by Rick Riordan ; read by Jesse Berns ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 13, 2006
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
This action-packed book (second in a series) will delight fans of Percy Jackson, the half-blood son of Poseidon, as Percy once again battles mythical monsters in modern-day settings while on his mission to save the tree that guards Camp Half-Blood. Narrator Jesse Berns helps listeners slip right into the oddly engaging world that Riordan creates, in which contemporary teen characters and those from classical mythology intermingle. Berns is so good at accurately portraying teenagers that it’s hard to recall he isn’t one; Percy’s sarcasm and disdainful tones (“Dude?”) are just right, though Berns also reveals his ability to become a satyr, cyclops, or guinea pig (“Reep! Reep!”) as required. Berns keeps the pace masterfully taut while also allowing listeners time to revel in the book’s humor.
(Fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: June 13, 2006
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
by Lloyd Alexander ; illustrated by David Wyatt ; read by Chris King ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
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
by Helen Cresswell ; illustrated by Kate Aldous ; read by Judy Bennett ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.