Narrator Kyla Garcia's light tone adds humor to the often sarcastic, sometimes self-deprecating Moon Fuentez. But lurking beneath is a darkness of negative beliefs about her appearance and past actions that Garcia makes palpable. Moon has always lived in the shadow of her media-influencer twin sister, Star. When Star lands an opportunity to promote herself on a cross-country tour, Moon goes along to handle the merch. The road trip turns into a journey of self-discovery during which Moon falls in love with a snarky but respectful man. Garcia gives depth of meaning to their repartee. More importantly, Moon learns to love herself. Themes of grief, trauma, abuse, and homophobia are balanced by lyrical prose, evocative sensory details, and bright bits of magical realism.
(Magical realism. 14-adult)Pub Date: Aug. 10, 2021
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797125497
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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
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