In 1860, three horsemen arrive in the middle of the night, forcing Martin Bird to go with them and changing his 12-year-old son Silas's life forever. Narrator Ian M. Hawkins brings to life this atmospheric story of the power and resilience of love as he gives the large cast of characters unique voices. Pa's calm voice lives on in Silas's head, reminding him of the knowledge and skills he has. When the bald-faced pony reappears, Silas, sounding fearful but determined, mounts and, with Mittenwool, his life-long ghost companion, he follows Pa. Hawkins voices the gruff, gravelly voiced Marshall Farmer, calm Sheriff Chalfont, skeptical Deputy Beautyman, and smug Ollerenshaw with equal ease. Palacio shares her author's note in a friendly voice, providing fascinating historical context on the American frontier.
(Historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 19, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593501184
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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
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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