Narrator Michael Crouch's expressive, youthful voice is pitch-perfect for Cal Lewis, an ambitious teen journalist and social media influencer who is uprooted from Brooklyn and dropped into suburban Texas when his dad joins NASA's mission to Mars. The Mars mission has captured America's imagination, thanks to "Shooting Stars," a reality show that is realistically presented to listeners in highly produced segments that feature upbeat musical cues and a stunning full cast of narrators. Jonathan Davis's poised performance as a duplicitous reality show host--whom Cal plans to expose--is an absolute standout. Even with the full cast, Crouch is never overshadowed, and his singular performance is filled with the emotional highs and lows the NASA families face as they look to the stars in this unique audio production.
(Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593171158
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
