It’s inspiring to hear the voices of Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Gary Soto, Gwendolyn Brooks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others buoyed with jazz, rap, and hip-hop music. The CD is an accompaniment to the printed text—only 30 of the 51 poems have been recorded. The listener dives right into Eloise Greenfield's reading of "Things"—about the permanence of a poem—and each successive entry is just as immediate. Giovanni's excellent introduction to the poems and their beat is a bonus for listeners. With no page number references, it can be difficult to follow along in the book, which has vibrant illustrations and neat formatting. This great selection leaves listeners wishing for more. D.P.D. 2009 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
Ages 8+Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
Duration: 50 mins
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
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
An engaging performance by Cary Hite enlivens this accessible history of basketball for young listeners, with a focus on the men's game and an "overtime" section devoted to the women's. Hite narrates with relish and an audible appreciation for the sport's evolution from a glorified game of hot potato to today's fast-paced competitions. Hite gives listeners a courtside view of hardwood feats from legendary ballers as they elevate the game with signature moves and lead the way forward for successive generations of players alongside crucial developments, such as the introduction of shot clocks and the Harlem Globetrotters' skillful, exciting play style. This informative production, paired with a warm and assured narration, has appeal for all ages.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654729
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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