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THE TRUTH ABOUT MARTIANS

Narrator Lincoln Hoppe conveys a range of emotions in this historical fiction reminiscent of E.T. and set in 1947 Roswell, New Mexico. One night, after witnessing a crash next to his ranch, 11-year-old Mylo, whose brother has recently died, hears a mysterious voice in his head "whisper-scream" for help. Mylo and his best friend, Dibs, venture into the desert and find the wreckage of a flying saucer. Hoppe's portrayal of Mylo is thoughtful and serious, while Dibs's openhearted enthusiasm and swagger bring humor. These contrasts effectively balance Mylo's heartrending grief with the more adventurous aspects of the story. Listeners will relate to the boys' genuine friendship, though contemporary listeners may be jarred by a scene that describes playing "cowboys and Indians."

Ages 8+

Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018

Duration: 9 hrs

DD ISBN: 9780525635833

Publisher: Listening Library

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    THE BOOK OF THREE

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    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

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      POSY BATES, AGAIN

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      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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