Sandy Rustin deftly introduces 12-year-old Emmie Ethrige, her school, and friends. Impressively independent, Emmie is saving to buy a sport wheelchair in order to participate in motocross events. Emmie and her best friend, Ale, sell Spanish moss, pine cones, and wheelchair bags to make money for their projects. Rustin movingly presents Emmie and her dad as they cope with the loss of her mother, who was her fiercest defender. Things fall apart when self-sufficient Emmie is given her own teacher aide and a fundraiser to purchase a wheelchair (which she planned to purchase herself) is begun. Rustin thoughtfully handles the awkward situations Emmie must navigate to protect her autonomy. Family life, a budding romance, and coping with challenges make for an uplifting yet realistic listen.
(Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781705060704
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ken Coleman's expertise as a baseball announcer enriches this history of the Boston Red Sox since the sale of Babe Ruth to the N.Y. Yankees. He leads off with a grim account of this transaction, which started the curse that has plagued the Red Sox ever since. The sermon-like tone will amuse non-believers and comfort listeners who are certain the team is cursed. Like the ups and downs of Boston's play through the years, the narrator's voice fluctuates--exuberant and then despondent--in tone and tempo accurately reflecting the mood of any given baseball season. The narrator is very successful at conveying the emotional roller coaster ride Red Sox fans have endured as a result of the curse of the Bambino.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Guevara hits a homer with her upbeat delivery of one girl’s quest to “play ball!”
Attention to detail marks this nonfiction production narrated by Daisy Guevara. Listeners will hear music and many baseball-related sound effects, including the flipping of pages in the Little League rule book—no girls allowed! In 1972, Maria Pepe was playing Little League baseball with the backing of her coach and teammates. Opposing teams protested. Despite her proficiency, Maria was banned. The National Organization of Women, however, helped Maria sue and win the right for future girls to play Little League. Guevara is superb in creating character voices for the young, earnest Maria and for the supportive adults. She employs darker voices for the comments of the men who resented and intimidated Maria.
Guevara hits a homer with her upbeat delivery of one girl’s quest to “play ball!” (Picture-book biography. 5-7)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654705
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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