Jennifer Ikeda leads the listener on Dulcie's road trip of discovery from California, where she and her mom have just moved, back home to her grandfather in Connecticut. Ikeda's youthful, understated voice conveys Dulcie's thoughts as she deals with her father's sudden death and her friend Roxanne's abusive mother. Ikeda's unhurried pacing evokes the folksy vignettes of Dulcie's cross-country drive and the quirks of her work as a high school student janitor. While Ikeda imbues the conflict between Roxanne and her mother with some drama, the production never loses the calm, idyllic quality that transcends even pain and loss. Ikeda does have a persistent sibilance that, while noticeable, should not prevent listening. Overall, this is an unusual story made accessible by a thoughtful narrator.
Young AdultPub Date: Feb. 4, 2006
Duration: 3 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai’s bright, youthful voice perfectly suits this coming-of-age story.
Narrator Mirai’s performance shows impressive nuance and range. After graduation, Finley feels secure with boyfriend Colin but resents spending a week apart while visiting her mother’s estranged family. Her distant, awkward relationship with Cat, her mom, emerges in halting arguments and uneasy pauses. At Aunt Liz’s diner, Finley meets new friends as her bond with Colin falters. She also meets cute and thoughtful Ben, a charmingly awkward guitarist. Learning why Cat left town—and why she’s back—pushes Finley toward resilience, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of both found and biological family. Mirai shifts from soft, dreamy confidence in Finley’s happiest moments to raucous sobs when bad news lands, vividly tracing the teen’s emotional arc.
Mirai’s bright, youthful voice perfectly suits this coming-of-age story. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668174463
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
There are no easy answers here, and Ramin’s journey is worth hearing.
Ramin Abbas is a devout Muslim Canadian teenager who loves music (show tunes, specifically) and who just might have a crush on the captain of his high school’s soccer team (aka Captain Handsome). He’s struggling to reconcile these things with his faith—especially after he’s forced to join the soccer team. Narrator Vikas Adam keeps listeners close to Ramin’s perspective, delivering the full range of his emotions and conveying both the funny moments and the heartrending ones. Adam’s characterizations of Ramin’s soccer bro teammates and his sweet if mercenary younger brother, Zayn, are appealing. His accents for Ramin’s Pakistani parents and the imam of their mosque add authenticity, and every “sorry” pronounced with a Canadian accent reminds listeners of the setting.
There are no easy answers here, and Ramin’s journey is worth hearing. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668160008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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