Author de la Cruz admits that the musical HAMILTON inspired this fiction loosely based on history. In this story Hamilton’s future wife, Elizabeth, becomes Eliza Schuyler, and Hamilton himself becomes Alex. The story attempts to flesh out their romance from their first meeting to their eventual marriage and honeymoon. Cassandra Campbell’s narration may engage young adults. She gets into Eliza’s head as she finds herself attracted to the dashing young Hamilton, while at the same time disliking him for his role in her father’s troubles. Campbell delivers the dialogue with some care to distinguish voices, giving Hamilton a gentleman’s tone and especially communicating Eliza’s playful banter. An author’s note would have been helpful to clarify fact versus fiction. But as a romance intended to appeal to young adults, this is an engaging listen.
(Historical fiction. 12-16)Pub Date: April 11, 2017
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780525492023
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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