditionally male activities, and when a battle breaks out between her people and the Canadian soldiers, she desperately wants to contribute. Finally, her opportunity arrives, and she volunteers for a dangerous mission that could help make a difference. Higginbottom brings Rose and her family to life in this historical story of standing in resistance alongside those you love in the face of great danger.
Higginbottom captures Rose’s spirited determination and anger as she fights for her existence. (Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547614776
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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